In the latest Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe break down the Rutgers vs. Illinois matchup, which featured four potential first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. They open with Dylan Harper’s dominant performance, highlighting how he made a statement against Illinois’s Kasparas Jakucionis, even though the two didn’t spend much time guarding each other. In the second segment, they dive into Jakucionis’ evaluation, discussing why he’s a tough prospect to gauge and his struggles in conference play. Next, they analyze Ace Bailey’s performance, which fell somewhere in the middle of his recent hot-and-cold stretch, and debate whether he’s still the best option at No. 3 in the draft. Finally, they wrap up with Illinois freshman Will Riley, who turned in a strong showing against Rutgers and remains a potential first-rounder despite some inconsistency in Big Ten play.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps
2:00 - NBA Trade Deadline
4:32 - 2025 NBA Trade Deadline
5:48 - Rutgers vs. Illinois Overview
8:23 - Dylan Harper’s Statement Game
11:14 - Kasparas Jakucionis Evaluation
22:35 - Continued Discussion on Jakucionis
31:25 - Ace Bailey’s Performance & Draft Stock Debate
31:25 - Will Riley’s Standout Game & First-Round Potential