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V-Cast: Michigan State gets big win against Purdue, with Michigan on the clock

On3 imageby:Paul Konyndyk•02/19/25•

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V-Cast - Comp PK PURDUE

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State moved to 12-3 in Big Ten play ahead of the first of two late-season showdowns with its in-state rival Michigan with a 75-66 victory over No. 14 Purdue at the Breslin Center on Tuesday Night. Afterward, SpartanMag staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk sorted through the numerous storylines from the game in the latest V-Cast.

V-CAST TOPICS

Defending Purdue Big Three: Purdue shot 51 percent for the game, but this was arguably the best overall defensive performance for the Spartan in Big Ten play. The reason why this defensive performance rates as highly as it does is the extent to which the Spartans threw Purdue star point guard Braden Smith off his game. Smith scored one more point than his season average against the Spartans, but he struggled to take care of the ball. Smith committed six turnovers against the Spartans, half of what Purdue finished with in this game. Michigan State turned those 12 Purdue turnovers into 19 points. In addition to turning Purdue over, the Spartans were able to convert a several live-ball turnovers into points. That is one of the reasons why the Spartans outscore Purdue 21-7 in fastbreak points.

Fears slumping, still finds way to contribute: Michigan State has notched two of its most impressive victories on the season in back-to-back games despite getting anywhere near an ‘A’ game from starting point guard Jeremy Fears who went scoreless against the Boilermakers while taking just three shots. Fears, to his credit, found ways to overcome his inability to score the basketball. He and Tre Holloman were outstanding in a tag-team role defending Braden Smith. After failing to record an assist in the opening half for Michigan State, Fears assisted on five made baskets for the Spartans in the game’s final 20 minutes. He and Holloman combined for 12 assists and just one turnovers against a Purdue team that is as good as any team in the Big Ten at forcing turnovers.

Quick-Turnaround: Michigan State has a back-loaded schedule so nearly every game for the remainder of the Big Ten regular season is against a difficult opponent. The Spartans play two games against in-state rival Michigan, the first of which is a road game in Ann Arbor in quick-turnaround scenario. The Wolverines, meanwhile, have not played a game since winning a nailbiter against Ohio State. Being the fresher team should be a significant advantage for the Wolverines, as the Spartan will limited time to prepare for Friday’s game.

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