The Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced Seton Hall with a 6-4 record, aiming to secure a crucial victory after winning just two of their last five games. They achieved their goal in dramatic fashion, clinching the win with Dylan Harper’s buzzer-beater in the final second. However, fans were less impressed, attributing the game’s outcome more to the opponent’s lackluster performance than Harper’s heroic shot.

With six seconds remaining, Seton Hall tied the game at 63-63 by converting two free throws. Rutgers then called a timeout to strategize their final play. When the game resumed, Dylan Harper seized the moment, dribbling quickly toward the opponent’s basket.

As the clock neared its final second, Harper launched a three-pointer from well beyond the arc. The ball swished through the net, securing a dramatic game-winning shot and delivering victory for the Scarlet Knights. Harper tallied a game-high 24 points, adding a few rebounds and assists. Impressively, his game-winner was his fourth three-pointer, with a remarkable 57.1% accuracy from beyond the arc.

However, fans took to social media with mixed reactions. While some praised Harper’s clutch shot, others criticized Seton Hall’s lax defense and questioned an alleged travel during his final play.

Dylan Harper’s heroics overshadowed by Seton Hall’s defensive lapses and travel controversy

Seton Hall’s defense faltered in the game’s final moments, appearing passive rather than actively challenging Dylan Harper. Instead of pressuring him, they allowed Harper to take the crucial shot, leaving fans baffled. This lack of urgency from Seton Hall, especially with the game tied, drew sharp criticism from fans, overshadowing Harper’s impressive buzzer-beater.

One fan labeled their defensive effort “The laziest defense I’ve ever seen to get on the BALL,” expressing frustration at their failure to contest the play effectively. Instead of closing in, the defense backed off, giving Harper ample space to execute the buzzer-beater. Another fan echoed this sentiment, questioning the defensive strategy. Another fan highlighted the error and wrote: “why did he give him so much space to shoot lmao.”

While many criticized Seton Hall’s defense, some fans pointed out that Harper might have traveled with the ball during his swift drive to the basket. At one point, he appeared to hold the ball momentarily, leading to speculation that his pace masked a potential violation. Fans expressed their doubts, with one commenting, “We really just don’t call carrying or traveling anymore huh 😂.” Another noted similar missed violations earlier, saying, “I feel like there was at least one travel there, maybe three.”

While criticisms of traveling and Seton Hall’s passive defense might overshadow Dylan Harper’s heroics, his buzzer-beating shot was undeniably crucial. Without it, the Rutgers could have faced an unpredictable overtime. A fan acknowledged Harper’s clutch performance but also pointed out that Seton Hall’s defense barely contested him, allowing him to execute freely. “Clutch shot for sure, but no effort to defend Harper by Dual at all, let Harper do whatever he wanted.”

This balance of admiration for Harper’s decisive play and critique of his opponent’s lackluster effort highlights the complexities of the game’s dramatic ending. Now, Rutgers shifts focus to their upcoming matchup against Princeton on December 20, aiming to extend their winning streak to three.