After struggling with COVID issues, the Spartans enter the matchup at 2-4 in conference play and will need to pick their game up quickly.

This week, Bardahl posed several questions to McCoy to get more info on the Scarlet Knights.

Q: In the last matchup between Rutgers and MSU, Michigan State's defense shut down much of Rutgers offensive production, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 30.5% shooting overall. What can Rutgers change about their strategy on offense to improve this game?

A: I think they (Rutgers) should go inside more. They have a high advantage, a noticeable height advantage over Michigan State, and I think they should use those guys like Myles Johnson, Clifford Omoruyi. I think Jacob Young will have an increase in this game because I think Rutgers needs to stay inside more. A common theme of Rutgers recently during their losing streak was settling for a lot of outside jump shots, and if you've ever seen them play they're not a shooting team, so they definitely need to bring the ball inside more and do more on offense because a lot of the time on possessions, one guy will get the ball and then they will stand still, they're not really an off ball movement heavy team but it's something they definitely need to improve on.

Q: MSU has struggled with turnovers all season, and we may see that struggle magnified as the Spartans will be playing off a near two-week break from COVID issues. How can Rutgers capitalize on these Spartan mishaps?

A: I think Rutgers, if they bring their aggressive style, they should be able to. Steve Pikiell is a very defensively-minded coach. Rutgers is a team that will often get 8, 9, or 10 steals in a game. They're really good at causing pressure. I think Jacob Young will probably be D-ing up his man all the way from the back court, a lot of trapping, a lot of doubles, you'll see. I think Rutgers just needs to be super aggressive to get Michigan State out of their comfort zone and have the ability to take the game over.

Q: MSU's Malik Hall and Thomas Kithier held Ron Harper Jr. to 13 points in the last matchup between these teams. How can Rutgers work to create more opportunity for their leading scorer?

A: Recently, teams have been doing a great job of D-ing up Ron Harper, so I think the ball is going to go to someone else and it's going to be up to someone else to lead the charge. Ron just really hasn't played well, and I don't have any inclination that he's going to go back to scoring 25 against a well-coached Tom Izzo team that's probably going to defend pretty well. I expect guys like Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy, I think those guys are going to pick up where Ron has fallen off in the past month. So, I think you'll see a balanced attack from the Knights but I don't think you'll see Ron Harper being the leading scorer if I had to make a guess it will probably be Geo Baker.

Q: What is your score prediction and why?

A: I am going to take Rutgers to win 62-58. I think it's going to be a good defensive game if Rutgers can hit their free throws and hit a three once in a while and shoot a good percentage from the field they should be able to take it. I definitely think it's going to be an interesting game, seeing Tom Izzo and Steve Pikiell come together and coach, a lot of fireworks. It's going to be better than their first game.