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Michigan State Basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 9 Purdue in BTT semifinals

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: (L-R) Tyson Walker #2, Max Christie #5, A.J. Hoggard #11, Malik Hall #25, and Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans walk up the court during the second half of a Men's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan State Spartans won the game 69-63. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: (L-R) Tyson Walker #2, Max Christie #5, A.J. Hoggard #11, Malik Hall #25, and Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans walk up the court during the second half of a Men's Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan State Spartans won the game 69-63. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 06: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after his made basket against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on March 6, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 06: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after his made basket against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on March 6, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State pulls off the upset (again)

Michigan State has four wins over ranked teams this season (UConn, Purdue, Wisconsin x2) and it’s hoping to make that five on Saturday and improve that NCAA Tournament resume.

After winning their first two games in the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State has gone from the projected 8-seed to the No. 7 range and there’s a decent chance that a win over Purdue could lift the Spartans to a 6-seed. An appearance in the Big Ten title game would do wonders for the Spartans’ seeding and I can assure you, no 2-4 seed wants to see Michigan State.

Beating Purdue won’t be easy, but the Spartans have already done it and they have the perfect game plan to do it again. They need to put pressure on Zach Edey in the post and let Purdue try to score from the perimeter and when they can’t hit shots, the offense will shut down.

This will be a close game throughout and I think the Spartans will avoid a slow start again. They haven’t fallen behind by double figures early on during this three-game winning streak.

Tom Izzo isn’t called “Mr. March” for no reason.

dark. Next. 3 bold predictions for MSU in Big Ten Tournament

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