INDIANAPOLIS — An expected showdown turned sour for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Wednesday night as they crumbled against the USC Trojans, succumbing to a 97-89 double overtime defeat at the Big Ten Tournament, marking the end of their season.
The game, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, was full of momentum swings, with both teams battling hard. Rutgers, seeded 11th, sought to capitalize on their previous victory over the Trojans when they defeated USC by 10 points just last month. The 14th-seeded Trojans, on the other hand, proved to be formidable foes, with Desmond Claude scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points after halftime, as noted by ESPN.
USC jumped out to an early lead, starting the game with a 24-12 advantage, quickly extending it to 15 points before going to halftime with the score at 41-30. Despite their struggles, Rutgers climbed back with determination. Dylan Harper led the Scarlet Knights, tallying 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, igniting the team’s ambition to rally back from the edge of elimination.
"It was heartbreaking to not convert those last moments," said Harper post-game, capturing the sentiment felt by his teammates. The Scarlet Knights battled valiantly and managed to slice the deficit to just five at 48-43 shortly after halftime.
With only 5:14 remaining, Harper hit a pivotal three-pointer to give Rutgers its first lead of the game, 62-61. From there, the lead see-sawed as both teams exchanged blows and made their respective claims for victory.
Then came the most dramatic moment: Rutgers held a four-point advantage with 2:28 on the clock, but USC's Desmond Claude refused to go down quietly. He executed a well-timed driving layup with just seconds left, tying the game at 73-73 after Harper missed his last shot attempt for the win. Overtime loomed.
During the first overtime period, the intensity heightened. Claude drew even with Rutgers again, scoring to tie it at 79, before facing off against Harper yet again, as each side failed to capitalize on their shot opportunities. Harper's airballed three-point attempt sent them to double overtime where USC’s dominance would become undeniable.
USC opened up the second overtime with swift and decisive plays, including consecutive three-pointers from Wesley Yates III and Rashaun Agee, gathering momentum and allowing the Trojans to build and hold on to a lead as high as eight points.
Rutgers relied on Ace Bailey, putting forth 17 points and seven rebounds, but he would eventually foul out and leave the pressure on the remaining players. The Trojans powered through with more consistent scoring down the stretch to close the 8-point gap, leading to their eventual victory and passage to face Purdue the following day.
Despite the heartache felt by the Scarlet Knights, their defensive strategy proved effective at times. Coach Steve Pikiell emphasized full-court pressure, disrupting USC’s offensive rhythm and producing 31 points off 17 turnovers.
"We fought hard, but our early mistakes proved costly. It’s something we need to reflect on as we head to next season," Coach Pikiell stated, setting the tone for reevaluation.
Looking at the statistics, the Scarlet Knights clearly struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, finishing 6-of-30 (20%) from three-point range. The effort from their bench, which scored 32 points against only five from USC’s reserves, demonstrates their overall potential yet exposes the depth needed to improve.
With the big season now at rest, questions loom over the future of key players. Harper and Bailey are projected to enter the NBA Draft, likely leaving the Scarlet Knights needing to adapt quickly for the upcoming season. Their absence sparks concern over how Rutgers will move forward without two standout players.
Looking beyond this season, Rutgers holds the possibility of competing in the College Basketball Crown set to start on March 31, 2025, yet the path remains murky as only tasking decisions await the coaching staff.
With the tournament's conclusion, Rutgers must regroup, reflect, and recalibrate to regain footing as this transition period could define their next moves leading up to the new season.