The Michigan State Spartans and Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet up tonight in Big Ten College Basketball action. The game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Currently the Betting Odds for the game have the Spartans favored on the road by a comfortable margin.
This game was supposed to be played the other night, but the impending snow storm neutralized everything. Now the Spartans and Scarlet Knights will meet on the court with Michigan State looking to pick up a conference road win, which isn't easy to come by. The Big Ten is still led by Wisconsin and the Spartans come in slotted seventh. Rutgers is much closer to the bottom of the standings with just a 2-6 record and they are the only team in the conference under .500 for the season at 10-11 overall.
Michigan State should show up looking to dominate and put Rutgers away early. The Spartans have a very talented roster with several key players while Rutgers is just poor. The Scarlet Knights have lost four straight Big Ten games, three coming on the road. Myles Mack and Kadeem Jack have combined to average 27.5 points and 11 rebounds per game this season and both will have to have huge games tonight for Rutgers to stay on the court with Michigan State. Rutgers averages only 59 points per game, which ranks 327th in the country. That's not good. They don't rebound well and they're one of the worst shooting teams in America at 39.9 percent (307th).
Defensively, though, Rutgers has been able to keep opponents from scoring a ton of points. Opponents are averaging 63.1 points per game against the Scarlet Knights this season but recently have given up 89 to Minnesota and 79 to Penn State.
This game tonight will see Michigan State score and score often. Unless, of course, Michigan State is looking ahead to the matchup on Sunday at home against Michigan. The Spartans are led by Travis Trice with 14.3 points per game while Denzel Valentine makes MSU go in transition. Branden Dawson might be the best defender in the conference and brings a double-double every night.
Michigan State cannot afford to look ahead to the Wolverines on Sunday. The Spartans already have seven losses and are in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament. Must win here.
Free Pick: Michigan State 72, Rutgers 59
Super Bowl Side & Total Update
Steve Fezzik from Pregame.com gives a line analysis on both the side and total of the game between Seattle and New England in Super Bowl 49.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Get more Free Picks from the Pregame Pros HERE.
Be sure and check out Pregame.tv every week for our videos that include handicapping tips, Webinars, analysis and Free Plays.