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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Rutgers in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Joshua Langford #1 and Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans helps Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans off the floor during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Joshua Langford #1 and Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans helps Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans off the floor during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball is looking for its first road win of the season over an improved Rutgers team. How will the Spartans fare?

Despite beating Nebraska by 29 points on Sunday night in the Big Ten opener, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo stated his displeasure. Michigan State just didn’t play the way he would have hope on both sides of the ball, but there’s a chance for improvement on Tuesday.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Report card for win over Nebraska in Week 4

The Spartans will get a chance to rebound from a “disappointing” win, as Izzo called it, with a strong performance against 6-2 Rutgers on Tuesday night. The Scarlet Knights have a tough defense, ranked second in college basketball, statistically, as well as a strong rebounding presence — also ranked No. 2 nationally.

How will the Spartans fare against the Scarlet Knights on Tuesday? The Spartan Avenue staff weighs in.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State is going to break the mold which Rutgers has built up over the past month. The Scarlet Knights have the second-best defense, statistically, in the country, but Michigan State will be more aggressive offensively. The defense will continue to play well, but the Scarlet Knights will get to 63 points. Cassius Winston will remain hot from 3-point range and Miles Bridges will get his mojo back. Nick Ward will also dominate in the post en route to an easy road win.

Final Score: Michigan State 85, Rutgers 63

Michael Briggs: Rutgers is facing one of the toughest two-game stretches a team can play in the Big Ten as it welcomes No. 3 Michigan State to the RAC just two days after playing No. 12 Minnesota in Minneapolis. Ouch. The Spartans, meanwhile, are coming off of consecutive 18-point victories over top-10 teams and a 29-point home blowout over Nebraska. Rutgers is an improved squad, but it would take a major letdown from Michigan State for this game to even be close. Sorry Rutgers, take it up with the schedule-makers.

Final Score: Michigan State 76, Rutgers 52

Adam Zdroik: This could be a long season for everyone else in the Big Ten. Rutgers battled Florida State in a home game last week, a team which just beat No. 5 Florida on the road. Rutgers was throttled by Minnesota in their Big Ten opener and couldn’t stop anything Jordan Murphy and Reggie Lynch did. Are we to believe Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. can’t do the same? Nah, this game is over.

Final Score: Michigan State 80, Rutgers 63

Stephen Robb: Rutgers is 6-2 and while the record is decent, the Scarlet Knights also looked bad against Minnesota. They played tough against Florida State, though. Rutgers does not have the playmakers to compete with Michigan State although they might make it a game for the first half. Yet the Scarlet Knights can push teams if the Spartans toy with them. This MSU team is loaded and coach Tom Izzo is not going to let that happen.

Final Score: Michigan State 84, Rutgers 63

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