The Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Saturday in college basketball action from Madison Square Garden. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rutgers vs Michigan State Prediction.
Michigan State Recap
The Michigan State Spartans come into this game looking to add on to their 80-78 win over Illinois last time out to improve to 16-2 on the year. After this game, Michigan State will head home to take on Minnesota.
Spartans Looking To Remain Unbeaten In Conference Play
Jaden Akins leads the Spartans in scoring with 13.9 PPG along with 3.9 RPG as the lone double-digit scorer for Michigan State so far this year. Jase Richardson’s posted 9.2 PPG with 2.5 RPG and 1.8 APG while Frankie Fidler has 9 PPG and 3.4 RPG and Jaxon Kohler has 7.9 PPG with 7.9 RPG to lead the Spartans on the glass. Coen Carr has 8.6 PPG with 3.6 RPG and Jeremy Fears Jr. has dished out a team-high 6.4 APG as well on the year. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 81.7 PPG on 47.5% shooting from the field, 28.8% from three and 81.3% from the foul line this season.
Why the Michigan State Spartans will win
- Michigan State has won each of its last 11 games.
- Rutgers has lost nine of its last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.
Rutgers Recap
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights come into this game looking to rebound from an 80-72 loss to Penn State in their last game to drop to 10-9 on the year. After this game, Rutgers will head on the road to take on Northwestern.
Scarlet Knights Trying To Right The Ship
Ace Bailey leads the Scarlet Knights in scoring and rebounding with 19.9 PPG and 7.9 RPG while Dylan Harper has 19.3 PPG with 5.1 RPG and a team-high 4.3 APG to lead the Scarlet Knights in assists as the only other double-digit scorer for Rutgers up to this point in the year. Jeremiah Williams also has 7.2 PPG and Lathan Sommerville has 7.2 PPG with 4.2 RPG. Jordan Derkack’s also added 6.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 2.3 APG as well on the year. As a team, Rutgers is averaging 76.6 PPG on 45.2% shooting from the field, 33.1% from three and 69.5% from the foul line this season.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will win
- Michigan State has lost seven of its last eight games at Madison Square Garden.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Michigan State’s last 23 games against Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
- Each of the last 11 games between Michigan State and Rutgers have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
Rutgers vs Michigan State Prediction
I’m on Michigan State here. I just think that the Spartans are the deeper team and from a metrics/analytics perspective, the matchup favors the Spartans as I feel like Michigan State is better equipped to take advantage of the shortcomings of this Rutgers defense that hasn’t been as potent as years past under Steve Pikiell. The Spartans are still well-coached and are rolling right now and have plenty of experience playing at MSG. I’ll roll with Michigan State in this one.