Winning at Purdue isn’t something that Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has done since 2014, and he’s looking to change that on Thursday night.
No. 13 Michigan State enters Thursday’s game as a 5.5-point underdog and there are some interesting similarities to that 2014 team that last won at Mackey Arena. The last time Michigan State won in Mackey, the Spartans were also ranked No. 13 and were also 22-5. History could repeat itself on Thursday night.
Not many people are giving the Spartans much of a chance, but here’s why I believe this team can pull off the road “upset” over the Boilermakers.
1. Jeremy Fears
Yes, this is an entire reason on its own. Jeremy Fears is one of the best point guards in the country and he’s shown up on the biggest stages against Illinois and Michigan. I fully expect him to be on his game against the Boilermakers with a chance to add to his Michigan State legacy by outplaying Braden Smith at Mackey.
Fears loves playing on the biggest stages and he’s going to feed off the hostile crowd. He’s going to get a lot of boos, and I can bet that’s only going to fuel him.
The All-American needs to play like an All-American and Michigan State will have a chance.
2. Rebounding advantage
Having an advantage on the glass means two things: second-chance points and transition buckets. Michigan State is at its best when it’s defending, rebounding, and running, and that’s going to be a point of emphasis on Thursday night against Purdue.
Michigan State averages about five more rebounds per game than the Boilermakers. That’s going to play in the Spartans’ advantage in the fastbreak and in second-chance opportunities.
Any time Michigan State can win the battle on the glass, it’ll have a chance to win.
3. Elite defense
Michigan State has one of the best defenses in the country, and that’s always going to keep it in games. There’s also a real goal for Thursday night: hold Purdue under 70 points.
In the five games in which Purdue has failed to reach 70 points this season, the Boilermakers are just 2-3 and the two wins were by a combined nine points against USC and Oregon. If Michigan State can defend and hold the Boilermakers under 70 points, it’s going to have a real shot.
Michigan State has already held some really good teams under 70 points this season like Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, and Nebraska. The Spartans can absolutely do the same vs. Purdue. They’re 17-2 when they hold teams under 70 points.