EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Michigan State team looks to solidify its postseason positioning when it hosts a Rutgers squad seeking to build on a rare road win in a Big Ten men’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Breslin Center.

The No. 6-ranked Spartans (24-5, 14-4 Big Ten), winners of five of their last six, are chasing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights (12-17, 6-12), meanwhile, are coming off a 69-65 victory at Maryland on Sunday, just their third road win of the season.

Michigan State, led by star point guard Jeremy Fears, presents a formidable challenge. Fears is averaging 18.2 points and 10.1 assists over his last seven games, including a 26-point, 15-assist performance in an overtime win over Illinois on Feb. 7. He had 21 points and nine assists in Sunday’s 77-64 win at Indiana, where Jaxon Kohler also scored 21.

Rutgers will counter with guard Tariq Francis, who scored 19 points in the win at Maryland and is averaging 17.3 points over his last six contests. The Scarlet Knights have shown flashes, including an 85-72 win at Penn State on Feb. 18, but have struggled for consistency.

The teams met just over five weeks ago in Piscataway, with Michigan State escaping with an 88-79 overtime victory. Containing Fears, who had 24 points and eight assists in that first meeting, will be Rutgers’ primary concern.

The Spartans have been dominant at home this season, boasting a 14-1 record at Breslin Center. Rutgers has lost eight of its last 11 games overall.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.