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Michigan State Basketball: Game preview, prediction at Purdue

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 24, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) defends Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) during the second half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) defends Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) during the second half of a game at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball is looking to exact revenge against Purdue on Saturday evening, but will the Spartans pull off the upset?

It’s been an up-and-down season for Michigan State basketball. The Spartans have been waiting to finally break out and beat a top team in the Big Ten and Saturday is their chance. No. 16 Purdue is next on the schedule and it won’t be the easiest of tasks.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 7 ideal basketball targets for 2018

The Boilermakers came into East Lansing last month and stole a victory from the Spartans in a hard-fought Big Ten battle. The two teams were tied at halftime before the Boilermakers pulled away and won by 11. Michigan State is looking for revenge.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday evening’s Michigan State basketball game:

Date: Saturday, Feb. 18
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Venue: Mackey Arena
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

There’s no doubt about it, if the Spartans are going to win, they’re going to have to pressure the post. What does that mean? It means doubling down on Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas when they get the ball and not allowing them to bully post players one-on-one. The clear advantage for Purdue is in the post and the Spartans need to make Purdue beat them outside.

As for the offensive side of the ball, getting the ball inside to Nick Ward and hoping that he can draw some fouls on Swanigan and Haas will be important. However, the Spartans may have to take advantage of strong guard play of Cassius Winston and Josh Langford. Those two are going to play an important role in this one — as well as Eron Harris.

Fun Facts

  • Caleb Swanigan was a former Michigan State commit who was verbally pledged to the Spartans for less than a month. He de-committed and then picked Purdue. His infamous words when he committed to MSU were “once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”
  • The last win over Purdue came in the Big Ten Championship last March.
  • Michigan State hasn’t won in West Lafayette since Feb. 20, 2014.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Purdue -10

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February

Prediction

While I think Michigan State can keep this close and even make the Boilermakers sweat it out in the final minutes, Purdue is just too strong in the post. Swanigan is going to have yet another double-double, but he won’t get it as easy as he did in East Lansing. Ward will counter with 10 points and eight rebounds of his own and Winston will add 12 points. Swanigan and Haas combine for 34 points and 20 rebounds, though.

Final: Michigan State 64, Purdue 73

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