What. A. Game. This was my first time watching Penn State and I’m a fan of Penn State and their staff, I definitely enjoyed watching them play. They’re a well-coached, gritty team, and last night they took down Rutgers 80-72, which was especially impressive given Ace Bailey’s 30-point performance in the loss. I’m also expecting Dylan Harper to miss at least one game due to injury, so let’s dive into it.

Everyone will be talking about Ace’s dunk—and rightfully so—but for me, the key takeaway is efficiency. Bailey went an incredible 13-for-15 from the field, including 4-for-5 from three, for an ultra-efficient 30 points. He also grabbed 7 rebounds. But it wasn’t just his offense that impressed me—his defense was solid too. After watching him play against UCLA, I started paying extra attention to his defensive presence, and it’s clear: he’s not just an offensive juggernaut. This game really made me understand why some consider him the potential #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Bailey was simply everywhere. His first step is lightning fast, allowing him to get to his spots with ease. Even when defenders contested his shots, he made it look effortless. On the defensive end, he rotated well, causing deflections and steals. He was actively engaged on both ends of the floor, and his ability to disrupt plays and contest shots was on full display. This is one of those games where you really need to watch him play to appreciate the full scope of his talent. Bailey was as close to perfect as you can get.

The only drawbacks from last night? At times, he can get a bit sloppy going downhill, and he had a mental lapse that led to fouling out. After a dunk in the closing seconds to cut the lead to 3, he bumped a Penn State player too hard while they were inbounding the ball, which resulted in his fifth foul. But let’s be honest—these are minor issues for an 18-year-old with limitless potential.

Dylan Harper, Bailey’s partner in crime, had a rough outing but still showed why he’s considered a top pick in the upcoming draft. My favorite play of his was a Penny Hardaway-esque turnaround jumper in the midrange. He also displayed excellent hands on defense, something I’d been watching closely after his game against UCLA. Penn State did a great job limiting Harper’s ability to get to the basket, particularly by preventing that high pick-and-roll from developing. They switched up their defenses, including using a zone, to keep Harper from getting into his rhythm.

That said, Harper did find his way to the rim a few times, showing off his decision-making skills. He also twisted his ankle in the first half, and I was surprised to see him continue playing through it. It looked like a bad roll, and honestly, I think he should’ve sat out. You love the toughness, but he wasn’t quite the same in the second half. I expect more teams to try and keep him out of the lane. To counter this, he’ll need to become more consistent as a shooter. Hopefully, the sprain is minor and he’s back on the court soon—if he misses time, it’s going to hurt Rutgers.