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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Rutgers in Big Ten opener

By Connor Muldowney

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being charged with his fifth foul during the 82-78 OT loss against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being charged with his fifth foul during the 82-78 OT loss against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Rutgers will host Michigan State basketball in an important Big Ten opener on Friday evening. Will the Spartans come away victorious?

Going into a Big Ten-opening matchup with Rutgers, Michigan State knows it has its work cut out. The Scarlet Knights are 5-1 and coming off their best win of the season, on the road against the Miami Hurricanes in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Geo Baker leads the way for the Scarlet Knights and even though Corey Sanders is gone, they still have a clear No. 1 option on offense and they play some incredible defense.

Michigan State could use a bounce-back after that Louisville loss earlier in the week and a road win against Rutgers would inspire some confidence.

What can we expect from Friday’s Michigan State vs. Rutgers matchup?

5. Michigan State out-rebounds Rutgers by 15

Don’t get me wrong, Rutgers is a good rebounding team, averaging just under 43 per game, led by Eugene Omoruyi who is grabbing 8.8 per contest but the Spartans have been crashing the boards at a high rate lately, dominating Louisville on the glass.

Expect that dominant glass effort by Kenny Goins, Xavier Tillman and even Nick Ward to continue as the Spartans will out-rebound Rutgers by 15, limiting the Scarlet Knights’ second-chance points.

Even the Michigan State guards will get into the act as Cassius Winston is a strong rebounder and Josh Langford is exceptional for a wing. Also, Kyle Ahrens and Matt McQuaid are aggressive on the glass for their size and position.

Michigan State will dominate the glass and hope that’s enough to pull out the win on the road.

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