- Matchup: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Michigan State Spartans
- Event Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Venue: Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
- Broadcast: ESPN+
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
In a highly anticipated matchup, the Michigan State Spartans (24-5) will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-17) at the Breslin Center.
The Scarlet Knights recently triumphed over Maryland, concluding the game with a 69-65 victory. Rutgers showcased a field goal percentage of 39.7%, making 23 of 58 shots and converting 4 of 17 from beyond the arc. They excelled at the free throw line, making 19 of 23 attempts, resulting in an impressive 82.6% success rate. On the rebounding front, they secured a total of 24 boards, including 4 offensive rebounds, while providing 10 assists. Their defense was effective, forcing Maryland into 18 turnovers and registering 8 steals. However, they allowed their opponents to shoot 40.0% overall from the field. Maryland recorded 10 assists and 4 steals during the game. Despite grabbing 45 rebounds (12 offensive, 33 defensive), they failed to secure any blocks, while shooting 68.8% from the free throw line with 11 out of 16 made. Additionally, they struggled from 3-point range, hitting only 6 of 28 attempts. The Scarlet Knights committed 14 personal fouls to Maryland’s 22.
A standout player in this contest was Tariq Francis, who recorded 19 points on 4 of 11 shooting, complemented by 4 assists and 4 rebounds over 32 minutes.
Discover all of our NCAA Parlay Picks.
This season, Rutgers holds a record of 12-17 and averages 70.2 points per game, ranking 305th in Division 1 basketball. They shoot 41.5% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range, converting 185 of 583 attempts. Their free throw rate stands at 73.6%. The team averages 33.3 rebounds per game and has tallied 337 assists for the season, ranking 345th nationally. They average 10.2 turnovers and commit 16.6 fouls per game.
Defensively, the Scarlet Knights force an average of 11.3 turnovers per game and draw 18.2 fouls. They rank 286th nationally in giving up assists to opponents, allowing a total of 444 assists this season. Rutgers concedes a field goal percentage of 45.9% (778 of 1,695) and averages 36.2 rebounds per game. They allow opponents to shoot 36.6% from three-point range, ranking 228th in Division 1 for points allowed per game at 75.4.
In their previous game, the Michigan State Spartans achieved a 77-64 victory over Indiana. They secured 30 total rebounds including 21 defensive boards and 9 offensive rebounds. The Spartans committed 9 turnovers while collecting 2 steals in this match. Indiana was fouled 17 times, sending Michigan State to the free-throw line 19 times, where they converted 15 for a rate of 78.9%. Michigan State shot 50.0% from beyond the arc, making 12 of their 24 attempts. They finished the game shooting 49.0% from the field, successful on 25 of 51 attempts. Indiana managed to shoot 39.3% from the floor, hitting 22 of 56 total shots, while they struggled from three-point range at 28.6%, hitting 10 of 35 attempts. Michigan State also finished 10 of 13 at the free-throw line for a 76.9% rate, while allowing 24 rebounds to Indiana, including 6 on the offensive side.
A key player for the Spartans was Jaxon Kohler, who scored 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds during his 32 minutes on the court, along with contributing 2 assists.
This season, Michigan State boasts a record of 24-5. They commit an average of 16.1 fouls per game and have a successful free throw percentage of 75.7%. The Spartans dish out an average of 18.3 assists per game, ranking 11th in Division 1, and they give up possession 11.5 times per game. With a total of 2,271 points scored (78.3 per game), they grab 40.4 rebounds on average, shooting 46.9% from the field, placing them 87th nationally.
Defensively, Michigan State holds opponents to a shooting percentage of 31.5% from three-point range (242 of 769) and allows 73.9% from the free-throw line. They concede an average of 12.9 assists and 28.4 rebounds per game, ranking 136th and 2nd, respectively. The Spartans are ranked 25th nationally in points allowed per game, with an average of 66.3. They force an average of 10.1 turnovers each match and restrict opponents to 40.0% shooting from the field, which is 22nd in the NCAA.
Which team will cover the spread in tonight’s NCAA matchup?
Prediction: Bet on Michigan State
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
