Rutgers came into this game vs. Northwestern looking to snap a two-game skid after losses to Michigan State and Penn State. But there was another problem. One of their two freshman stars was out. Dylan Harper couldn’t hit the court due to an ankle injury, and that could’ve been a huge issue. But guess what? Ace Bailey made sure fans didn’t even miss him. The baller went absolutely off.

With Harper sidelined, Bailey took over, dropping a ridiculous 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting. And he wasn’t just putting up numbers—he was efficient, hitting a career-high five threes on eight attempts. And most of that damage came in the first half. 

By halftime, he had already poured in 24 points, setting the tone for Rutgers’ much-needed 79-72 road win over Northwestern. The guard came just two points shy of breaking Rutgers’ freshman scoring record, but this was still a statement performance. 

The freshman is now leading the team, averaging 19.8 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 46.9% from the field. And by the way, he now has two 35+ point games this season. This one and his 39-point explosion vs. Indiana. The Scarlet Knights couldn’t clinch that one, though.

That puts him right up there with Dylan Harper, who also has two 35-plus games against Alabama and Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg has only got one vs Notre Dame. But honestly, this comparison between the three is not going anywhere. After all, they are at the top of the 2025 draft.

Bleacher Report’s latest mock has Flagg at No. 1, with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey going Nos. 2 and 3. So, if Bulls fans were hoping to see one of them in Chicago, well, it’s going to take some serious lottery luck.

Harper got the early jump in draft talks after back-to-back monster performances against Notre Dame and Alabama in November. Meanwhile, Bailey took his time heating up, but now he’s on fire. This was his third 30-point game in Big Ten play. 

Could this momentum land him with the New Orleans Pelicans?

Pelicans’ rough season could have a silver lining with Ace Bailey

This has not been a great season for the New Orleans Pelicans. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and just a whole lot of frustration. But there’s a chance it could all turn around with a little bit of luck in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery. 

Unlike other struggling teams, the Pelicans aren’t in full rebuild mode. They already have a solid core, and once they get healthy, they could be right back. An early pick in the draft could be just what they need to reload instead of restarting.

And if Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is right, Ace Bailey might be that guy. According to Wasserman, Bailey has looked a lot better lately—attacking the rim, finishing with his length, and making defenses pay with his floater game. He’s also been knocking down threes at a high rate.

Plus his defense has been improving too, with more deflections and shot contests. Simply put, Bailey’s game is evolving, and that’s got NBA scouts paying attention. Now, if Brandon Ingram decides to leave in free agency, Bailey could slide right into that role. 

At 6’10”, he’s one of the best midrange shooters among prospects. Although his season didn’t start off great, and early on, his BPM (Box Plus/Minus) was a concerning 2.1. But he’s turned things around in a big way.

The Rutgers star’s BPM has now jumped to 4.9 and he’s proving he belongs in top-pick conversations. Whether he ends up in New Orleans or elsewhere, his late-season surge could be all that he needed to boost draft stock. 

So, for the time being, we wait and see how it all plays out.