Tom Izzo and No. 8 Michigan State basketball has two demons to try and conquer Saturday — a talented Rutgers squad and the Madison Square Garden aura.

Only one team in the Big Ten has yet to lose in conference play and that wouldn’t change on Saturday. The Michigan State men’s basketball team took down Rutgers at Madison Square Garden in New York, 81-74,

Make it twelve straight wins for Michigan State basketball as MSU beat Rutgers. The Spartans went into the hallowed grounds of Madison Square Garden on Saturday and went toe-to-toe with two of the top freshmen in the league and came out with another impressive victory.

NEW YORK. (WILX) - No. 8 Michigan State men’s basketball just continues to roll with the Spartans’ 12 straight victory with an 81-74 win over Rutgers on Saturday afternoon. MSU now improves to 8-0 in conference play and remain at the top of the Big Ten standings.

Rutgers top freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey lead the Scarlet Knights against No. 8 Michigan State in Big Ten basketball action, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. Harper suffered an apparent ankle injury and did not play much in the second half.

Michigan State basketball has not had their fair share of luck at Madison Square Garden, but on Saturday, their luck changed. The Spartans defeated Rutgers inside of MSG, 81-74. The Spartans played their type of game, and controlled the pace of play for the majority of the contest.

After the 81-74 win over Rutgers on Saturday, it now marks 12 straight wins for the Michigan State basketball team with highlights like the victory over Illinois, North Carolina, and others. With many people impressed with the Michigan State basketball team like Magic Johnson,