Opinion
3 min read

Can Rutgers Outmaneuver Michigan State at Breslin Center?

As the Rutgers Scarlet Knights prepare to face off against the Michigan State Spartans, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The game, scheduled on January 14 at the Jack Breslin Students Events Center in East Lansing, will test the mettle of both teams as they vie for dominance.


Mar 9, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Caleb McConnell (22) looks to pass against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Scarlet Knights have shown a commendable performance in their recent games. On January 10, they secured a victory over the Hoosiers with a score of 66-57. Their defensive prowess was evident as they racked up seven blocks and nine steals, contributing to their fast break points which tallied up to 19. Moreover, their ability to convert free throws was impressive with a success rate of 68 percent.


However, it wasn't just defense that stood out; RUTG also demonstrated resilience on offense despite shooting only 32 percent from the field. They made up for this by dominating rebounds with an impressive count of 52 and converting these opportunities into valuable second-chance points.


In contrast, Michigan State's home advantage cannot be overlooked. Playing in front of their own fans can provide an extra boost that might challenge RUTG's recent momentum.


Looking back at RUTG's performance against Iowa on January 6 reveals some areas for improvement; while they scored more than in their last game (77 points), it wasn't enough to secure victory against Iowa’s robust offense that put up an impressive display scoring 86 points.


RUTG’s consistency from the free-throw line stands out as one of their key strengths – hitting an outstanding rate of nearly 80 percent against Iowa and maintaining high percentages across other games too. This could prove crucial in close encounters where every point counts.


The upcoming clash will demand RUTG maintain its defensive intensity while finding ways to improve field goal percentages which have been less than stellar recently. The Spartans are known for being formidable opponents especially when playing at home; hence Rutgers must leverage its rebounding strength and capitalize on turnovers just like they did when scoring 18 points off turnovers during their last outing against Indiana.


With all eyes set on this matchup between two competitive teams eager to establish supremacy early in the year, fans should mark their calendars for January 14th at noon Eastern Time when these two titans take center stage at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. For those unable to attend in person, catch all action live nationally on BTN channel number is available through various cable providers nationwide.

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