Michigan St. @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 27, 2019 ) Michigan St 63, Purdue 73

No. 8 Michigan State looks to stay perfect in Big Ten play when its visits Purdue for a conference game on Sunday. The Spartans have won eight straight overall, including a home win over Minnesota on Thursday, while the Boilermakers come in having dropped two in a row, including a double-overtime decision at Michigan on Thursday.

Coach Tom Izzo's squad looks like it's hitting on all cylinders, and much of that can be attributed to the play of All-American point guard Cassius Winston, who leads the team with 19.4 points and 6.3 assists. Junior forward Xavier Tillman has also been playing great, as he is the only Division I player to average at least 14 points (14.3), 10 rebounds (10.2), three assists (3.0) and two blocks (2.1). The Boilermakers received good news for this one with the word that junior center Matt Haarms (10.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) will be able to play after getting knocked out of the loss to Michigan with a hip injury. In Haarms' absence, sophomore forward Trevion Williams had the game of his career, setting personal standards of 36 points and 20 rebounds in the loss.

TIME: Noon ET. TV: CBS

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (13-3, 5-0 Big Ten): The Spartans lead the nation in assists per game with 19.8, and while Winston is putting up some great numbers passing the ball, he's not the only reason Michigan State has so many assists. Aaron Henry is second on the team, averaging 3.3 for the season after recording seven in the win over Minnesota. Tillman is next on the list with three per game, and eight Spartans are averaging at least one, as the ball moves around quickly and with precision to get good shots.

ABOUT PURDUE (9-7, 2-3): Purdue has a pair of big men to rely on for points in Haarms and Williams, but the Boilermakers need to find some outside shooting if they're going to get back into the Big Ten race. Purdue has hit just 9-of-36 beyond the arc over the last two games, making it that much harder for the big men to find room in the paint. On the season, the Boilermakers are connecting on 33.2 percent of their 3-pointers; in Big Ten play, they're hitting just 26.3 percent, with Sasha Stefanovic, who has the most 3-pointers on the team, leading the way at 38.2 percent.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Winston (808) is just eight assists away from tying former Spartan Mateen Cleaves for the all-time lead in Big Ten history.

2. Purdue has a 14-game home winning streak in Big Ten play, dating back to the 2017-18 season.

3. Michigan State ranks second in the nation in rebound margin at plus-11.0.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 74, Purdue 66