Jeremy Fears Jr. is the most hated player in the Big Ten, and the crowd inside Mackey Arena will let him know it tonight.
Fears and the Michigan State Spartans visit the Purdue Boilermakers with both teams making a run at a Top 4 seed in the Big Ten before the end of the schedule.
If the Boilermakers are going to beat the Spartans at home for an eighth straight time, it starts with putting the brakes on Fears and MSU's transition offense.
My Michigan State vs. Purdue predictions and college basketball picks call for a down night from Sparty’s star guard Thursday.
Michigan State vs Purdue prediction
Michigan State vs Purdue best bet: Jeremy Fears Jr. Under 15.5 points (-115)
The Purdue Boilermakers' methodical pace and efficient shooting immediately put Jeremy Fears Jr. and the Michigan State Spartans in sand.
Purdue doesn’t cough up the ball, limiting easy transition looks or fast break buckets, and MSU will start plenty of possessions from the inbounds.
Fears thrives on tempo and attacking the interior. Keeping his engine idle and forcing the Spartans to play more halfcourt sets, while pushing them to the perimeter is the game plan for Matt Painter.
Fears’ projections range from 13.6 to 14.5 points, and some books are down to 14.5 O/U on his scoring total.
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Michigan State vs Purdue same-game parlay
Purdue has won seven in a row at home versus MSU, and game projections all side with the Boilermakers, with the expected margin at five or more points.
Fears won’t be able to find his high gear, and Purdue will pack the middle and live with MSU shooting from outside. His projections sit as low as 13.6 points.
Jaxson Kohler is Sparty’s best outside shooter and could get plenty of open looks if Purdue sells out on plugging up the paint.
Michigan State vs Purdue SGP
- Purdue moneyline
- Jeremy Fears Jr. Under 15.5 points
- Jaxson Kohler Over 1.5 3-pointers
Our beyond the arc SGP: Train of pain
The last thing Purdue wants is to turn this game into a track meet. The Boilermakers’ turn down the tempo and win a slog of a Big Ten battle.
Michigan State vs Purdue SGP
- Purdue moneyline
- Purdue team total Under 74.5
- Jeremy Fears Jr. Under 15.5 points
- Jaxson Kohler Over 1.5 3-pointers
Michigan State vs Purdue odds
- Spread: Michigan State +7 | Purdue -7
- Moneyline: Michigan State +255 | Purdue -315
- Over/Under: Over 142 | Under 142
Michigan State vs Purdue betting trend to know
Purdue is 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS at home versus Michigan State since the 2014-15 season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Michigan State vs. Purdue.
How to watch Michigan State vs Purdue
| Location | Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN |
| Date | Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
Michigan State vs Purdue key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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