Michigan State basketball is riding high after its opening-round 77-67 win over Minnesota<\/a> in the Big Ten Tournament. However, the Spartans can\u2019t dwell on that for too long as another game is right around the corner. The No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers await the Spartans in the quarterfinals in what will be a huge test for MSU.<\/p>\n Can the Spartans get it done?<\/p>\n Before the game tips off, let\u2019s remind ourselves how game one went and give a quick prediction on this Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals matchup.<\/p>\n The one and only matchup between MSU and Purdue took place recently, as I\u2019m sure you all remember. Michigan State traveled to Purdue just four games ago and lost a close one 80-74. All things considered, a six-point road loss to Purdue isn\u2019t all that bad, but the Spartans had a legit chance to win this game.<\/p>\n Michigan State got off to a fast start in this game, blitzing the Boilermakers early and taking a 24-16 lead. However, Purdue fought back and actually took a 38-35 lead at the break.<\/p>\n Purdue extended their halftime lead all the way to 15 points five minutes into the second half, but MSU didn\u2019t give up. It was then the Spartans’ turn to fight back, getting the game as close as three points. Purdue, however, was able to hold on and win the game 80-74<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure all of us have some confidence going into this game, more than we maybe thought we would. That\u2019s what a close six-point loss on the road to Purdue will do. Now that the game is on a neutral court, anything seems possible to me.<\/p>\nGame one recap<\/h3>\n
Game two prediction<\/h3>\n