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Michigan State Basketball: Preview, prediction vs. Purdue in Week 14

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Saturday’s Purdue vs. Michigan State basketball game will be crucial for the Big Ten title race and here’s everything you need to know.

It’s the game everyone has been waiting for. The first top-five Big Ten matchup of the season will take place on Saturday evening in East Lansing between No. 3 Purdue and No. 4 Michigan State.

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The Spartans (23-3, 11-2 Big Ten) are heading into the game riding a seven-game winning streak while the Boilermakers (23-3,12-1) just had their 19-game streak ended by Ohio State at home on Wednesday night.

Can Miles Bridges and the Spartans silence the doubters and knock off their third top-10 opponent of the season? A win would pull Michigan State into a second-place tie with the Boilermakers in the Big Ten standings and another Ohio State loss would cause a three-way knot.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State vs. Purdue game:

Date: Saturday, Feb. 9
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Breslin Center
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

If there’s one thing Michigan State needs to do on the defensive end, it’s contain Isaac Haas. The big 7-footer has been a problem for opponents all season because of the size mismatch he provides, but Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman and Gavin Schilling need to be up for the task. Keeping Ward and Jackson Jr. out of foul trouble is imperative, so maybe a soft double on Haas will work — still need to defend that 3-point line against one of the best shooting teams in college basketball.

Offensive, go right at Haas. The Spartans need to get the big man in foul trouble so by going right at him in the post, he’s almost sure to pick up a couple early fouls. Also, not settling for the outside shots will be key. No more running the clock down to five seconds and then hoisting up a prayer.

Purdue Players to Watch

The Boilermakers are one of the most complete teams in the entire country and arguably the best Michigan State has seen to date — rivaling Duke, Michigan and Ohio State. Purdue averages 83 points per game and shoot about 43 percent from the 3-point line.

  • Carsen Edwards — 17.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 40% 3-point shooting
  • Vincent Edwards — 15.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 42% 3-point shooting
  • Isaac Haas — 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 62% FG shooting
  • Dakota Mathias — 12.2 points, 4.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 47% 3-point shooting
  • P.J. Thompson — 8.2 points, 2.0 assists, 46% 3-point shooting

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Prediction

I’ve gone back and forth with this, but I truly believe Michigan State has what it takes to pull off the big win. The Breslin Center will be rocking and an emotional Tom Izzo, honoring Jud Heathcote, will help spark his team to a big win. It’ll be close for the majority of the game as we will see plenty of lead changes, but a late 3-pointer from Miles Bridges will seal the deal. Isaac Haas and Carsen Edwards will be trouble, but the Spartans will match Purdue tit-for-tat.

Final Score: Purdue 76, Michigan State 79

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