Conference Tournament GOY (Purdue vs. MSU)

Nesser25 · #1 03-11-2011, 01:26 PM

This is the only game that will be on my card this evening, and it's a big one. MSU has beaten Purdue in their only two meetings in the conference tournament, winning, 54-42, and 70-58. Purdue is 12-10 all-time at Conseco Fieldhouse, and is 8-12 all-time at the Big Ten Tournament. I believe that streak continues tonight. Michigan State is the only Big Ten team to reach the quarterfinals in all 14 conference tournaments, and even though the win against Iowa was sloppy, they will come to play tonight. What I have noticed about this Purdue team is that when they start to feel pressure, they fold (conference championships, big ten titles, number one seeds on the line, advancing in the big dance). It has always been that way for the Boilermakers, a team I have followed closely. A Big Ten Championship was potentially on the line as well as a number one seed and they went into Iowa and failed miserably from Coach Painter, down through the players. If you can't get ready for and play well enough against Iowa when all those marbles on the table, I don't see them being ready today where another goal is on the line for Purdue (winning the conference tournament). Iowa was the earthquake on this program, Michigan State will be the aftershock and then we will see how Purdue performs when they continue to drop in seeding come the tournament. This is a game where I expect Purdue to collapse. It's March Madness time and the pressure is building for teams throughout the nation on not only winning their conference tournament, but punching their ticket as well and improving their seeding. Some people have Michigan State penciled in regardless of the outcome of tonight's match up, some people have them still on the bubble and needing this win to advance. I can't think of a better coach in the nation that will have his players ready for victory in March than Tom Izzo, especially with a tournament bid at stake. This is a team that historically overcomes all obstacles and expectations when everything is on the line in March. Purdue is a team that underachieves and folds when the pressure is on in March.

Purdue embarrassed Michigan State at home by twenty on February 27th, a 27th, a loss still fresh in MSU's memory. That statistics are clear, Purdue has dominated Michigan State in the regular season, but...the circumstances after Purdue's let down against Iowa with everything on the line at the time and Michigan State in March playing for a tournament bid changes the numbers in this contest. Tom Izzo knows what is on the line today, and so does his players. This is another huge letdown spot for Purdue and I expect Draymond Green to have a monster game carrying the Spartans to victory and putting the final stamp on their ticket for the big dance. Lucas, who's ankle is slightly hurting will be playing this evening, and I expect him to be a contributing counter-piece to the win against Purdue today. Leadership and quality coaching will keep the Spartans within the number, and my numbers have them winning this one s/u.

CTGOY Michigan State Spartans +7 BIG

Michigan State +280 small

Final Score Projection
Michigan State 72
Purdue 66

Other leans this evening, but no play. Michigan ML. Staying away based on what's going being put on this game.

Best of luck everyone,

Nesser

NightCap424 · #2 03-11-2011, 01:35 PM

good luck tonight nesser....knowing you are a Purdue fan like myself, this makes me

good luck regardless

Keith · #3 03-11-2011, 01:37 PM

gl Nesser.

BOBBYW · #4 03-11-2011, 02:04 PM

gl..

Cali Roots · #5 03-11-2011, 02:06 PM

GL Nesser! Can MSU score 72 pts?? JK

Nesser25 · #6 03-11-2011, 04:03 PM

Thanks, guys. I think this will be a much better game out of Michigan State than most are projecting. There's a good chance that the whole state of Michigan (Big Ten Fans) will be happy as a whole for once after tonight's game in the Big Ten Tournament. I have spoken with a few Boilermaker fans that are expressing some optimism that they respond with a convincing win after the debacle that took place Iowa City. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. Best of luck

FlyersFan · #7 03-11-2011, 04:08 PM

nesser first of all good luck.

second of all i think you're smoking crack lol (second purdue guy i've accused of smoking crack today). I just can't back MSU at all. They have shown no signs of being a different team at all in the last 2 months. Had a realy hard time with a very average Iowa team away from Iowa City. I am not on the game so hope you get it but i really would like to see purdue win and play OSU in a rematch on Sunday if both teams can get there. I don't think the game will be a blow out and actually think the number is pretty spot on but we shall see as they say.

jaspegs · #8 03-11-2011, 04:08 PM

gonna tag along on this!! lets gooo MSU

Nesser25 · #9 03-11-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solons

nesser first of all good luck.

second of all i think you're smoking crack lol (second purdue guy i've accused of smoking crack today). I just can't back MSU at all. They have shown no signs of being a different team at all in the last 2 months. Had a realy hard time with a very average Iowa team away from Iowa City. I am not on the game so hope you get it but i really would like to see purdue win and play OSU in a rematch on Sunday if both teams can get there. I don't think the game will be a blow out and actually think the number is pretty spot on but we shall see as they say.

Appreciate your kind words, and insight on tonight's game. I think that Purdue could look pretty similar tonight to a Big Ten powerhouse that we saw struggle earlier today, Ohio State. Who probably should have lost already. I think it's a long shot for Purdue and OSU to meet for any kind of a rematch in the Big Ten tournament this year. Ohio State will have a difficult time getting past Michigan, and if Purdue survives somehow, if will be a chore getting past Wisconsin. Best of luck on your plays, hopefully OSU can get in the championship game, it doesn't look like it's going to be easy.