Michigan State vs. Rutgers Dunkel Predictions & Vegas Odds - March 5

The No. 8 Michigan State Spartans (24-5, 14-4 Big Ten) host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-17, 5-13 Big Ten) at Jack Breslin Students Events Center, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The Scarlet Knights are 18.5-point underdogs in the game. The matchup has a point total of 140.5.

In its last time out, Michigan State won on Sunday 77-64 against Indiana. Jeremy Fears Jr. totaled 21 points, four rebounds and nine assists for Michigan State. Rutgers came out on top in its last matchup 69-65 against Maryland on Sunday. In Rutgers' win, Tariq Francis led the way with 19 points (adding four rebounds and four assists).

Michigan State vs. Rutgers Odds and Game Time

• When: Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Jack Breslin Students Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan
• Spread favorite: Michigan State -18.5
• Moneyline favorite: Michigan State -10000
• Moneyline underdog: Rutgers +3000
• Over/Under: 140.5 points

How to watch Michigan State vs. Rutgers

• TV Channel: Fox Sports 1
• Check out the rest of our Dunkel Index NCAA Basketball Picks!

Betting the Over/Under: Michigan State vs. Rutgers

• A total of 18 of Michigan State's games this season have gone over Thursday's over/under of 140.5 points.
• A total of 18 of Rutgers' games have ended with a combined score over 140.5 points this season.
• The point total for the contest of 140.5 is 8.0 points fewer than the combined points per game averages for the Spartans (78.3 points per game) and the Scarlet Knights (70.2 points per game).
• This matchup's total is 1.2 fewer points than the 141.7 these two teams combine to give up per game in 2024.
• On average, Michigan State has seen a 144.7-point over/under in its games this season, 4.2 more points than the over/under in this matchup.
• Rutgers' games have an average over/under of 145.7 points this season, 5.2 more points than the over/under for this contest.

Betting the Spread: Michigan State vs. Rutgers

• In Michigan State's 29 games this season, it has 16 wins against the spread.
• This season, the Spartans have an ATS record of 3-5 in their eight games as a favorite of 18.5 points or more.
• Against the spread, Rutgers is 14-15-0 this year.
• The Scarlet Knights have been underdogs by 18.5 points or more two times this year and have not covered the spread once.
• At home this season, Michigan State is 14-2 overall and 8-8 against the spread.
• At home, as a 18.5-point favorite or greater, Michigan State has two wins ATS (2-4).
• Away from home, Rutgers is 2-8 overall and 5-5 against the spread.

Betting the Moneyline: Michigan State vs. Rutgers

• Michigan State has won 22, or 91.7%, of the 24 games it has played as the moneyline favorite this season.
• The Spartans have played as a favorite of -10000 or more once this season and won that game.
• Michigan State has a 99% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Rutgers has been victorious in five, or 23.8%, of the 21 contests it has been chosen as a moneyline underdog in this season.
• Oddsmakers have given the Scarlet Knights the worst odds of winning they have seen this season with a +3000 moneyline listed for this contest.
• Rutgers has an implied victory probability of 3.2% according to the moneyline set by sportsbooks for this matchup.