Michigan State sophomore forward Coen Carr has taken a tremendous "leap" this season, and that was as evident as ever in the No. 8 Spartans' win over Rutgers on Saturday.

You would think that Tom Izzo would be happy with his team following their twelfth straight win, this time coming against a star-studded Rutgers squad in Madison Square Garden. Then again, if you thought he’d be happy, you probably don’t know Tom Izzo, who can seemingly always find a teachable moment no matter what his team’s record is.

The Michigan State men’s basketball team continued their winning ways over the weekend. Led by freshman Jace Richardson’s 20 points off the bench, the Spartans took down Rutgers, 81-74, at Madison Square Garden.

Tom Izzo and No. 8 Michigan State basketball has two demons to try and conquer Saturday — a talented Rutgers squad and the Madison Square Garden aura.

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Michigan State Spartans moved to 8-0 in conference play with an 81-74 win over Rutgers University in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Head basketball coach Tom Izzo spoke with the media about the win over the Scarlet Knights.

Under the leadership of Dusty May, it looked like Michigan was poised to become the next juggernaut in the Big Ten, and while that still might be the case, the Wolverines definitely hit some stumbling blocks with recent road losses to Minnesota and Purdue.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo highlighted the performances of bench players Jase Richardson and Coen Carr in their win over Rutgers.