Purdue Will Dominate Michigan State In Big 10 Tourney

Michigan State vs. Purdue, 12:00 ET

Let me start by saying that I've sucked this season when it comes to hockey picks. You might be asking, why are you bringing up hockey when this is an article about a college basketball game. The reason is that I am always conscious that good things don't always last. If you followed my hockey plays last season you probably thought I was the best there was. This season, I might've been the worst. However, this college basketball season has been ridiculously profitable for us and I am not looking for that run to end any time soon. Today, we've got our sights set on a game between Michigan State and Purdue. 

Michigan State might be the most interesting team in all of college hoops. We have a Spartans team that entered the year as a ranked team and ended the year at just 19-13. You might be thinking about North Carolina from last season - a team that was the #1 team in the country before games began, and ended the season without being invited to the NCAA Tournament. Yeesh. Michigan State wasn't quite that bad, and I would guess they will make the NCAA Tournament this year, but they never really found their footing. Even against a Big 10 conference that lacks a lot of great teams, they went just 10-10. Yesterday, they were able to beat an average Minnesota team by ten points and advance to face the best team in the conference, Purdue. They only had to face Purdue once this season and it was a road game. The Spartans lost that game but it certainly was a respectable outcome as they lost 80-74. As you'd expect, Michigan State had no answer for the monster that is Zach Edey. Edey ended the game with 32 points and 11 rebounds. While losing like that might be a moral victory, and only happened a few games ago, it isn't like Michigan State magically found an answer for Edey. 

Tom Izzo agrees to a new contract. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Purdue is the favorite to win the Big 10 tournament. They are actually one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament, but frankly, I'd rather miss out on betting on them, than lose money taking them. I feel like they are good but have some obvious flaws. If Edey gets in any kind of foul trouble, this team is toast. If their outside shooting doesn't hit when Edey kicks the ball out, the team is done. There are too many issues for me to say that they will win against the best competition over and over again. Look, I could be wrong, the are 28-3 overall this season and made light work of the majority of opponents. Maybe they go on a tear and hoist the National Championship trophy. I just don't think it is worth it to bet on them to do it. What can you expect from them in this one? Well, they are once again going to dump the ball into Edey and let him cook. He's good with his back the basket and when teams collapse, he is a strong enough passer to kick the ball out. For whatever reason, he reminds me of Yao Ming, just less talented. There is always going to be a spot in basketball for a talented big who can score when you dump the ball into the post.

Michigan State played Purdue well in the first one, but that doesn't mean they will here. I'm not convinced that Purdue wins this entire tournament, but they certainly are the favorite. The thing is, college kids choke under pressure. I expect it to happen in the NCAA Tournament for Purdue, but they should escape this one with a victory. I think they also dominate Michigan State. Tom Izzo might have a good enough game plan, but the rest of the Boilermakers are good enough to carry the load even if Edey struggles a bit in the game. I'm not convinced he will, but it is a possibility. Take Purdue to cover the lower line at -6.5.

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