The No. 3 Michigan State Spartans (7-1, 1-0 Big 10) put their six-game winning streak on the line when they challenge the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-2, 0-1 Big 10) at Louis Brown Athletic Center. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017.
Michigan State opened as a 14-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 134.5 points.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Free Prediction
In the Spartans’ last outing, they blew out the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 86-57. The Spartans knocked down 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and held the Cornhuskers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.7 (below their season average of 33.9). Jaren Jackson Jr. had a good outing for Michigan State, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Scarlet Knights were blown out by the No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers in their last game, 89-67. Getting to the free throw line was one of Minnesota’s biggest strengths. They had 35 free throw attempts, while Rutgers had just 18. Rutgers’ Deshawn Freeman had 10 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams battle. Rutgers ranks 296th in possessions per game (67.3) and Michigan State is 260th (68.3) since last season. Additionally, the Spartans rank 33rd in effective field goal percentage (0.545), while the Scarlet Knights rank 31st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.464).
Michigan State comes into the game with records of 7-1 straight up (SU) and 6-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is highly precise when setting the total of Spartans games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Rutgers is 6-2 SU and 2-1-1 ATS. Similarly to to Michigan State, it’s tough to find a trend for games featuring the Scarlet Knights in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
The Spartans won the only game against the Scarlet Knights last season, 93-65. The Spartans had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.675 vs. 0.442) and had a better free throw rate (0.281 vs. 0.200).
Michigan State Spartans at Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Michigan State ranks 11th in assists per game (17.2) while Rutgers ranks 294th (11.2).
The Spartans average 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA. The Scarlet Knights rank 262nd in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Rutgers ranks 104th in steals per game (6.8) while Michigan State ranks 298th (4.4).
The Spartans rank 188th in three pointers attempted per game (20.7) while the Scarlet Knights rank 324th (15.8).
Michigan State ranks 42nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.5) while Rutgers ranks 167th (35.0).
