Through the first seven games of the season, Ron Harper Jr. was playing like an All-American and a First Team All-Big Ten player. When you have good game, the team you play next is going to make sure you don’t have one. He has only exceeded 13 points in a game twice and grabbed more than 6 rebounds just three times. I am a ninth-generation Lancaster countian. The biggest issue for Rutgers is that he seems to get worn down mentally after missing a few shots from three-point range, leading him to defer to others down the stretch of games. He was an outstanding defender last season and was even named preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by Lindy’s this fall. 3 Michigan, the Scarlet Knights are in a strong position to close out the regular season in a big way. While he didn’t look 100% healthy and was just 5 of 15 from the floor for 13 points, Harper Jr. still made 3 of 8 from behind the arc and had 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Rutgers is 1-3 all-time in the building. “I loved it,” Harper told Rutgers247 on Thursday. I thought it was time to take a more detailed look at his overall performance and the potential path for him to ultimately break out of the funk he is currently in. He’s the number one guy on the scouting report now too, and he’s got to understand that,” said head men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell in a recent interview. Last season’s recipient of the award was Obi Toppin. Ron’s learning to live as the top guy on the scouting report.”. Ron Harper Jr. (6’6” junior forward) remains Rutgers’ most important player; currently averaging 18 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. In his third season with the Scarlet Knights (10-6, 6-6), Harper Jr. is averaging a team-high 17.3 points per game. Harper Jr. and Rutgers will take the floor next on Thursday against Minnesota at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Examining the struggles of Ron Harper Jr. Includes how to watch, stats and keys to victory. Ron Harper Jr. finishes with an alley-oop jam. One positive over the past month plus is that Harper Jr. has been effective offensively in other ways. The Scarlet Knights picked up another big-time commit in the Class of 2022. While I made a name with investigative reporting that has put a school superintendent in jail, toppled a judge, and forced a powerful state lawmaker to resign from office in disgrace, my best, behind-the-scenes work you never hear about! He returned the following game on January 2, which was the first meeting against Iowa this season. 1Y; 0:30. “I thought Rutgers was a great place. Harper Jr. is the son of retired NBA player Ron Harper, who played 15 seasons in the NBA and won five NBA championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. You almost never see him fadeaway from the basket when taking a shot and he has almost abandoned posting up defenders. 21 Rutgers past Syracuse, 79-69 Ron Harper Jr. scored 26 points and No. Ron Harper Jr. — son of Ron Harper. His scoring average has boosted from 12.1 points per game last season to 17.6 points per game this season, while also strengthening many of his shooting percentages. The picture I used for this article in the lead shows Harper Jr. being double teamed by Luka Garza and Jordan Bohannon. Over the last five games, Harper Jr. has stepped up from the line, making 18 of 22 for 81.8% from the charity stripe. The rim was looking large for him, as he was shooting 56.4% from the floor and 50% from three-point range on 50 attempt. 3M; 0:18. Ron Harper Jr Date of birth: April 12, 2000 Height: 6’4″ Position: G/F. Today Ron Harper Jr. is one of the best wings in college basketball and a focal point as 19th-ranked Rutgers (5-0 overall, 1-0 … The most glaring deficiency in his performance has been his three-point shooting. In the nine games since his return against Iowa, Harper Jr. has averaged just 11.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. 24 Rutgers beat Hofstra 70-56 By MATT SUGAM Associated Press November 30, 2020, 2:14 A… Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And Like ZAGS on Facebook. 2022 4-star LB Anthony Johnson commits to Rutgers. I can bring the ball up, set a screen, get a rebound, defend. He has made just 5 of 40 attempts for 12.5% during this stretch, including 0 of 16 over the last four games. But the younger Harper … Junior guard Ron Harper Jr. contributed 14 points as the Rutgers men's basketball team defeated Northwestern for the second time this season. I like to think that I can do it all.”. Not only would attacking the rim generate more high percentage shots than he is taking right now, it would also get Harper Jr. consistent trips to the foul line. The past three contests specifically are concerning in that he has averaged just 2.7 rebounds and committed 6 turnovers, after only having 7 turnovers in the previous 14 games. PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Ron Harper Jr. had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Myles Johnson controlled the paint with 12 points and 14 rebounds and No. 17 Rutgers men’s lacrosse upsets no. He's a matchup nightmare (due to) his size, his strength and his versatility.”