Tuesday evening’s Michigan State vs Rutgers may not be the most anticipated game of the week, but it’s an important warm-up for the Spartans as the Michigan game approached on Friday.
Both teams are trending in opposite directions.
Michigan State is a winner of six straight games, all by double figures. The Spartans haven’t lost since dropping a road game against now-top-five Nebraska by two points. They’ve been as good as any team in the country over the past month, and the metrics love what the Spartans have done over the past six contests. They’re looking to pick up a seventh straight blowout win against a lowly Rutgers team on Tuesday night.
Rutgers, on the other hand, has lost three games in a row, and it’s just 2-7 in Big Ten play. Long gone are the days of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, and even that team didn’t make the NCAA Tournament. Unless these Scarlet Knights go on a run and win the Big Ten Tournament, they likely won’t be dancing this year.
Michigan State needs to remain focused on the task at hand and not get caught looking ahead to Michigan on Friday. This has the makings of a trap game, but I don’t think Tom Izzo will allow that.
Vegas doesn’t see this being much of a trap, though.
Final betting odds for Michigan State vs Rutgers
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of Tuesday, Jan. 27
Line: Michigan State -14.5
Over/Under: 137.5
Moneyline: Michigan State -1450 | Rutgers +850
As you can see, Vegas believes this one is going to be just another lopsided win for Michigan State. The Spartans have won six straight by 10-plus, and they’re looking to extend that streak to seven against the Scarlet Knights — I think it happens.
Both teams are going to get off to slow starts offensively, but Michigan State will get the fast break going and eventually extend the lead to 12 before halftime.
The second half will be much more of the same for Michigan State as Jeremy Fears and Jaxon Kohler lead the way in a blowout win over the Scarlet Knights.
Prediction: Michigan State 74, Rutgers 51