EAST LANSING — Tom Izzo expected a rock fight and got one.
Rutgers pounded the boards all night. But Michigan State basketball’s defense swarmed the Scarlet Knights despite all their second chances, and the Spartans put together an old-school showing in a must-win moment.
With a watershed moment for freshman Jaxon Kohler.
Kohler helped MSU overcome early post problems by getting career highs with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Spartans’ tougher-than-it-looked 70-57 victory Thursday night at Breslin Center.
MSU held Rutgers to 2-for-17 3-point shooting while the Spartans took advantage of making 12 of 22 from deep.