Michigan State at Rutgers College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/5/2017

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Louis Brown Athletic Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Louis Brown Athletic Center to play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 13 point favorites.

Michigan State comes into this game with an overall record of 7-1. They currently have a point differential of 19.3 as they are averaging 81.5 points per game while giving up 62.3 per contest. Rutgers has an overall mark of 6-2. They are averaging 72.9 points per contest and giving up 56.3, which is a point differential of 16.6.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 6-2 against the spread this season

The Michigan State Spartans are 4-3 against the over/under this year

Important Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Trends

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 2-1 against the spread this season

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 2-2 against the over/under this year

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

11/08/17 G Kyle Ahrens Foot is out indefinitely

Key Rutgers Scarlet Knights Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Nick Ward averages 14.6 points per game in 18 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 68% for the year while his free throw percentage is 69%. Miles Bridges averages 14.6 points per game while playing 27.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 36% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Geo Baker averages 11.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 3.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Corey Sanders averages 12.6 points per game while playing 29.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 36% and his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spartans allow 62.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the nation. They also allow a 34% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 1st and 239th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 30.0 rebounds a game which ranks 13th, and they give up 11.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 92nd place in the country. They force 12.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 51st in college basketball. Michigan State averages 81.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 76th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 19.3 and their shooting percentage is 50% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 101st in D-1. They average 42.9 rebounds per game and 18.6 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 105th with 14.8 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Scarlet Knights surrender 56.3 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the country. Their defense allows a 37% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 50th in those defensive statistics. They rank 47th with 10.8 assists allowed per contest, and 172nd with 34.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Scarlet Knights are 271st in the nation in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game this season. Rutgers is 225th in Division 1 with 72.9 points per game this year. They are 299th in the country in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 16.6. They shoot 26% from 3-point range, which is good for 341st in the nation. They are 2nd in college basketball in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game and 273rd in assists per contest with 12.3. The Scarlet Knights are 334th in turnovers per game with 10.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Spartans are 38th in the nation in offensive rating with 114.8, and their defensive rating of 87.7 is ranked 26th. In terms of pace they are 205th in the country with 70.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 42nd. As a team they are 40th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 256th in Division 1. Michigan State is 107th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 41%, which is 4th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Rutgers is 341st in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 20.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 42%, which is 10th in the nation. The Scarlet Knights are 195th in the country in offensive rating with 103.6, and their defensive rating of 79.9 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 233rd in Division 1 with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 45% is 330th. As a team they are 341st in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 48% and they shoot 3-pointers on 27% of their shots, ranking 333rd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Michigan State/Rutgers college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Rutgers +13

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald