Ace Bailey keeps finding new ways to score. While the Rutgers freshman threw down another two-handed dunk and executed his patented turnaround jump shot for another bucket, he also unveiled his first drive while using the referee as a screener en route to the 82-73 victory over No.

College basketball official Jeffrey Anderson got tangled up in a play in the Rutgers-Illinois game Wednesday, but Ace Bailey was able to get a bucket anyway.

The Scarlet Knights have two of the nation's top prospects in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, and they seemed destined to contend for the Big Ten. Well, things haven't really gone to plan for Rutgers so far this year as they came into Wednesday night's game against #23 Illinois at 11-11 overall and 4-7 in Big Ten play.

Rutgers guard Ace Bailey, right, drives as Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli guards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) AP

Ace Bailey made a block and finished the play with a thunderous slam dunk that extended the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' lead against the Illinois Fighting Illini.

After a superstar performance earlier in the week, Ace Bailey didn't bring his A-game in Rutgers' loss to Michigan on Saturday.

Rutgers could not stack victories. Days after earning a road win over Northwestern, the Scarlet Knights (11-11, 4-7) fell to Michigan, 66-63, in Piscataway on Saturday. They fall to 2-4 in Big Ten home games,