Folks, we are less than 24 hours away from yet another big matchup for the Spartans. Saturday afternoon's Michigan State vs. Rutgers game will be a heck of a test for the Spartans as they'll face two of the most prolific scorers in the Big Ten on the same team.
Both Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are averaging over 19 points per game for a Rutgers team that began the season ranked No. 25 but has since fallen off with a 10-9 record. There's plenty of talent on the Scarlet Knights' roster, but they are so young and inexperienced that it's not helping matters. This feels a lot like the MSU team with Miles Bridges as a freshman -- talent, but no experience.
Rutgers has suffered some serious growing pains, but the Scarlet Knights have been playing much better in recent games. They did just lose a tough road game to Penn State, but before that, they beat UCLA and Nebraska in back-to-back games.
This isn't going to be an easy "road" game for the Spartans.
It's called a road game, but it's technically a neutral site because Rutgers and Michigan State agreed to play at Madison Square Garden instead of The RAC. That feels like Michigan State caught a break, but the Spartans are 4-13 at Madison Square Garden under Tom Izzo with a loss to the Scarlet Knights there just two years ago, 61-55.
That's why Saturday's line, per DraftKings, is misleading.
Line: Michigan State -5.5
Over/Under: 148.5
Moneyline: Michigan State -238 | Rutgers +195
Michigan State is a healthy favorite even though it never seems to play well or have a positive outcome at MSG. That needs to be taken into consideration along with the fact that the Spartans have struggled defensively over the last two games. I think Michigan State should win, but this will be much closer than what the spread indicates.