Rutgers men’s basketball is heading into the teeth of its schedule, and it doesn’t get much tougher than this. Next up: a red-hot, No. 10-ranked Michigan State squad that’s firing on all cylinders and coming off a 91-48 demolition of Maryland.
After that? A cross-country road trip to face USC and UCLA.
Buckle up.
Let’s start with the Spartans. Tom Izzo’s group is 18-2 and playing like a team with serious Final Four aspirations.
They’ve already stacked ranked wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina-three programs with championship pedigrees. Their only two losses came in tight contests against No.
13 Nebraska and No. 4 Duke, both on the road.
In other words, this is a team that doesn’t beat itself.
Michigan State isn’t built around one superstar-they come at you in waves. Four players are averaging double figures, led by freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who’s putting up 13.4 points per game.
Fears isn’t just scoring-he’s also dishing out 8.9 assists per game, orchestrating the offense with a poise that belies his age. He’s the kind of floor general Izzo loves: tough, smart, and unselfish.
Right behind him is forward Jaxon Kohler, averaging 13.2 points and leading the team on the glass with 9.6 rebounds per game. He’s a physical presence in the paint who doesn’t shy away from contact and has a knack for extending possessions.
Coen Carr and Carson Cooper round out the double-digit scorers, and both are pulling down over five rebounds per game as well. This is a team that rebounds as a unit, crashes the boards hard, and rarely gives up second-chance opportunities.
Statistically, Michigan State is one of the most balanced teams in the country. They average 79.1 points per game, shoot nearly 48 percent from the field, and hit their free throws at a 72.8 percent clip. They also average 41.3 rebounds and 18.9 assists per game-numbers that speak to how well they move the ball and control the glass.
Now, let’s talk about Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are in a bit of a funk offensively.
They’re averaging 69.7 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting, and their assist numbers (10.7 per game) suggest a team still working to find rhythm and chemistry. Rebounding has also been a challenge, with Rutgers pulling down 35.3 boards per game compared to Michigan State’s 41.3.
Head coach Steve Pikiell has been mixing up the starting lineup, trying to find a combination that clicks. It’s a tough task, especially against a team as deep and disciplined as the Spartans. But sometimes, change can spark something-whether it’s a defensive tone-setter, a hot hand off the bench, or simply a group that plays with more cohesion.
If Rutgers wants to hang around in this one, they’ll need to match Michigan State’s ball movement and energy. The Spartans aren’t just talented-they play a selfless, team-first brand of basketball.
They make the extra pass, they rotate on defense, and they don’t take possessions off. Rutgers will need to bring that same level of intensity and execution, especially on their home floor.
This isn’t just about pulling off an upset-it’s about showing signs of growth. A competitive showing against a top-10 team could be a major morale boost heading into a tough West Coast swing.
And while the odds may be stacked, this is college basketball. We’ve seen stranger things.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Jersey Mike’s Arena, with FS1 carrying the live broadcast. For Rutgers, it’s a chance to test themselves against one of the nation’s best-and maybe, just maybe, find something to build on.