LAS VEGAS — Rutgers is back at the MGM Grand Arena this week to participate the second annual Players Era Festival, the revolutionary in-season tournament where Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey introduced themselves to the nation and sparked hope of an unforgettable season last November.

What a difference a year makes.

Instead of being one of the main draws with two of the most promising players in the country, they are now filler for an ever-expanding field. Instead of playing in primetime, the Scarlet Knights kicked off the event with a 10 a.m. local tip on Monday.

And instead of playing a ranked SEC team to the wire like it did against Alabama and Texas A&M, Rutgers was obliterated by No. 17 Tennessee in an 85-60 loss in which it trailed by as much as 36 points and was behind for

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