PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said the "schedule gods blessed us" by having his Scarlet Knights open Big Ten play by facing two ranked teams in three days.
Rutgers (6-2, 0-1 Big Ten) dropped an 89-67 decision at No. 14 Minnesota on Sunday and faces No. 3 Michigan State (7-1, 1-0) on Tuesday at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
The early two-game start to conference play is due to the Big Ten tournament being moved up a week so it can be held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
"It's a great opportunity to play the best team at home," Pikiell admitted.