How do you stop Zach Edey? It’s the question that Michigan State hasn’t figured out in either game that they’ve played Purdue. The Spartans fell to Purdue 77-61 on Sunday afternoon.

Moreover, it was the 17th double-double of the season for Zach Edey and second most in division one. A new career high for the Junior, his 38 points beat the mark set a couple of weeks ago set against MSU. Edey also added 13 rebounds with 3 assists just for good measure. Whether it was Jaxson Koehler, Carson Cooper, or Mady Sissoko nobody could match up against the 7’4 300 pounder from Toronto, Ontario.

It was anticipated by everyone that Michigan State wouldn’t be able to handle Edey. However, would they be able to keep up offensively? The short answer was no, especially in the first half. A couple of scoring droughts in a row really did the Spartans in and they couldn’t make up the ground.

40-22 was the halftime lead for Purdue over Michigan State. AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins both had 7 points in the half and that was about it.

The second half was a much better performance, but it was too little too late for the Spartans. They did outscore the Boilermakers 39-37 in the half, but it doesn’t matter when you have an 18 point deficit at the halfway mark. Hoggard finished with 20 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds which is a very good stat line. The problem is no one else contributed besides Akins with 12 points. Joey Hauser would finish with 3 points and was a non-factor.

Purdue would finish with 12 offensive rebounds and MSU had 14 turnovers with 8 coming in the first half. The Spartans couldn’t start strong AGAIN and they continue to get bullied in the paint. The boards need to be more even for Michigan State going forward. It seems way too lopsided in games that Michigan State isn’t getting rebounds.

Syndication: Journal-Courier

If you’re Michigan State there’s nothing that you can do, but forget about the loss and move on. MSU goes to Madison Square Garden to take on Rutgers Saturday at noon. That game won’t be much easier with Rutgers looking for revenge. Purdue is definitely the best team in the country and are running away with the Big Ten.

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