MSU vs. Purdue Preview

If this matchup between the Purdue Boilermakers and Michigan State Spartans happened to be the season opener this game would be getting hype all over. The Spartans entered the season ranked #4 in the polls which was just behind #3 Purdue. Since the start of the season the teams have gone in different directions. Purdue has literally only lost 3 games this year (none at home). Tom Izzo’s squad on the other hand has not been able to live up to the hype. Michigan State now sits at 17-11 after losing both home games as a heavy favorite last week. Tom Izzo had great praise for Purdue calling them “the best team in the nation.” The game is set to be played on Saturday night at 8 with coverage on FOX.

Playing in Mackey has not been kind to the Spartans recently, to put it lightly. The Spartans have not won here since the 2013-14 season. To put this into perspective I was still in grade school. The first thing you probably think of when Purdue is mentioned is Zach Edey. It’s pretty hard not to as he is 7’4 and the reigning and probably back to back National Player of the year. Zach is one of the most dominant college players of all time because of his size but not only that; Edey has great footwork and is a top tier rim protector on the defensive end. Edey’s development on the defensive end is one of the main reasons Purdue has beat so many top teams this year. Oh yeah and he just casually averages 24 and 12. Teams Purdue has beat this year include: #11 Gonzaga, #7 Tennessee, #4 Marquette, and #1 Arizona (these ranks reflect their rank at the time of the game). The Boilermakers are far from just a team carried by Zach Edey. Sophomore Point Guard, Braden Smith has quickly turned into one of the best guards in the country. Head Coach, Matt Painter has given Smith the keys to take full control of the offense this year and it is paying off. Smith is averaging 3 more points and assists per game than last year as well as a spike in his rebounding. Smith is on the watchlist for the Bob Cousy award given to the best PG in all of Men’s College Basketball. You can’t just be the #2 team in the country getting carried by 2 players. The Boilermakers also have elite role players who would be stars on other teams. Lance Jones, Fletcher Loyer and Mason Gillis are integral parts of this team, and that’s without even mentioning Trey Kaufman-Renn. Jones, Loyer, and Gillis are all excellent 3 point shooters. This is a big part of Purdue’s game because if its not a Zach Edey paint bucket, he’s probably kicking it out to someone for 3. Purdue is 6th in the nation in points per game and 4th in KENPOM adjusted offensive efficiency. Purdue is not just an offensive team as they also rank 12th in KENPOM defensive efficiency. And just because I said all of this nice stuff about Purdue doesn’t mean that I don’t hate them, I do. The way the refs officiate Zach Edey is a disgrace and I will leave it at that.

As you can probably see, the Spartans have their work cut out for them. Even though last week was a complete disaster I’m going to try to stay positive. Whenever I get too negative on any of my favorite teams it seems like it just causes them to do worse. After listening to Tom Izzo’s monday presser I feel very confident that he will right the ship. Izzo seemed a little bit annoyed that he was taking what most, including myself felt like was fair criticism. Izzo was especially grilled by reporters on how he handled Xavier Booker’s minutes against Ohio State last week. I am very interested to see if Izzo starts Booker again. Booker has a much smaller frame than Carson Cooper or Mady Sissoko and that matters when playing 7’4, 300 pounder Zach Edey. The battle between backcourts of Walker/Hoggard for MSU and Loyer/Smith for Purdue is going to be must see TV. In my opinion Michigan State should try their best to limit all of Purdue’s players outside of Edey. When teams have focused strictly on Edey this year it has cost them because of his improved passing along with his teammates development from last year. To keep it simple, the Spartans are going to have to make some shots. MSU has shown they are capable of playing with anyone which is why stuff like last week is so annoying. Tyson Walker needs to have one of his classic games if the Spartans want to have a chance to win this game. I am very confident that this team will respond and come out with some fire. The thing about playing at Purdue is that they make every single shot at home. Well, not really, but it for sure seems like it. I am not sure if I have picked against MSU so far but I am going to do it here. As a true fan, you have to be honest with yourself and I can’t see this team playing well enough for 40 minutes to win in Mackey Arena.