. Ron Harper Jr. added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights (8-6, 4-6 Big Ten), who picked up their first ever win at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. It’s not the level we’ve come to expect from him, especially for a player named to the late season Top 20 Watch List for the Wooden Award, which is given to the national player of the year. Harper, whose son is Rutgers junior wing Ron Harper Jr., took to Twitter and voiced his frustration after Johnson gained two fouls in the first half’s opening 69 seconds and Omoruyi second came at 13:29. by Blackcoffee. 1Y; 0:24. Twitter: __RHJR. That being said, Harper Jr. has never been a one dimensional player. Montez Mathis added 19 points for Rutgers (4-0), and Jacob Young had 18. BOTTOM LINE: Two guards will be on display as Marcus Carr and Minnesota will take on Ron Harper Jr. and Rutgers. Written by Adam Zagoria “I’m excited about how he’s responded.”. Twitter; LaMelo; Mock Draft; 2021 NBA Draft; Interviews; Betting; Odds; About; Menu Share this Close share tweet text email link Sections. Ron Harper Jr. is playing like an All-American He may not win Big Ten Player of the Year honors because of Luka Garza, but that doesn’t mean that Harper isn’t going to be mentioned among the best players in the sport. There is no way he will continue to shoot so poorly from behind the arc, but for now making the other parts of his game the priority will help him regain his confidence and get back to being the consistent productive player he has been most of his career. What a mistake. 21 Rutgers took over a close game down the stretch to beat Syracuse 79-69 on Tuesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Little did we know it was the start of a steady decline of play that has progressed into mid-February. PISCATAWAY, N.J.: Ron Harper Jr. scored 26 points and No. In order to regain his mojo, Harper Jr. can make a big impact by attacking the rim more so, while also focusing on being more consistent with defending and rebounding. Send … — Ronald Harper Jr. (@ron_harper32) August 11, 2017 Harper Jr. visited Rutgers on Thursday. The Orange played hard and were almost rewarded, but Rutgers closed the game on a 17-4 run to earn the win. Starting Five Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies will go live on Friday, November 6 Opponents are doing everything they can to make him a non-factor. Last season, the now junior shot 34.9% from three on 109 attempts. The John R. Wooden Award, which is named after the former University of California, Los Angeles, head men’s basketball coach, was created in 1976 to recognize the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball players, according to Rutgers Athletics. “(Harper Jr.) is a good player. Rutgers women’s soccer defeats Penn State 3-2 in season opener, Rutgers men’s soccer defeats Michigan State 2-0 in season opener, Embracing Expectations: 4 Thoughts On Rutgers 71-64 loss to Michigan. For updates on the Rutgers men's basketball team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter. He still has the 11th lowest turnover rate in all of college basketball and 3rd lowest in Big Ten play, but that’s what makes the recent uptick so alarming. Harper scores 26 to lead No. Harper starts off hot with a pair of dunks for Rutgers. It’s no secret that Rutgers was playing at an elite level when Harper Jr. was on fire to begin the season and teams are doing everything possible to prevent that from happening again. The Knights got off to a slow start, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 14-4 lead with approximately 14 minutes left in the first half. Ron Harper Jr. had 15 points and nine rebounds, Jacob Young had 17 points and No. Harper Jr. soars for alley-oop slam. Miller Kopp scored 15 points but couldn't prevent Northwestern (6 … Rutgers Athletic Center, Piscataway, New Jersey; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Two guards will be on display as Marcus Carr and Minnesota will take on Ron Harper Jr. and Rutgers. When it comes to this team, Geo Baker is the soul, Myles Johnson is the backbone and Ron Harper Jr. is the engine. Harper Jr. was ranked only No. Lastly, when and not if, Harper Jr. regains his stroke from behind the arc, it will make Rutgers that much harder to beat down the stretch of what can still be a special season. That component is sorely missing for Rutgers right now. Harper Jr., who went to Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey, joins six other student-athletes from the Big Ten in consideration for the award. He is clearly the second best rebounder on the team, but Rutgers needs him to actually be that in most games and that isn’t happening either. However, he is taking less than 7 shots per game from inside the arc during the past nine games. He deserves the benefit of the doubt that he’ll ultimately get it back. Life isn’t easy in this league. Facebook Twitter. He averaged 23.4 points per game and only scored under 20 twice, posting 18 points in the season opener against Sacred Heart and 15 points vs. Hofstra. Harper, whose son is Rutgers junior wing Ron Harper Jr., took to Twitter and voiced his frustration after Johnson gained two fouls in the first half's opening 69 … 14 Rutgers received some reinforcements on Saturday when juniors Ron Harper Jr. and Caleb McConnell returned from ankle and back injuries, respectively, in the Scarlet Knights' two point, 77-75, defeat against Iowa at the RAC.. Harper Jr., the team's leading scorer at 22.1 points per game, missed on game -- Rutgers' home win over Purdue on Tuesday -- but came …