Michigan State basketball: Series history vs. No. 2 Purdue

Michigan State basketball will face No. 2 Purdue on Saturday night and here’s what the series history looks like between the two.

Michigan State basketball heads into its first game of March needing a win desperately. The Spartans are coming off two straight losses at home and need to get back to their winning ways. Unfortunately for MSU, it travels to No. 2 Purdue on Saturday, where even the best MSU teams tend to lose. These two teams tend to be some of the best in the conference each year, and that usually makes for some exciting matchups.

Before the game gets here, however, let’s take a quick look at the series history between these two programs.

Purdue controls MSU all time

This is the one Big Ten opponent that has a comfortable lead in the all-time series. The Boilermakers lead the all-time series 75-56. I knew they led the all-time series, but I had no idea it was by this much.

Purdue is also on a three-game win streak which includes two Boilermaker victors over Michigan State last season. Purdue has also won seven of the last 10 meetings as well which is something you’re not used to seeing from MSU’s perspective.

To cap it all off, Michigan State hasn’t won at Purdue since 2014. That makes seven straight losses at Purdue for the Spartans. To put it lightly, this matchup has not been friendly to MSU in recent years, so hopefully the Spartans can change that on Saturday.

Purdue season update

As I’m sure most of you already know, Purdue is having one of the best seasons in college basketball. The Boilermakers come into this matchup with only three losses on the season, all in Big Ten road games. Those losses were to Northwestern, Nebraska, and Ohio State, so not a bad three games to lose honestly.

The Boilermakers also have a ridiculous amount of high-profile non-conference wins including Alabama, Arizona, Gonzaga, Marquette, and Tennessee. There’s a reason they’re No. 2 in the country, and those impressive wins are the biggest reason why.

Purdue can clinch a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with a win in this game. Illinois, who sits two games back, plays a little earlier on Saturday. So if the Illini lose a win for Purdue would give them the title outright.

I don’t know about you, but I’d hate for Purdue to clinch the conference against MSU. A win feels impossible, but Tom Izzo has shocked the world before and I believe he can do it again.