Future NBA stars Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper aren't enough as Rutgers falls to Purdue
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When building a roster for any sport, there’s always a question of star power versus balance. Is it better to have a team which doesn’t have one or two go-to guys, but is overall more consistent? Or is it better to have a couple superstars surrounded by role players?.
![[But against nationally ranked Purdue, Bailey (4) and Harper (not pictured) couldn't pull through]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/01/93939887-14268831-image-a-2_1736470865760.jpg)
In college basketball, there's been examples of star-led teams succeeding. Last year, Purdue's Zach Edey led the Boilermakers to a national title game before losing to one of the most complete teams in the history of the sport in the 2023-24 Connecticut Huskies.
![[After losing their star Zach Edey, Purdue has re-aligned itself around the elite role players from last year's team that made a run to a national title game (L: Braden Smith, R: Fletcher Loyer)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/01/93939885-14268831-image-a-5_1736470929748.jpg)
But there's also been examples where NBA-bound stars have failed to galvanize those around them. Take Ben Simmons for example. He took the unconventional route in college by going to LSU, failed to even make the NIT (college basketball's Europa League equivalent), and was still taken first overall in that year's NBA Draft.
![[Ace Bailey (L) and Dylan Harper (R) run out of the tunnel before the game against Purdue]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/01/93941063-14268831-image-a-15_1736472196824.jpg)
Rutgers is in a similar position to the latter situation. They have two of the most exciting NBA lottery picks on their roster in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, but have struggled throughout the season as the supporting cast around them haven't hit their marks.
![[Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell speaks to an official during the game against Purdue]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/01/93939857-14268831-image-a-3_1736470879162.jpg)
On Thursday night in New Jersey, they played a Purdue team learning to live in the post-Edey era - and are thriving in his absence. In the battle between talent versus balance, it appeared that balance won the day as the 20th ranked Purdue Boilermakers came out on top over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 68-50.
![[Purdue coach Matt Painter called a perfectly timed timeout to halt Rutgers' momentum]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/01/93941065-14268831-image-a-16_1736472296622.jpg)
