Rutgers (9-1, 2-7) compares closely to the Maryland squad that was dismantled by the Spartans last week. The Scarlet Knights are 0-7 against Quad 1 opponents and 1-4 in Quad 2. In both of their Big Ten wins — against Oregon and Northwestern — they went to overtime and won by a combined five points. Rutgers ranks last among Big Ten teams in both the NET Rankings and KenPom’s adjusted efficiency margin.

The Spartans haven’t played at Rutgers in four years and lost their previous two games at Jersey Mike's Arena. MSU won’t be facing its toughest opponent of the year in Rutgers, but head coach Tom Izzo still wants his players to be prepared for anything. 

"[Rutgers] has been a tough place to play since we've started going there, and yet we've had some decent games there and we've had some poor games there," Izzo said. "I think it's more about being focused on the task at hand, not letting distractions, not letting other games, not letting other things get to us."

Rutgers is led by its only two 10-point-per-game scorers, junior guard Tariq Francis and sophomore forward Dylan Grant. 

Rutgers finds success on offense when it generates half-court looks that allow for increased passing and ball movement, particularly in the post. However, when the Scarlet Knights become stagnant offensively, their entire game plan comes to a halt. Rutgers’ perimeter defense struggles to contain even the most methodical opponents. Big Ten teams are shooting 39.53% from 3-point range against Rutgers, a mark that would rank highest in the conference.

The perimeter offense of the Spartans is taking a big leap from a year ago. MSU ranks fourth in the conference in 3-point shooting at 35.8%. 

Ball screens at the top of the key have been a staple for this year’s team, giving sophomore point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. multiple options to attack. When he uses the screen, Fears draws defenders away from Jaxon Kohler or Kur Teng and finds either for an open 3-pointer. If defenders go under, he drives to the rim and finishes at the basket.

MSU was predicted to finish sixth in the Big Ten before the season started. Now the Spartans rank fourth, half a game back from first place. Izzo said a lot about this year’s team has been surprising. The Spartans rank first in the country in defensive rebound percentage and sixth in defensive rating, according to CBB Analytics. At the forefront of that defensive attack has been Carson Cooper and Kohler, along with MSU’s lead perimeter defender, Fears. 

"I think the most exciting thing for me is I don't think any of them have reached their ceiling. Now will they? I don’t know. But they haven't reached it," Izzo said. "They have room for growth, and if they really want to buckle down and say, I got two months, let's go for it."

With all the positives of this season, MSU ranks 15th in the Big Ten in turnovers with over 12 a game. The Spartans’ 15% turnover percentage ranks 157th in Division I. Izzo said he thinks MSU can reach it’s highest potential if they trim down on the giveaways. 

"So the positive is, I think we're better defensively," Izzo said. "The negative is, I still think we're turning the ball over too much. We've had games five and six, which is phenomenal, but if we can stay under 10, I think we're a different team."

After MSU’s trip to New Jersey, it will face its highest-ranked opponent of the season, rival No. 3 Michigan, on Friday at 8 p.m. on Fox.

"The elephant in the room is your rival in a big game on Friday," Izzo said. "You have to take care of business."