EAST LANSING – No. 13 Michigan State is set to host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the final regular game of the season at the Breslin Center.

Three four-year seniors will be honored for MSU’s senior night, as well as two transfers, who are closing their only year wearing the Green and White. 

MSU’s starting frontcourt are the most impactful honorees, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper. Both came to East Lansing in 2022 with limited capabilities, but year-over-year progressed into a solid veteran foundation that has been leaned on during the toughest moments of the season.

Nick Sanders, Trey Fort and Denham Wojcik will also receive a final send-off by kissing the middle of the court (hopefully uninterrupted) on Thursday.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikell couldn’t manage to make a tournament appearance with two top-five picks last season. This season, with less talent, it’s a similar result for the Scarlet Knights, who are 12-17 overall and 5-13 in conference play.

In the expanded conference format, this is the rare instance of playing a team twice in one season. In the first game, Rutgers had the Spartans on the ropes in the second half, but a 29-point performance from Jeremy Fears Jr. lifted MSU to an 88-79 overtime win.

Rutgers joined the Big Ten in 2013 and has yet to come away with a victory in front of the Izzone; MSU is 8-0 when hosting the Scarlet Knights.

Michigan State protects its home court as well as anyone in the country, as it has beaten every unranked opponent at the Breslin Center this season.

The Spartans have the opportunity to clinch a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win over the Scarlet Knights. MSU is currently the No. 2 seed in the conference and can remain there by winning its last two games or finishing 1-1 with a Nebraska loss.

Tip-off for the Spartans’ senior night is at 8 p.m. Catch Jack Stager and Joe Dez on their final call from the Breslin Center on the Impact 89 FM stream here: https://impact89fm.org/listenlive/