Rutgers took the necessary first step of what could be a jaw-dropping journey to the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights (12-11, 5-7) earned their first ranked win of the season, knocking off No. 23 Illinois in an 82-73 victory in Piscataway that keeps alive their slim hopes of a miraculous run to March Madness.

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.

As the ball hit the bottom of the net for his first made basket in weeks, Dylan Harper turned to the Illinois corner of Jersey Mike’s Arena and gestured for them to simmer down. A few minutes later, when he hit his first three-pointer of the night,

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 Scarlet Knights 82, No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini 73. The Scarlet Knights entered this one with little momentum.

Ace Bailey caught the outlet pass from fellow Chattanooga native Jamichael Davis, and with no Illinois defender in sight, the star Rutgers freshman threw down a vicious dunk and held on to the rim for dramatic effect.