Purdue Basketball: Boilers, Michigan State to tangle

Purdue basketball now knows who it will play Friday at noon in its first game of the Big Ten Tournament at Minneapolis.

The Boilermakers will entertain Michigan State for the second time this season. The Spartans (19-13) advanced after knocking off Minnesota, 77-67, in their opening game Thursday. Against Minnesota, Michigan State got 17 points from A.J. Hoggard and another 15 from Tyson Walker.

The Spartans utilized a 15-2 run over a five minute stretch to pull away from the Golden Gophers in the second half.

Purdue basketball dispatched Michigan State, 80-74, on March 2 in the only regular season matchup. In that game, Purdue big man Zach Edey scored 32 points and garnered 11 rebounds to help the Boilermakers clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season crown.

Prior to the first meeting, Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter said the Spartans had weapons that can break down opposing teams.

“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 acknowledged 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.