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Michigan State Basketball: Predicting each round of 2018 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by P.J. Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by P.J. Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 1 Michigan State (4:40 p.m. ET on March 4)

Honestly, this is as much of a toss-up as there could possibly be in the tournament final, and I’ve been going back and forth with this. On one hand, Michigan State could be absolutely rolling by this point in the tournament, playing through adversity, but on the other, Purdue has revenge on the mind.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Wisconsin

Only getting one matchup this season was robbery for Big Ten fans. Both Purdue and Michigan State had wowed experts throughout the season and the one matchup resulted in a heck of a finish thanks to a Miles Bridges 3-pointer with just seconds left.

Fans will get exactly what they wanted on March 4 with a rematch between the two Big Ten powers. Just like the first game, this one will be back and forth throughout. The Boilermakers will have the Spartans on the ropes late, but again, Bridges will come up clutch with some big-time shots to put Michigan State on top.

Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February

A late 3-pointer by Cassius Winston will be the difference, but Purdue will prove to be worthy of a top-two seed. Fans will get their money’s worth with this final.

Final Score: Purdue 65, Michigan State 67

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