Rutgers @ Michigan St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 20, 2019 ) Rutgers 60, Michigan St 71

No. 12 Michigan State will look to bounce back from an ugly loss in its last outing when it hosts Rutgers Sunday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Spartans lost at home to Duke 87-75 in their last outing in a game that wasn't as close as the final score, while the Scarlet Knights are coming off a loss at Pittsburgh.

Sophomore swingman Ron Harper Jr. leads the Scarlet Knights in scoring, averaging 13.3 points, while guard Geo Baker is right behind him at 12.8. Rutgers has been very good defensively this season, giving up just 61.3 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot just 38.7 percent from the floor, including 32.8 percent from 3-point range. Michigan State has one of the top players in the country in senior guard Cassius Winston (team-best marks of 17.1 points and 6.1 assists), but he needs some support, especially with teams focusing on stopping him. Forwards Xavier Tillman (13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds) and Aaron Henry (10.7 points) are both capable of big games, but both have had trouble with being aggressive looking for their shots so far this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT RUTGERS (6-2): As the Scarlet Knights try to take the next step towards becoming a consistent program, they need to take care of the basketball, which has been a problem already this season. After rallying from an early 12-point deficit to take a lead in the second half against Pittsburgh, Rutgers committed six turnovers during a 19-5 run by the Panthers to take itself out of the game. The Scarlet Knights had 20 turnovers in the contest, leading to 28 points for Pitt, and rank 13th in the Big Ten, averaging 14.1 miscues.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (5-3): Already without senior guard Joshua Langford until at least January, the Spartans' guard depth took another hit with news that freshman Rocket Watts (6.5 points in 22.5 minutes) will be out for at least a couple of games due to a leg injury. Swingman Gabe Brown (8.0 points) will get the start in place of Watts, but sophomore guard Foster Loyer is going to need to play more minutes, as Watts was taking over ball-handling duties at times from Winston. Loyer is averaging just 7.1 minutes and 1.8 points and - listed generously at 6-0 - has trouble with taller guards.

TIP-INS

1. Rutgers sophomore C Myles Johnson had a career-high 14 rebounds against Pittsburgh, while Harper set a new career standard with 10 boards.

2. Spartans sophomore F Marcus Bingham Jr. tied his career high with 13 points in the loss to Duke.

3. Michigan State has won all nine previous meetings with the Scarlet Knights, including all eight games as Big Ten rivals.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 81, Rutgers 69