Michigan State Spartans (17-11) vs. Purdue Boilermakers (25-3)
March 2, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Purdue Boilermakers -9.5; Over/Under: +145.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Michigan State Spartans will play the Purdue Boilermakers in a Big Ten game on Saturday night at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana. Let’s take a look at the Michigan State preview, Purdue preview, betting matchup, and the Michigan State vs Purdue prediction.
Michigan State Preview
The Michigan State Spartans are 17-11 (9-8) this year after they lost to Ohio State by a score of 60-57 in their last game. Michigan State led 32-22 at halftime, but they were out scored 38-25 in the second half in the loss. The Spartans shot 40% from the field and were -7 in rebounding margin in the game. Michigan State lost to Iowa by a score of 78-71 in the game prior to Ohio State, but they did win the previous three games. The Spartans are scoring 74.4 points per game with 34.4 rebounds per game and 16.7 assists per game, while giving up 66 points against per game this year. Tyson Walker is averaging 18.1 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Michigan State is shooting 47.1% from the field, 70% on free throws, and 36.7% on three pointers this season.
Purdue Preview
The Purdue Boilermakers are 25-3 (14-3) this season after they defeated Michigan by a score of 84-76 in their last game. Purdue led 47-36 at halftime, but they were out scored 40-37 in the second half in the win. The Boilermakers shot 47.1% from the field and were +13 in rebounding margin in the game. Purdue defeated Rutgers by a score of 96-68 in the game prior to Michigan, but did lose to Ohio State before that. The Boilermakers are scoring 84.8 points per game with 40.9 rebounds per game and 18.4 assists per game, while allowing 70.1 points against per game this season. Zach Edey is averaging 23.7 points per game, 11.8 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game. Purdue is shooting 49.1% from the field, 72.2% on free throws, and 40.2% on three pointers this year. Purdue will meet Illinois after this one.
Michigan State vs Purdue Betting Prediction
Purdue comes into this matchup leading the Big Ten by a couple of games and they will be at home, where they are so difficult to beat. The Boilermakers are scoring over 84 points per game and they are shooting 49.1% from the field. Michigan State has been extremely inconsistent this season and they had an epic second half collapse against Ohio State last weekend, but they do play pretty solid defense. The Spartans are going to have to rebound better than they normally do if they want to keep this game close, but this feels like a game that MSU is going to stay in. Take the Spartans with the points here.
