Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Week 16 Rutgers battle

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Andre Weeson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a loose ball against Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Kenny Goins grabs game-high 15 rebounds

The unsung hero of Michigan State basketball this season has to be former walk-on and Troy, Mich., native Kenny Goins. It’s hard to believe this kid didn’t earn a scholarship out of high school, but he’s really grown into his own for the Spartans as a senior.

Goins talked post-practice before Wednesday night’s showdown with Rutgers about what the Spartans need to do in order to beat the Scarlet Knights and one of the first words out of his mouth was ‘rebound’.

Defending, rebounding and running are what Michigan State does best and it usually starts with Goins grabbing 8-10 per game. He averages 8.9 on the season and has grabbed as many as 17 in a single game, but he will approach that number once again with Nick Ward out, grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds.

Michigan State could use a strong rebounding performance from Goins as well as Xavier Tillman and both are going to combine for around 25 boards.

Rutgers can rebound the ball well, but Goins and Tillman will make sure the Spartans will the battle on the glass.

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