PISCATAWAY - Rutgers plays its second consecutive ranked foe and third straight opponent receiving votes or better when it hosts No. 3/3 Michigan State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in its Big Ten home opener. The Scarlet Knights (9) and Spartans (10) combine to lead or place second in the Big Ten in 19 statistical categories. RU will be working to earn its highest-ranked victory in program history and capture its first win over a ranked for since defeating No. 4 Wisconsin 67-62 on Jan. 11, 2015.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will hold its annual toy drive Tuesday evening. In conjunction with drive, the Rutgers Leadership Academy (RLA) will sponsor a halftime "Teddy Bear Toss." All fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used teddy bears to the RAC for the contest with the Spartans. At halftime, fans will throw the stuffed animals upon the court when instructed. All teddy bears will be donated to children in need this holiday season as part of the annual SAAC Toy Giveaway. Bins will be set up in the RAC lobby to accept all new toys, other than teddy bears, donated in original packaging. In additional to the toy drive and teddy bear toss, Rutgers students will receive free rally towels. Students can claim their tickets here.

Rutgers is in the midst of playing four of seven games against opponents ranked or receiving votes. Tuesday's game marks the earliest date Rutgers has played a top 5-ranked opponent since playing at No. 1 Cincinnati on Nov. 30, 1996. RU has never hosted a top 5 foe this early in its schedule. MSU has won the prior five meetings between the schools, including two at the RAC. Corey Sanders is averaging 19.3 points in three career games versus the Spartans, boosted by 22 on 9-of-16 shooting in the last match-up.

Tuesday's game will be televised live on BTN, with Dave Revsine calling the action and Jon Crispin providing the analysis. On the radio, the contest will be broadcast live on the Rutgers IMG Sports Network, WOR 710 AM in New York and WCTC 1450 AM in New Brunswick, as well as on Sirius/XM 83. Jerry Recco will serve as play-by-play announcer and Joe Boylan will provide commentary. WRSU (88.7 FM) will also broadcast the game.

Rutgers had five players post double digits in an 89-67 defeat at No. 12 Minnesota Sunday in the Big Ten opener for both schools. The Gophers pulled away late. Mamadou Doucoure led the quintet in double-figure scoring with 13 points, while adding nine rebounds. Deshawn Freeman had a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Geo Baker added 12 points, while Eugene Omoruyi had 11 and Sanders 12. Doucoure set career-highs in points and rebounds, as RU had five players score in double-figures for the first time since six players on Nov. 13, 2016 at Miami.

RU is among the top 25 in 11 NCAA statistical categories and is first or second in the Big Ten in nine stat categories.

Under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, Michigan State leads the nation in FG% defense (34.2), is fourth in blocks-per-game (7.3) and is fifth in rebound margin (12.4). The Spartans have won six straight, including double-digit victories over No. 9 North Carolina and No. 5 Notre Dame. Big Ten Preseason Player of the year Miles Bridges is one of five players averaging double figures for MSU, which downed Nebraska 86-57 at home on Sunday.

Single game men's basketball tickets are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase flex ticket plans or a "Pikiell's Presents" package. Flex ticket plans enable fans to select any four games from the home schedule to create their own package. "Pikiell's Presents" includes two section 110 tickets to the games versus Stony Brook (Dec. 22) and Hartford (Dec. 28), along with two food vouchers per game and ugly holiday sweater t-shirts.
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