Michigan State Basketball: Report card from win over Rutgers in Week 5

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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PISCATAWAY, NJ – DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans and teammate Lourawls Nairn Jr. #11 celebrate the win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Defense: A-

The biggest bright spot for Michigan State against Rutgers had to be the defense. The Spartans were suffocating yet again, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 26 percent from the floor. This is the third time in four games an opponent has shot under 30 percent from the floor, and that’s a trend that Tom Izzo hopes continues.

Michigan State also defended the perimeter better in this one than it did against Nebraska when it gave up 10 makes from 3-point range. Rutgers was just 4-of-15 from deep and they couldn’t seem to get many open shots. The poor shooting percentage can be attributed to both poor offense and great defense.

The Spartans continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the conference and if they can hold each opponent to under 70 points, there may not be a team in the Big Ten that can contend with them.

Michigan State forced 10 turnovers as well, which still could be improved, but also had 13 blocks. The defensive end of the floor was a positive all game long, but the defensive rebounding could have been better.

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