Purdue at Michigan: TV, Time, Odds, Preview, & More

Purdue needs to test the theory that anything can happen in this year's Big Ten. Four weeks ago Wisconsin went to Northwestern and pounded the Wildcats 76-49 in a game that wasn't even that close. Last night, the Wildcats somehow turned the tables with a brilliant second half as they beat Wisconsin 65-56. If that isn't proof that anything can happen this year, nothing is.

That is one reason I have some hope tonight even though Purdue now rates dead last among Big Ten teams in the RPI and they have to face a Michigan team that is running away from anyone not named Michigan State. Two seasons ago the Boilers went to Ann Arbor and stunned the Wolverines on Senior Day to pick up a huge win for their NCAA resume against a team that was undefeated at home. So far the only team to win at Michigan is currently ranked No. 1 in the country, but maybe that can change tonight.

Michigan is on a roll. They just earned three of the more impressive victories in league play by winning at Wisconsin and Michigan State sandwiched around a home win over a very good Iowa team. They are doing this despite losing a lottery pick in Trey Burke and losing all-Big Ten center Mitch McGary. They have had close calls, but 7-0 in this year's Big Ten is very impressive when you consider how many upsets there have been.

A major reason for their success is Nik Stauskas, who is playing like a Big Ten player of the Year candidate by averaging 18.3 points and 3.8 assists per game. Last year Stauskas was good, but he has become a force through which Michigan runs its offense. He is joined by fellow sophomores Glenn Robinson III (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Caris LeVert (11.9 ppg) as the Wolverins are generally balanced. We're more than familiar with Little Dog, but LeVert is playing a much bigger role this season and has increased his scoring by almost 10 points per game. Derrick Walton Jr. and Zak Irvin have been solid performers as freshmen, while Jordan Morgan provides experience and senior leadership as the elder statesman of the team.

This team lost a lot from last year's run to the NCAA title game, but it still has a lot of talent and has been playing like it in league play. As much as Stauskas does, everyone else helps out and has a solid role. Should McGary return this is a team capable of making another deep run in March.

So how does Purdue beat them? Well, it starts with the much-maligned Terone Johnson. Some of the best games in TJ's Purdue career have come against the Wolverines. Last season he had a career high 32 points in a losing effort in Mackey Arena. In the last victory over Michigan back in 2012 TJ had 22 on 9 of 12 shooting in Ann Arbor. Even as a freshman his only Big Ten game in double figures was the 80-57 win in Ann Arbor to open the Big Ten season.

It is also on A.J. Hammons, who should have some room to operate with McGary out. Purdue desperately needs the physically dominant A.J. to show up tonight, as he will be matched up with seniors Jon Horford and Morgan on the low block. Neither player can contain good A.J., however.

I realize I am asking two of Purdue's most inconsistent players (especially over the last two games) to have a big game in this one, but Purdue needs that most nights in order to win. As well as Michigan has played they have not been a good rebounding team. Last year Sandi Marcius had one of his best games in a Purdue uniform even when they had McGary, so a dialed in Hammons should be able to be unstoppable.

Michigan is an excellent scoring team at 77.3 points per game, and as we know, Purdue's defense has, well, sucked to be kind. The Boilers don't have anyone that can match up with Little Dog's raw athleticism and Stauskas is laying waste to everyone. This is before you consider LeVert and Walton, who are both capable of 20 point games any given night. Stauskas can score from anywhere and they have a roster of guys that can create their own shot as well as hit the three. It make for an extremely difficult challenge.