Michigan @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 9, 2020 ) Purdue 78, Michigan 84

Michigan looks to continue its late-season surge when it visits Purdue on Saturday. The Wolverines have won six of their last seven games, including four straight following a 60-52 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday, and they hope to climb back into the national rankings by knocking off the Boilermakers on the road for the first time since Feb. 26, 2014.

“I see a lot of growth in this group,” Michigan coach Juwan Howard told reporters. “Each and every guy in that locker room and on this team has been positive throughout the process and now we’re improving.” Purdue’s NCAA Tournament hopes are hanging by a thread following a 69-65 setback to Wisconsin on Tuesday. The Boilermakers have dropped three consecutive games to fall below .500 in the Big Ten standings, and they aim to play their way on to the right side of the bubble by avenging a double-overtime loss to the Wolverines earlier in the season. “Everybody is beatable and the games that we’ve lost have been winnable games,” Purdue forward Trevion Williams told reporters. “We know what we can do and we know we can play and get after teams.”

TIME: 2 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN

ABOUT MICHIGAN (17-9, 8-7 Big Ten): Zavier Simpson registered 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals in the win against Rutgers to become the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 points and 500 assists for his career. Franz Wagner added 12 points and eight rebounds while David DeJulius provided 10 points off the bench to help the Wolverines end the Scarlet Knights’ 17-game home winning streak. Isaiah Livers, who is averaging a team-leading 13.3 points this season, missed the win over Rutgers with an ankle injury and he will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

ABOUT PURDUE (14-13, 7-9): Williams, who has started 18 games this season, provided a big boost in a reserve role as he scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the loss to Wisconsin to record his seventh double-double of the season. “I could care less about starting but I just want my team to win the game,” Williams said. “I tried my best to be mature about it and came in and gave what I could.” Nojel Eastern added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists while Sasha Stefanovic finished with 11 points, but the Boilermakers were unable to dig out of a 13-point hole with just over 10 minutes left to play.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Simpson is tied for first nationally in assists per game (eight).

2. Four of the last six meetings between the teams have been decided by six points or fewer.

3. Michigan C Jon Teske needs two rebounds to reach 600 for his career.

PREDICTION: Michigan 72, Purdue 68