Since he was hired in 2019, Nate Oats has coached three freshmen who eventually became first-round NBA draft picks, including Brandon Miller, the former SEC Player of the Year and the No. 2 pick in 2023.

The Rutgers basketball team has had an up and down start to its highly-anticipated season, but its two freshmen have not disappointed. Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper — two projected top-five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft — have carried a massive burden for the Scarlet Knights as they navigate a very difficult non-conference schedule.

Mark Sears scored 24 points and No. 9 Alabama hung on for a 95-90 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday night at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

Dylan Harper dropped a career-high 36 points and Rutgers fended off Matt Allocco and Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime to conclude a wild first day of the Players Era Festival on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

“Only five D-I freshmen have had 36 points, six rebounds and six assists since 2010: Dylan Harper is the first since Trae Young in 2018,” Rutgers said in their postgame notes.

Dylan Harper scored a career-high 36 points and Rutgers held off Notre Dame for an 85-84 overtime victory in the Players Era Festival.

When Rutgers and Notre Dame get together, 40 minutes in regulation is just not enough. It’s been two years since the Irish outlasted Rutgers in a high-scoring, overtime battle in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.