Purdue visits Michigan State on Tuesday night in a key Big Ten matchup. The game will be played at Jack Breslin Student Events Center, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET. Michigan State holds second place in the conference with a 20-5 record, while Purdue sits in third at 19-7.
These teams met last March, with Purdue winning 67-62. Purdue is coming off back-to-back losses and has fallen in the rankings. Michigan State is looking to hold off Purdue and stay in the race for first place.
Purdue Preview – Defense Needs to Step Up
Purdue has lost two straight, falling to Michigan and Wisconsin. Their defense struggled against Wisconsin, allowing 94 points while letting the Badgers shoot over 60% from the field. The Boilermakers need to tighten up defensively to compete against the Spartans.
Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn leads Purdue in scoring with 19.4 points per game and also grabs 6.3 rebounds. Guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer add to the scoring with Smith averaging 16 points and 8.8 assists per game. Loyer is a strong three-point shooter, hitting 45.3% from beyond the arc.
Purdue has been solid on the road, covering the first-half moneyline in 27 of their last 39 games. However, they have struggled to hit first-half overs, doing so in just one of their last 12 away games.
Michigan State Preview – Balanced Attack Leads the Way
Michigan State is coming off a 79-65 win over Illinois, where they overcame a 16-point deficit. The win marked Tom Izzo’s 354th conference victory, the most in Big Ten history. The Spartans are trying to stay near the top of the standings with a shot at first place.
Michigan State has a balanced scoring attack, with nine different players leading the team in scoring in different games. Jaxon Kohler was the difference in their last game, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. They rely on strong team play rather than a single star.
The Spartans have been strong at covering the spread, doing so in 22 of their last 35 games. They also tend to play in low-scoring games, hitting the under in 23 of their last 35 contests.
Betting Prediction
Michigan State is favored in this game, and their strong home performance gives them an edge. Purdue’s defense has been a problem lately, allowing too many open looks and struggling to force turnovers. The Boilermakers will need to slow down Michigan State’s balanced attack to keep this game close.
Trends point toward the under as both teams have hit team total unders often. Michigan State has also been consistent against the spread, making them a solid pick to cover at home.
Pick: Michigan State -3
What a game this should be. A ton on the line when these two Big Ten giants mix it up. We expect a very competitive basketball game on Tuesday night!
