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Michigan State vs Purdue preview, predictions, odds and more

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 31, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (right) and Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) talk on the bench during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo (right) and Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) talk on the bench during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here is the preview, prediction and everything else you need to know for Tuesday’s Michigan State vs Purdue game.

Michigan State is back. After a three-game losing streak near the end of January — a forgettable month — the Spartans have won four straight games by an average of 22.5 points and have taken down No. 7 Maryland at home and rival Michigan on the road in the process.

Related Story: MSU Football: 5 incoming freshmen who could start right away

Purdue is coming off a tough loss to those same Terrapins, now ranked No. 2 in the country, and the Boilermakers are in need of some momentum. Taking down the No. 8 Spartans at home would be a good start and a solid way to kickstart a strong finish to the year.

Both teams are hungry for a win and both are still looking to win the conference title — even if it seems like four losses might just eliminate them from contention with the way Iowa and Maryland are playing.

Here’s everything you need to know about Tuesday night’s big game between the No. 8 Spartans and No. 18 Boilermakers.

Details for Tuesday’s Michigan State vs Purdue game are below:

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 9
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Stadium: Mackey Arena
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: For Michigan State radio affiliates, click here. For Purdue radio affiliates, click here.

Three Keys to Victory

Feb 6, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) shoots on Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan State won 89-73. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) shoots on Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) in the second half at Crisler Center. Michigan State won 89-73. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Aggressive post defense. Matt Costello has no problem getting his hands dirty in the post, but if Deyonta Davis, Gavin Schilling and others can be just as aggressive while staying out of foul trouble, the Purdue bigs will be in for a long night.
  2. Feeding the hot hand(s). I don’t usually encourage the shooting of threes at a high rate like Michigan State has been doing lately, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Spartans need to find out who’s hot early on (Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes, Eron Harris, etc.) and keep feeding them.
  3. Winning the rebound battle. Purdue is the fifth-best rebounding team in college basketball and Michigan State is third. If the Spartans can out-rebound a lengthy team like the Boilermakers, the odds will be heavily in their favor.

Three Storylines to Follow

Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) drives to the basket in the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) drives to the basket in the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Caleb Swanigan vs. MSU. Remember when Caleb Swanigan was committed to Michigan State for a couple of weeks, if that, and then decommitted only to sign with Purdue. It was a shady process, and Tom Izzo says there are no hard feelings, but do his players feel the same?
  2. Road warriors. Four of the Spartans’ seven Big Ten victories have come on the road and all but one has been by more than 15 points. Can Michigan State take care of business against one of the conference’s top teams in a hostile atmosphere?
  3. Fouls. With the Spartans facing one of the more aggressive teams in the conference, and being aggressive themselves, will foul trouble become a factor? Two great rebounding teams will surely cause some havoc, leading to the free throw line.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan State -1

Purdue Players to Watch

  • A.J. Hammons — 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 60% FG shooting
  • Vince Edwards — 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 38.7% three-point shooting
  • Isaac Haas — 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 57.1% FG shooting
  • Caleb Swanigan — 9.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 43.2% FG shooting

Prediction

Michigan State will play some tough, physical defense, but foul trouble will hamper the Spartans’ chances of pulling away when it seems as if they have momentum. It will be difficult to guard the post with three big guys who average in the double-digit scoring range, but Costello and Davis will do just enough to make them feel uncomfortable. Denzel Valentine will further his Big Ten POY campaign with 23 points, eight assists and eight boards.

Final Score: Michigan State 75, Purdue 69

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