Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is trying to keep his team afloat after some costly injuries and poor shooting. The Spartans are ranked 13th in the country, but have struggled of late. They will need to win this game on Thursday in Indiana against Purdue if they want to hold onto their ranking. The Boilermakers can be the team that plays the role of spoiler tonight on their own court, but we see Michigan State pulling this one out in the end.
A win on Thursday night in this Big Ten battle would keep the Spartans at the top of the conference standings. In fact, it would put them alone in first place, just percentage points ahead of the Michigan Wolverines, whom they play on Sunday. After losing once in their first 19 games, the Spartans have dropped four of their last seven games played. This is their only meeting of the season with Purdue.
In what has been a shaky season so far, the Boilermakers will look to grab a statement win on Thursday night when they host their conference rivals. Purdue comes into this game with a 15-10 overall record and a 5-7 mark in the Big Ten. In their last seven games played overall, the Boilermakers have lost five. Their remaining schedule does not get any easier as they have to face three more ranked teams after Michigan State comes to town.
The oddsmakers at Sportsbetting.ag have the Spartans as 4.5-point road chalk against their Big Ten rivals. This could very well be a trap game for the Spartans due to their recent injuries and poor shooting performances, but we think they can get out of Indiana with a win. That is why we will bet 10 percent of our bankroll on Michigan State as we lay the line.
