No. 8 Purdue at Michigan State

WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
WHERE: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Mich.
TV: ESPN
RECORDS: Purdue is 23-5, 12-3 Big Ten; Michigan State 16-11, 8-7
OF NOTE: While Purdue punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament a long time ago, Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo find themselves on the bubble, a place the program rarely sits. It’s likely the Spartans get in, but with three games left, it’s how they play that will determine where they get seeded. A month ago, the Boilers beat Michigan State by 10 in Mackey Arena behind 26 points from JaJuan Johnson and 20 from E’Twaun Moore. Purdue is riding a five-game winning streak entering this game, while MSU is playing some of its best basketball of the season in the past four games.

Predictions: Michigan State 72, Purdue 68 (Bridges). Winning games on the road in conference play is ridiculously hard to do, especially when you’re facing a surging MSU team that wants to end the season with an exclamation point. I don’t think MSU is better than Purdue, but I do think that the Spartans want this game more than Purdue and that will show. To the Boilers credit, they keep it close, but can’t make enough shots down the stretch and the Big Ten title and any hopes of winning out for a No. 1 seed are lost.

Purdue 73, Michigan State 69 (Langdon).

Purdue 65, Michigan State 62 (Nyatawa). The last time these two teams met, the Spartans played about as well as they can play. And Purdue still won, easily. Yes, Michigan State desperately needs this game to solidify an at-large NCAA berth. And yes, road games – especially at MSU – are tough to win in this league. But the Boilers have already proved that they’re the better team. Expect Purdue to keep it close with an aggravating defensive effort, and then allow its two talented veterans (Smooge and JJ) to win it down the stretch.

Purdue 76, Michigan State 70 (Nielsen). MSU is playing close to where they were expected to play this season. Kalin Lucas looks like he is finally healed from his Achilles injury and has regained his quickness. MSU looks like they will make the tourney but don’t have solid footing on the bubble. Purdue is going for a back to back B1G title, but is going to need help from one of O$U’s opponents along the way. Knowing that if they win out and they can get another title won’t be lost on this team and I can assure you Coach Painter has pounded that into their heads. Against IU, JJ might have had the quietest 20 points of this season. I look for him to have another huge game. Sleeper big game: MSU sags off Ryne Smith since he is in a slump and he hits some important shots for the Boilers.