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Purdue vs. Michigan State: Spartans look to rebound from loss in Big Ten opener

Following a loss to Minnesota on Monday, the Spartans will look to get right against conference-worst Purdue in East Lansing.

By Jeff Newman
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Five days removed from a road loss in its conference opener, the No. 18 Michigan State Spartans are hoping for a different result when they host the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday.

The Spartans (11-3, 0-1) have won 10 straight conference home openers, and 27 out of 28 overall at the Breslin Center, including a 9-0 mark this season.

Purdue (7-6, 1-0) enter today's game with the worst record in the Big Ten, but on the heels of a 68-61 upset of No. 11 Illinois on Wednesday. Michigan State last played Monday, suffering a 76-63 loss to No. 9 Minnesota.

If the Spartans can rediscover their defensive grit after allowing the Golden Gophers to shoot 56.6 percent from the field, it should serve them well against the Boilermakers, who are shooting 41.9 percent on the season, second worst in the Big Ten. Offensively, the Spartans are led by junior Keith Appling and freshman Gary Harris, who average 14.9 and 12.3 points per game, respectively.

Michigan State has won three consecutive against Purdue, and last season rolled over the Boilermakers in East Lansing, 83-58.

Time: 12 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Network