Venue/ Stadium: Jack Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing, MI
Michigan State (15-4) has lost 2 straight Big 10 games and now they head home to play a solid Purdue (14-5) team that is coming off a win and has won 2 straight against the Spartans on their home floor.
Time/Date: 12 PM EST Saturday, January 21, 2011
NCAA Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): OFF
Over/Under: OFF
Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 9 Michigan State Spartans Preview
However, MSU has yet to lose at home this season and the Boilermakers are 0-2 facing ranked teams this season.
In their last games Purdue beat Iowa 75-68 and Michigan State lost to in-state rival Michigan 60-59.
This season Purdue is 8-8 ATS with an O/U record of 8-8 and MSU is 10-6 ATS with an O/U record of 8-7-1.
MSU will have to play better D than they did against Michigan when they allowed the Wolverines to shoot almost 52% from the floor and they were out-rebounded 31-18.
The Spartans’ 2 leading scorers of Draymond Green (15.4 ppg) and Keith Appling (21.7 ppg) only combined to score 17 ppg against Michigan and they have to find their range in this home game That may just happen, as Appling is averaging almost 20 ppg in his last 3 home games.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
One player the Spartans really have to key on is Purdue’s leading scorer and rebounder Robbie Hummel (16 ppg 6.3 rpg), who had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Iowa. Hummel will need help on offense from G Ryne Smith (10.2 ppg). Smith is shooting over 45% from beyond the 3-point arc and if he can knock down the 3 it will open up the lane for Hummel to operate.
One HUGE concern for the Boilermakers in this game is on the boards, as they only rank 177th in the nation in rebounds per game while the Spartans rank 10th. Green is averaging 10.1 rpg and has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in his last 4 games. Purdue has to body up on him and keep him from dominating the glass, especially on the offensive end of the court.
MSU ranks 32nd in the nation in team FG% and Purdue must play good D and not let them get easy shots.
Betting Trends
Purdue is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win, 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against teams from the Big Ten, and they have an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games.
MSU is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games, 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall, and they have an Over record of 5-0 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: MSU has lost 2 straight, but they seem to be a different beast at home, which is why they will win this game and cover the spread. (Have to think they will be favored by several points, but it will not matter, as they will cover.)
