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West Lafayette is the site of college basketball’s biggest game of the night as the Purdue Boilermakers (22-5, 12-4) host the Spartans of Michigan State (22-5, 12-4). Currently tied for fourth in the Big Ten (second in the loss column), these schools realistically could finish as high as second in the regular season but only if they win tonight at Mackey Arena.
The Spartans have won their last two but are just 3-3 in their last six games. Minus seven players from last season’s team that won 30 games and the Big Ten Tournament, it is probably safe to say Tom Izzo has exceeded expectations with an overhauled roster. The players may be different, but the blueprint is the same as it has been for years under Izzo: tenacious, physical defense that extends beyond the three-point line and solid on the boards at both ends ranked 7th nationally with a +12.7 rebound advantage per game). The Spartans rank 20th in the country allowing just 66.1 points per game.
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It has been rare this season when Purdue has not been able to score the basketball. The Boilermakers have won five of their last six and averaged 82 points per game in the process. Just as the Spartans’ gameplan for success has remained consistent over the last decade plus, the same can be said for Purdue. The Boilermakers are elite at distributing the ball and making the extra pass. Their 19.7 assists per game ranks third in the country and their assist to turnover ratio is the best in the nation (2.16). Matt Painter’s squad ranks just 149th in the country in 3-point attempts but 19th shooting 38% from beyond the arc.
KenPom has Purdue ranked seventh in the country while Sparty is ranked No. 11. The Net also ranks the Boilermakers at No. 7. Michigan State is No. 12 in the Net. Purdue has a record of 8-5 in Quad 1 games and 4-0 in Quad 2 contests. Michigan State is 6-5 in Quad 1 affairs and 2-0 in Quad 2 games.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and…
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Publish date : 2026-02-26 16:16:00
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