From the corner of the tiny Rutgers locker room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the team’s two star freshmen were sitting practically shoulder to shoulder when they were asked each of them a natural question after the end of a disappointing season.

When it comes to basketball — or even athletic greatness — there are no seals of approval that could possibly carry more weight with a player, with the exception of Michael Jordan.

Harper led Rutgers against USC with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a losing effort. He put the team on his back in both overtime periods with star teammate Ace Bailey fouling out at the end of regulation. The first-round defeat dropped the Scarlet Knights to 15-17 on the year, far outside of the 2025 March Madness pool.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have had a tough time this season, but Dylan Harper knows they still have a chance to turn some heads.

Rutgers star freshman Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey likely played their last games at Jersey Mike's Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Dylan Harper scored 22 points and made several key plays down the stretch for Rutgers to pull out a 75-67 overtime victory over Minnesota on Sunday in Piscataway, N.J.