The Scarlet Knights recently lost to Penn State on the road, 80-72, while the Spartans recently beat Illinois 80-78, which helped them jump to No. 8 in the AP and Coaches Polls.

“We found different ways to win, and I think that’s kind of how our team is now,” Izzo said.

MSU’s win over Illinois is the Spartans’ third overall and second straight win this season with a difference of five points or fewer. The Spartans' upcoming match against Rutgers in Madison Square Garden can also end in cinematic fashion, as the Scarlet Knights are led by freshmen guards Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, who are the projected No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

Bailey has averaged 20 points per game on 48.4% from the field and leads the team with eight rebounds per game in 33.5 minutes. In Rutgers’ loss to Penn State, the guard finished with 30 points and seven rebounds on 13-for-15 shooting. 

Harper has averaged 19.3 points per game, five rebounds, the second highest on the team, and leads with 4.3 assists, on 49% shooting accuracy.

Izzo said that Bailey and Harper are “legitimate” and “two of the better players” in the league recently, adding that this matchup in New York City will be a big game, especially with “those two superstars.”

Another player who has contributed a lot to Rutgers is center Lathan Sommerville, who has come off the bench almost every game, averaging 7.2 points per game in just under 20 minutes of play, adding four rebounds. Against Penn State, Sommerville tallied 12 points and six rebounds.

Rutgers has averaged five fewer points than MSU per game, shoots worse from the field and the free-throw line, but shoots 5% better from beyond the arc. The Scarlet Knights also average 37 rebounds per game, as opposed to MSU’s 41, which is the second-best in the conference, with Rutgers averaging five fewer assists per game than MSU.

MSU’s three-point shooting this season is the worst it's been since the three-point line was incorporated into college basketball in 1986. The team’s 28.8% from beyond the arc is the conference’s worst. The Spartans are ranked 341 out of 355 teams in NCAA Division I men’s basketball when it comes to three-point shooting.

Though three-point shooting has been MSU’s weakness, the team has maintained a long win streak due to its strength in numbers. Senior guard Jaden Akins leads the team with an average of 13.9 points and four rebounds per game, and a 44.4% shooting accuracy. Junior forward Jaxon Kohler has a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game, and freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. leads the team with 6.4 assists.

All 10 players that regularly see the court have averaged at least 4.5 points per game, and five players have above eight points per game. Freshman guard Jase Richardson and sophomore forward Coen Carr have averaged a combined 17.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and two assists, despite no starts between either of them. 

In MSU’s win against Illinois, junior guard Tre Holloman, Carr and senior forward Frankie Fidler all scored in double-digits, while junior center Carson Cooper and Kohler combined for 14 rebounds. Fears Jr. and Holloman combined for eight assists. It’s undeniable that MSU’s squad depth has helped the Spartans win many games this season and has a great chance of allowing them to get their 12th straight win.

“I hope we continue to play with the energy we’ve had and build on the consistency,” Izzo said.

In the future, the veteran head coach wants to see more offensive rebounds, something he thinks he can get from Carr. The 6-foot-6 sophomore is known for his explosive dunks and impressive blocks, but recently he’s worked on other parts of his craft. 

According to Izzo, Carr's free-throw shooting accuracy has improved and is just under 70%. He's also made progress with rebounding, defense, ball skills, and three-point shooting, a factor he’s only attempted six times so far this season. 

“He knows where he is right now and has a long way to go,” Izzo said.

MSU and Rutgers will tip off on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Madison Square Garden. CBS will air the game.