Big Ten Network

JN: Here’s a wealth of information for ya: The Spartans are 13-0 at home this season and haven’t lost at Breslin Center in 17 games. They are 43-7 against Northwestern at home in the series history, and MSU has won 10 in a row. Get real, Wildcats. Send it in, Jerome!

MSU 78, Northwestern 58

SE: I may not be able to predict how this game will go — as the Spartans have been a mystery game in and game out — but I do know one thing for sure: The refs will be going nuts with their whistles. I can see every little thing being called a foul, but the Spartans will overcome it, mainly because it’s in their home gym. If MSU contains Kevin Coble and Craig Moore, the game belongs to the Green and White.

MSU 74, Northwestern 61

AG: The Spartans are going to take this one, no doubt in my mind. The men’s team at Northwestern is just as bad as their female counterparts — both have a goose egg sitting in the Big Ten win column. Not only can MSU beat the Wildcats with their eyes closed, but they will be out to prove something after an unforeseen loss to Penn State. Look for the blowout.

MSU 89, Northwestern 60

KJ: Drew Neitzel and company walked all over Northwestern in the first season meeting back in January. Expect déja vu Saturday. Despite a disappointing loss to Penn State, the Spartans will be geared up for this game. The Wildcats have yet to win in the Big Ten, and a loss to them would just be embarrassing.

MSU 78, Northwestern 61

MSU women vs. Purdue

7 p.m. Monday

Big Ten Network

JN: It really pains me to do this, but I just have to stick to reality. Until the Spartans can string together a couple of wins, they don’t really stand much of a chance against this Purdue team competing for the Big Ten title.

Purdue 68, MSU 59

SE: I seriously hate doing this. Every week, I have to sit here and pick the other team for the women’s section. But it’s hard not to when they continue to disappoint. I’m a fan — I really am. But if I’m a bettin’ man, which I am, I have to go with the Boilermakers. However, if I hear “Boiler up!” at any point, I might flip.

Purdue 71, MSU 65

AG: This is a tough call. Through Wednesday, Purdue is in a three-way tie for the conference lead while MSU sits in seventh. However, this Big Ten race is so jacked up anything could happen. I’m done saying Kalisha Keane will stay out of foul trouble, because it hardly ever happens, but I will say Brittney Thomas shows up for a career game. My confidence in the women is back, and I think they will pull this win off in true 2008 Spartans style — a last-minute win from behind.

MSU 65, Purdue 63

KJ: Purdue sits in an impressive tie for tops in the Big Ten heading into Thursday’s showdown with Ohio State. Purdue’s Lakisha Freeman and Keshia Mosely are scoring machines that the Spartans will not be able to stop. Sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan will have to be completely focused in the paint to stop this train.

Purdue 68, MSU 54

No. 6 MSU hockey vs. Northern Michigan

7:35 p.m. Friday/Saturday

WJIM (1240-AM)

JN: Enough with this splitting series business. Let’s get a sweep already. The Spartans have already taken two in a weekend from Northern Michigan, but MSU doesn’t have any momentum and they have to travel to the Wildcats’ stomping grounds.

MSU 3-1, Northern Michigan 3-2

SE: Do not, under any circumstance, take Northern Michigan lightly. I think MSU might, which could result in a first-game skid. Even if they don’t, the Wildcats have to be excited for the No. 6 team in the nation to travel to their ice pond. They’ll be amped and ready to go. Then the Spartans will get it together and whomp on them Saturday night.

MSU 4-0, Northern Michigan 3-1

AG: MSU already swept the Wildcats earlier this season, and while I think they are capable of doing it again, they won’t. Bank on game one resulting in a victory, while the Wildcats are successful in their quest for revenge in game two.

MSU 3-2, Northern Michigan 4-3

KJ: Although the No. 6 Spartans shut down the Wildcats, sweeping them in two games early in the season, don’t expect this weekend series to be a cake walk. Any team that can head to Yost Ice Arena and tie the No. 2 Wolverines twice in one weekend makes Northern Michigan a team to reckon with. The defending national champion Spartans will split this series. However, heading back to MSU head coach Rick Comley’s old school will be fun for the coach, who spent 26 years behind the Wildcats’ bench.

MSU 3-1, Northern Michigan 3-2