The mission for the Purdue basketball team is simple — beat Michigan State tonight and win a share of the Big Ten title.
Michigan State (17-11, 9-8) will look to play the role of spoiler when they invade Mackey Arena and take on the Boilermakers (25-3, 14-3) on Fox on 8 p.m. If Purdue can beat MSU, the Boilermakers earn a share of the Big Ten title. Purdue basketball will also share the title with a win over Illinois or Wisconsin in the final regular season games. Should Purdue win two of three, the Boilermakers will claim the Big Ten crown outright.
Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter doesn’t need any reminders of what is at stake.
“Proud of our guys. It’s hard where we sat last year when we lost at the end of the year to say we have to fight like hell and battle and have a chance to win a Big Ten championship, do well in the Big Ten Tournament and do well in the NCAA Tournament. We have done well keeping our focus , play with a purpose and do a lot of little things,” Painter said.
This is the first meeting between Purdue basketball and the Spartans this season. Painter said this year’s installment of Michigan State reminds him of Tom Izzo teams from the past.
“They, obviously, have very good guards that can break you down. They can score in bunches. From us, for a defensive standpoint, that is where it starts. First and foremost, we have to do a good job of being with those guys and making it hard for them. We talked about it with Ohio State, just trying to get the consistency of getting everyone to play well enough to put themselves in a position to win. They have a lot of bodies to throw at you,” Painter said.
Regardless of what Michigan State may throw at Purdue basketball from a defensive standpoint, Painter acknowledges the Boilers will be ready.
“No matter who we play, we will see a different look at times from people because Zach is so unique. We are ready for one on one, delayed doubles, we’ve seen a lot of things. We have to make good decisions, understand what they are doing and how they are going about it,” Painter said.
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