No. 13 Michigan State boosts resume with rare win at No. 8 Purdue 

Carr was one of four Spartans to score in double-figures, led by senior center Carson Cooper's 15 points (6-of-9 FG). Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. — the nation's leader in assists (9.2) — had 12 points and six assists in the win.

It was not that long ago that Michigan State was in the middle of a rough stretch in conference play following a shocking loss to Minnesota back on Feb. 4. That was its second straight loss and preceded a span of three losses in four games when it was blown out by Wisconsin on Feb. 13.

Now, the Spartans have won three straight as they prepare for their final three games of the regular season, culminating with a rematch against No. 3 Michigan on March 8. They were a four-seed in Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology for ESPN, but with five ranked wins to their credit, it is not hard to see them moving up at least another seed line as March approaches.

A loss to Purdue, especially at Mackey Arena where it had not won since 2014, would not have done much damage at all if Michigan State lost in competitive fashion. After all, Purdue was projected to be a two-seed, so it would have just been another missed opportunity to boost its resume.

The Spartans had other plans, putting their recent struggles on the road against Purdue behind them. A lot of their success goes through Fears, but if they play at the level they did on Thursday night, the Spartans have a high ceiling the rest of the way.