Michigan State Spartans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAAB Betting Prediction

Michigan State vs Rutgers Scarlet Prediction 1/25/2025

The Michigan State Spartans (16-2) travel to face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-9) on Saturday, January 25th. This game will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York and televised on CBS. Michigan State is coming off a win in their previous game, while Rutgers is looking to get back on track from a loss to the Penn State. Tip-off is set for 1:30 ET.

Michigan State Spartans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Spartans Are Coming Off A Win

Michigan State improved to 16-2 on the season with a narrow 80-78 win over Illinois on Sunday. Playing at home, the Spartans were -1 favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game ended at 158, just under the O/U line of 159.5.

After a 36-36 tie at halftime, Michigan State edged Illinois by scoring 44 points in the 2nd half while allowing 42.

The Scarlet Knights Are Coming Off A Win

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Recent Game/Games

Rutgers fell to 10-9 on the season after an 80-72 road loss to Penn State on Monday. The Scarlet Knights entered the game as +7 underdogs and failed to cover the spread.

Rutgers trailed 37-35 at halftime and allowed 43 points in the 2nd half while scoring 37. The game’s total points of 152 fell just under the O/U line of 155.5.

Spartans Offense Breakdown

Michigan State’s offense put up 80 points in their last game, shooting 43.1% from the field and 30% from three-point range, hitting just 3 of 10 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.2%, with a two-point shooting mark of 45.5% (25/55). At the free-throw line, they connected on 21 of 27 attempts, good for 77.8%.

Will Riley led the Spartans with 19 points and 6 rebounds, hitting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Tre Holloman added 17 points, while Tomislav Ivisic and Kylan Boswell each contributed 13 points, with Ivisic also dishing out 5 assists. The Spartans grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and finished with 14 assists as a team.

Scarlet Knights Offense Breakdown

Rutgers put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 55.6%. They connected on 60.6% of their two-point attempts and hit 33.3% from beyond the arc, going 7-for-21 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they were 11-for-14, good for 78.6%.

Ace Bailey led the way with 30 points, shooting 86.7% overall and 80% from three, hitting 4 of 5 attempts. Yanic Konan Niederhauser was nearly perfect as well, shooting 87.5% from the field, while Nick Kern Jr. went 4-for-4, including 1-for-1 from three. Freddie Dilione was perfect from deep, hitting all 4 of his three-point attempts.

Spartans Team Defense

Michigan State’s defense gave up 78 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 45% shooting on two-point attempts, as the other team went 25/55 from inside the arc.

From three-point range, the Spartans held their opponent to 30% shooting, with just 3 made threes on 10 attempts. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 21 for 77%. Michigan State also gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Scarlet Knights Team Defense

Michigan State’s defense gave up 78 points, with their opponent shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 45% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 25 of 55 shots.

From beyond the arc, Michigan State held their opponent to 30% shooting, as they made just 3 of 10 three-point attempts. The Spartans also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 27 times, where they converted 21 free throws for 77%.

Spartans vs Scarlet Knights Trends

  • Michigan State has played well in their previous three road games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 79 points per game while allowing 67. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
  • When looking at their past five home matchups, Rutgers has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 77 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
  • The last five games that Rutgers was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
  • The last ten games that Michigan State was favored, they have an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 9-1 straight up.

Spartans vs Scarlet Knights Prediction

The Scarlet Knights come in as the underdog at +5.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 148.5 and our model has the Spartans and Scarlet Knights finishing with a combined 145 points. Our pick is to take the under.


All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!


* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.