MSU/Purdue...the Showdown begins at 7 p.m.

You can smack talk here, I know there will be some Sparty fans from my old neck o'tha woods around here tonight. (I'm a Yooper, and yes, I went to the same school Izzo played bball at, so I am conflicted a bit)

I'll be on here around 6:30 from the court to give my views. Boilers are 2.5 point favs at home tonight...interesting.

Here are some keys:

• Who will win the rebounding battle?
• Can JJ be effective against the big guys MSU has. Suton/Gray are big dudes.
• Will this be a low scoring affair since two of the premier D men (CK and Travis Walton) are going to be shutting down some key players.
• Can Robbie find his touch?
• Will the Boilers be able to go 8 or 9 deep (meaning can Calasan, Green and Riddell step in for a time or two)
• Will the Paint Crew be able to keep the Mackey rockin' and keep the team up, even if they start slow? It didn't happen against Duke.

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*&^%^&%$#@# INTERNET

The server died on press row. We are live now, sorry about that.

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OK, the Boilers are looking good, I have them even in rebounding, which is a MSU strong suit.
The Spartans have been sloppy with the ball, but Purdue has been equally bad with the handle some times. The Hummel threes were electrifying, yet Bobby Riddell got a bigger responce overall.

Getting pics up in minute...be back with more

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Today has been hectic, on and off the court. Thanks for hanging with us...get ready for the start of the half
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HUGE steal by Kramer to start the half. This place is loud, but it will get louder with each possitive possesion for the Boilers and negative ones for MSU
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Smooge with all the time in the world...Purdue builds biggest lead, now up 10. This was a 2.5 fav, but they are on fire. Izzo calls time just 97 seconds in...roh oh Raggy...
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Erin Andrews must paint her pants on. Damn!!!!
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Delvon Roe quiets the Paint Crew for a moment, but JJ comes back. The tempo is picking up, State's going to try to wear out the Boilers with their speed.
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Keys for second half:
• Get Walton in foul trouble, PU doesn't need him around to torment them...this game will go the distance. Hummel just added a steal and E'T gave them the biggest lead of the game (39-28).
• Keep letting the Spartans shoot. It's not pretty. You can tell when it leaves thier hand it's going to be off. Just a bad shooting night for Sparty.

Hummel has been a beast, mostly just as a presence. His first two shots really made the spartans think twice of leaving him open. He is a huge factor in this game right now.
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Marcus Green, a steal, a miss, a steal a make...that's called being productive off the bench!
To continue on Marcus. He has SHOWN UP!!! This place is nuts...at least I don't have a headache...hmmm, my normal female fan isn't behind me screaming...could be why.
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Big Ten refs...catch the excitement. It's life a good episode of LOST...You never know what's going to happen!!!
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I had written Keaton Grant off after he started in a slump, broke out briefly and slipped back in. He's hitting some shots finally...but I won't say he is out of his clump yet.
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MSU fighting to stay within 10. Right now the Boilers need to make a stand for the next three minutes, hold to 10 and makes sure that they demoralize Sparty. Of course, MSU is doing a good job on their own.
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JJ with the block...don't call it a jump ball. He stuffed Suton! Hummell is just millimeters off his shot, which means he's close to well. I will be interetsed to see how he feels tomorrow
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7:28 - 59-45 Purdue: Kramer gets away with a kick...purdue will have the ball, this is balls to the walls time for the Green and White...they need a stop to get back in this. Looks for for Boiler Nation right now.
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Purdue hits 60 points. I never thought that would happen in a game like this. Key stat: Purdue has never won when they give up 64+, looks like a good sign for them in this game as well
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Moore twists his knee with 6:47 left. Left knee, Grant comes in for him. still a 14 pt lead for the Boilers...they need to slow down...NEVER MIND! JJ with a JAM and a half!
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MSU with its 20th turnover, Kramer is pumped...the game is over. Let's stay healthy now kids..get ready to pound IU.
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I'm not sure on putting Hummel back in, maybe if it was a 6-8 pts lead...Kramer is proving he STILL is the best defensive player in the Big Ten.
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Game, set, match. The subs are in...Purdue will win. Thanks for joining us...