With the win, Rutgers is now 12-11 overall on the season and 5-7 in Big Ten play. They will look to start a winning streak on Sunday as they hit the road to take on Maryland, who is playing well right now. That one won't be easy, and they will once again need big games from Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots over Illinois Fighting Illini guard Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (2) during the first half, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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.

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.

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.