Recent game: Dawson Garcia v Ace Bailey is the comparison that explains the season

[ru-baby]

Ace-Top 3 pick stated whenever RU plays. Garcia-projected as undrafted free agent

Even putting aside the B10 post season teams that value Garcia more, it is clear from the eye test that Garcia is a far better college player. Not even arguable. Will Ace be better in the future--that's the thought.

The relevance? So much hand wringing about "two top 5 picks" and the results. That premise has dominated the discussion.

But it's not reality as to expected results. We don't have two top 5 college players MUCH LESS two top 5 B 10 players. We have two players with great potential, who have just recently shown any D understanding. What is to be expected when a team has 2 all B10 third teamers? Kinda what we got, when there is no one else close to all conference. The premise of "top 5" anything has little to do with cbb results.

So would expectations have been greater with Harper AND Garcia? Likely not. But the results would surely have been better as Garcia is a better college player. The hue and cry has graded this season AS IF Harper and Bailey were top 5 players NOW.

The point is that comparing players needs to be considered as to the standard. Yes much has been said around this, but direct expectations on reality has been a little less stated. Podcasts have ben devoted to the failure with top picks. The question is results with the level of college players that are on the team.

Better future-Ace
Better player now--garcia
More impact on 2025 season garcia
Wish we could see a fully developed Ace and Dylan in coming years at RU rather than the forming or becoming period.

 

[Danielson381]

Garcia is 23 yrs old. C’mon man. Can imagine what Ace would be at 23 yrs old at Rutgers? No comparison smh

 

[wheezer]

Garcia is 23 yrs old. C’mon man. Can imagine what Ace would be at 23 yrs old at Rutgers? No comparison smh

Point is that two freshmen with very good pro potential.are not as good, in college, as an older player as shown here

Thus, the expectations for us were off

 

[RUinParkRidge]

Point is that two freshmen with very good pro potential.are not as good, in college, as an older player as shown here

Thus, the expectations for us were off

I don't think the expectations for us would have been off if Pike had brought in better players in the portal.

 

[Rutgers25]

Ace is extremely raw. His ranking was on potential, which is frustrating because Duke’s 2 frosh phenoms in Kon and Cooper are way more polished. Harper (notwithstanding the injuries) was more along the lines of what you would expect in an elite recruit. Ace was a baby out there and frankly will need a couple years in the league before he makes any difference.