Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions for rematch with Purdue

Michigan State basketball lost a heart-breaker against Purdue over a month ago and the Spartans will get a rematch on Tuesday night.

In what started out as a dream season with a 6-0 record and a big road win over Duke has since turned into a nightmare. The Spartans are just 4-8 since that hot start and top-five ranking nationally, struggling mightily in conference play.

Those struggled subsided for a couple of games recently with wins over Nebraska and Penn State but then the Spartans took a major step back with Tom Izzo’s worst-ever home loss to Iowa.

Tuesday’s game at Purdue is a chance at revenge and also an opportunity to get back on track against a solid team with a Quad 1 win. The NCAA Tournament resume needs this win.

What could we see on Tuesday night as the Spartans travel to West Lafayette?

3. Malik Hall has his best game of the season

As a freshman, Malik Hall had a couple of games where he was darn near unstoppable. He hasn’t quite had those games this year with his best contest being a 10-point, nine-rebound showing against Northwestern which was a big loss for the Spartans.

This seems like as good a time as any to break out and give his best performance of his sophomore season. He’s due.

Hall has scored in double figures four times this season and has recorded more than five rebounds just four times as well. This is the game where he’ll put all that together, posting a season-high 13 points with eight rebounds and making a big difference on the defensive end of the floor.

While Michigan State may not win, it’ll need Hall to be on his game if the Spartans want to even have a shot here on the road.

Don’t forget, his best games last season both came on the road.