Rutgers Basketball’s Freshmen Phenoms Show Promise Amidst Exhibition Loss to St. John’s

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team opened their preseason with a thrilling exhibition game against St. John's at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway. The young and promising Rutgers squad, featuring standout freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, delivered an exciting performance before succumbing to a comeback by St. John’s, who emerged victorious with a 91-85 win.

Harper and Bailey dazzled the crowd of 4,200 with their offensive prowess, contributing a combined 45 points. Harper, who scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, and Bailey, who added 25 points including 4-of-9 from three-point range, highlighted their potential as future stars. However, their inexperience showed in the game’s critical moments.

“It’ll pay off in dividends down the line,” said team captain Zach Martini, commenting on the team’s learning experience. Martini noted areas for improvement, including rebounding and ball-handling down the stretch. St. John’s capitalized on these weaknesses during their comeback, closing the game with a decisive 14-2 run.

Ranked No. 25 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, Rutgers saw its lead shrink as St. John’s showcased impressive resilience. This performance hinted at the Red Storm’s potential to be ranked themselves, despite falling short of the poll.

Jeremiah Williams, co-captain for Rutgers, highlighted the importance of learning how to win tightly contested games. He mentioned that every possession and detail matter, especially with many new players needing time to gel. “We know we’re still 0-0, but we approach it like it’s real,” Williams said of the game’s atmosphere.

St. John’s was led by the exceptional performance of Zuby Ejiofor, who dominated the paint with 27 points and 13 rebounds. His impact was particularly felt in the second half, when he helped rally his team from a 13-point deficit. “I feel Zuby stepped into a big role. He’s a captain, he’s a leader,” said teammate RJ Luis, who also contributed significantly with 22 points and six rebounds.

Coach Steve Pikiell of Rutgers acknowledged the need for adjustments, especially in rebounding, an area where his team was outperformed. “The backboards obviously hurt us,” Pikiell mentioned repeatedly, highlighting the challenge of compensating for the departure of standout center Cliff Omoruyi.

Despite the exhibition nature of the game, the event drew significant interest, with a turnout of about 4,240 fans and considerable media presence. Proceeds from the ticket sales benefited the V Foundation for Cancer Research, adding a charitable angle to the electrifying night.

For Rutgers, the promising display by freshmen and bench players like Jordan Derkack and P.J. Hayes provides optimism for the upcoming season, while St. John’s victory underscored their potential under coach Rick Pitino‘s leadership.