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: Gavin Schilling #34 of the Michigan State Spartans grabs the ball before Shaquille Doorson #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Rebounding: C+

How can Michigan State finish with a C+ in rebounding if the Spartans didn’t technically lose the battle — they tied — and they finished with 45? Just go back and watch the game and tell me what you thought of the boxing out and just how many second-chance opportunities Rutgers got.

Allowing 20 offensive rebounds to Rutgers is a major no-no. Sure, the Scarlet Knights rank second in college basketball in terms of rebounding, but that’s something Tom Izzo’s teams have excelled at over the years. Rebounding always comes center stage, and it struggled on Tuesday.

The Spartans finished with 45 boards as well, but just 14 on the offensive end. If Michigan State cut Rutgers’ offensive rebounding total in half, it would have likely been a 15-20 point game and there wouldn’t have been any reason for concern following the victory.

However, boxing out continues to be an issue and the Spartans need to find ways to get position early or teams like Rutgers will make them pay.

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