Michigan State Basketball: Final score predictions for rematch at Purdue

Michigan State basketball gets a rematch with Purdue on Tuesday night and Mackey Arena hasn’t been kind to the Spartans in the past.

Tom Izzo knows how important every single game is from here on out and he probably also realizes that if Michigan State beat Purdue over a month ago after building a 17-point second-half lead, this may be a completely different season. That loss demoralized this team.

Revenge could be on the mind of the Spartans in this one.

Izzo needs to coach much better and rely on the rotations that work — like Marcus Bingham Jr. playing the majority of minutes in the post — and this team needs to defend the perimeter much better than it did against Iowa last weekend.

Does the Spartan Avenue staff believe revenge is in the plans?

Connor Muldowney: Honestly, it’s hard to even be positive about Michigan State basketball anymore. The Spartans haven’t shown much in the past two months to bring hope back to the fans, even in their recent two-game winning streak. Losing to Iowa by 30 at home may be the lowest point of Tom Izzo’s career and the team may just be defeated although they’re talking like they’re ready to put together a run. Aaron Henry will put the team on his back in this one but it won’t be enough as MSU blows a late lead and loses in heart-breaking fashion to Purdue again.

Final Score: Michigan State 62, Purdue 64

Jack Williams: If I keep predicting MSU to win, it’ll eventually happen, right? Michigan State looked bad against Iowa, but is a better team than Purdue. We saw the Spartans outplay Purdue earlier in the year and get hosed by awful officiating. MSU should get this win, but it won’t be pretty.

Final Score: Michigan State 67, Purdue 58

Carter Landis: I don’t really have much optimism for this team anymore. An absolute drubbing against Iowa has all but put the nail in the coffin for the season and the tournament streak. Might as well just get ready for next year.

Final Score: Michigan State 63, Purdue 78

Conner Linsner: Michigan State had a big lead versus Purdue earlier in the season and blew it in a horrendous second half. After a terrible loss to Iowa the Spartans need to get some sort of traction going if they want to make the NCAA tournament. Michigan State will end up winning in Mackey (a place they have recently struggled in) and keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive.

Final Score: Michigan State 69, Purdue 67

Stephen Robb: It’s do or die time for MSU. I thought the Spartans turned a corner but looked lost against Iowa. This is what happens when you have recruiting missteps. I don’t think Michigan State can beat either Purdue or Indiana. Coach Izzo needs a strong point guard to run things and it is the reason Foster Loyer is on the floor. No, he’s not great but he knows where everyone needs to be. AJ Hoggard is still learning. The same struggles continue.

Final Score: Michigan State 64, Purdue 78