LAS VEGAS — Since he was employed in 2019, Nate Oats has coached three freshmen who ultimately turned first-round NBA draft picks, together with Brandon Miller, the previous SEC Participant of the 12 months and the No. 2 choose in 2023.
After projected top-five picks Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey mixed to attain 59 factors for Rutgers, albeit in a 95-90 loss to No. 9 Alabama on Wednesday within the Gamers Period Pageant, Oats mentioned he was satisfied the duo belongs in the identical dialog with the opposite elite freshmen he has witnessed in faculty basketball.
“We have had a pair ourselves,” the Alabama coach mentioned, “and these guys are up there.”
Harper, a 6-foot-6 guard, scored a career-high 37 factors, turning into the primary Massive Ten freshman up to now 20 seasons to attain 94 factors in a three-game span and the primary Division I freshman in that span to document back-to-back efforts of 35-plus factors, in response to ESPN Analysis.
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Harper, who shot 11-of-19 from the sphere and 15-of-16 from the free throw line, produced his finest sport up to now on the MGM Grand Backyard Area as his father, former NBA standout Ron Harper Sr., sat courtside.
Oats mentioned he could not discover a system to decelerate Harper, whose layup with 2:23 left lower Alabama’s result in one earlier than the Tide closed out the sport on the free throw line.
“[Harper], I imply he just about will get to the rim at any time when he desires,” he mentioned. “We did not have anyone that might keep in entrance of him on ball screens. We did not do an excellent job. I imply he is obtained some drive, some physicality, some power coming down the hill.”
Bailey, a 6-foot-10 expertise who may problem Duke’s Cooper Flagg for the highest spot within the upcoming NBA draft, additionally excelled Wednesday, largely with high-arching bounce photographs that appeared unblockable.
Bailey completed a first-half quick break with a dunk that energized the Rutgers followers who made the journey. Bailey pounded his chest and flexed on his technique to 22 factors on 9-of-18 taking pictures from the sphere.
“He is the perfect midrange shot-maker I’ve seen,” Oats mentioned about Bailey. “He simply sort of rises up over guys. The floaters with the contact, he is powerful. We did not do an amazing job. We would have liked extra dimension on him. He is a man that if you do not have dimension on him, he is simply taking pictures over 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 guards and he will trigger some issues.”
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell mentioned the powerful checks early will assist his crew later within the season. For now, he has a bunch that’s nonetheless studying whereas counting on a few elite first-year skills, he mentioned.
“I feel it is like something, the journey,” he mentioned. “You develop by means of your seasons and also you develop by means of the video games and that is as gifted a crew as we’re most likely going to face. It is undoubtedly the deepest crew.”
Harper mentioned he is extra targeted on the loss than his particular person effort. However he additionally mentioned the rising pains his crew endured Wednesday will show to be helpful as he and Bailey proceed to develop throughout their first season of faculty basketball.
“I feel we simply confirmed that we are able to compete with anybody within the nation,” he mentioned after the sport. “I imply, clearly we fell brief, however I really feel like as a crew, generally you need to fall brief to be able to have the season you need to have.”
Regardless of the victory, Oats talked like a coach who thought his crew had misplaced. Alabama, which is ranked No. 3 within the nation in adjusted offensive effectivity on KenPom, had 20 turnovers and in addition weathered a prolonged scoring drought within the second half.
Oats mentioned Rutgers would proceed to get higher, particularly as Harper and Bailey develop. And that actuality will create issues for the remainder of the groups on its schedule.
“In the event that they play like they did tonight, they’re top-of-the-line groups within the nation,” Oats mentioned. “They have two of essentially the most gifted gamers, no matter class.”
