No. 16 Michigan at Purdue Breakdown & Prediction

No. 16 Michigan at Purdue

Time: 7PM ET

Venue: Mackey Arena

TV: Big Ten Network

Records:  Michigan 19-7, 11-3 Big Ten; Purdue 15-12, 5-9 Big Ten

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.0 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (4.6 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.5 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.2 spg).

Purdue stat leaders: Points – Terone Johnson (11.8 ppg); Rebounds – A.J. Hammons (7.2 rpg); Assists – Ronnie Johnson (3.5 apg); Steals – Bryson Scott (1.0 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W1, Purdue L2

Point Spread: Michigan -5

Prediction: On paper this looks like it should be an easy win for Michigan, and it very well may end up being just that. However, this is an important game for the Wolverines. Coming off the big win at home against Michigan State, the Wolverines need to avoid a letdown on the road against a Purdue team that is desperate for a win against a marquee team. On paper, this is a great matchup for Michigan as the Boilermakers have been very shaky on defense. The Wolverines should be able to score points at will if they are prepared to play. Purdue can do its fair share of moving up the court as well, but the Wolverines don’t need a strong defensive effort to outscore the Boilermakers in this game. Michigan hasn’t won back-to-back games since beating Purdue at home back on Jan. 30. With the Big Ten in their hands, the Wolverines have a favorable four-game stretch to end the season. Now the team just needs to go out and take care of business and not tighten up. I suspect Michigan takes care of business tonight. Michigan 76, Purdue 67

Michigan State at Purdue Breakdown & Prediction

No. 13 Michigan State at Purdue

Time: 7PM ET

Venue: Mackey Arena

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan State 21-5, 10-3 Big Ten; Purdue 15-10, 5-7

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Garry Harris (17.4 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (7.7 rpg); Assists – Keith Appling (4.9 apg); Steals – Harris (2.0 spg).

Purdue stat leaders: Points – Terone Johnson (12.2 ppg); Rebounds – A.J. Hammons (7.4 rpg); Assists – Ronnie Johnson (3.6 apg); Steals – Bryson Scott/Sterling Carter (1.0 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State L1, Purdue W1

Point Spread: Michigan State -4.5

Prediction: Back from a long vacation, both MSU and Michigan looked rough during my break. MSU is coming off a really poor loss at home to Nebraska, but that should propel them into a strong showing against Purdue. The Boilermakers have really struggled defensively over the last handful of weeks, but they are still coming off a good win at home over Indiana. Outside of the loss to Georgetown, Michigan State has been pretty strong on the road this season. I don’t see any way that Michigan State loses this game and I expect them to play much better than they did on Sunday. Michigan State 73, Purdue 65

Purdue at Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

Purdue at No. 10 Michigan

Time: 9PM ET

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: ESPN

Records:  Purdue 13-7, 3-4 Big Ten; Michigan 15-4, 7-0

Purdue stat leaders: Points – Terone Johnson (13.4 ppg); Rebounds – A.J. Hammons (6.8 rpg); Assists – Ronnie Johnson (3.7 apg); Steals – Bryson Scott (1.2 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (18.5 ppg); Rebounds – Jon Horford (4.9 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.8 apg); Steals – Caris LeVert (1.2 spg).

Current Streaks: Purdue L2, Michigan W9

Point Spread: Michigan -12

Prediction: Purdue comes in lacking in a great offense, as the Boilermakers have been held to 66 points or less in their last four outings. Michigan is one of the top offensive teams in the Big Ten, thanks to their strong shooters, especially Stauskas. Coming off a tremendous three-game stretch in which it beat top-10 teams, I expect Michigan to have a little bit of a letdown against Purdue tonight. I am not projecting a loss, but I think the Wolverines will come out a little slow and perhaps lack some energy on both sides of the ball. That will keep Michigan from scoring its usual total and allowing Purdue to get a few easy baskets it isn’t accustomed to. Matchup-wise, Michigan should dominate this game, but this is one of those games that could be dangerous if the Wolverines aren’t focused. Michigan 68, Purdue 63