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With the football season finished, it’s time to focus on the hardwood as the spotlight now falls on college football and the build up to March Madness.

Two teams that could be a big factor when the tournament comes around are two Big Ten powerhouses: Michigan State and Purdue. Those two teams will get reacquainted on Tuesday in a Top 25 matchup that will take place at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Home court advantage could be key for the Spartans as they are 13-0 on their own court to this year.

Purdue Boilermakers @ Michigan State Spartans

Online Betting Odds: Michigan State -3

The Purdue Boilermakers went through a rough stretch earlier this year and they will be very familiar with what the Michigan State Spartans are currently enduring.

The Spartans have lost two straight games and right now, the top team in the Big Ten is slipping. They started the year 9-0, which is the best start in school history, then they followed it up with two straight losses, which has provided a reality check.

Sparty lost to Wisconsin in blowout fashion and then fell to Illinois as well. Now they are back at home and have some questions to answer.

The Spartans may be without the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Kalin Lucas, who has not coincidentally been injured in the last two games. Lucas sprained his ankle against Wisconsin and then didn’t play against Illinois. Those looking for betting tips should know that the Spartans head coach, Tom Izzo, suggested that Lucas will play on Tuesday, although he may not be 100%.

Meanwhile, Purdue also endured a rough stretch earlier this year but is playing very well right now. The Boilermaker lost three straight in early January but have bounced back with five straight wins. The trio of JaJuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore has been one of the best in the nation and they are always a load to deal with.

But there is a good reason to expect the Spartans to bounce back. First off, the Boilermakers haven’t won in East Lansing since 1998. Secondly, the Boilermakers tend to struggle when they lose the battle of the boards and Michigan State happens to be the best rebounding team in the Big Ten.

Look for the Spartans to bounce back with a big home win on Tuesday.

Bet College Basketball Pick: Michigan State -3

Mark Coleman: Suspended until March 9 and no contact until Feb. 28 (precautionary reasons)
Nate Marquardt: Suspended until March 9 and no contact until Feb. 28 (precautionary reasons)
Chael Sonnen: Suspended until March 24 and no contact until March 9 (forehead and nasal-bridge lacerations)
Mike Swick: Suspended until Aug. 6 (elbow injury) unless cleared early by an orthopedic doctor; otherwise suspended until March 24 and no contact until March 9 (precautionary reasons)
Demian Maia: Suspended until Aug. 6 (eyelid laceration) unless cleared early by an ophthalmologist or ocular-plastics doctor
Dan Miller: Suspended until March 9 and no contact until Feb. 28 (precautionary reasons)
Frank Trigg: Suspended until March 24 with no contact until March 9 (precautionary reasons)
Mac Danzig: Suspended until Aug. 6 (left knee sprain) unless cleared early by an orthopedic doctor
Justin Buchholz: Suspended until March 9 and no contact until Feb. 28 (precautionary reasons)
Melvin Guillard: Suspended indefinitely unless cleared early by an ophthalmologist by March 26
Rolles Gracie: Suspended until March 9 and no contact until Feb. 28 (precautionary reasons)

Just a quick reminder: Fighters often return to action much quicker once doctors give them the green light. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases.

For complete UFC 109 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

The Saints and their fans awoke Monday to the realization that the once lovable losers from New Orleans were Super Bowl champions for the first time in the club's 43-year history after Sunday's 31-17 triumph over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Seattle Mariners say left-hander Cliff Lee is recovering from minor left foot surgery and will be limited when pitchers and catchers report to spring training this month.

After visa issues prevented UFC heavyweight and British fighter Mostapha Al Turk (6-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) from making a fight with Rolles Gracie this past weekend at UFC 109, the promotion has booked him for an international event.

Al Turk is set to face "The Ultimate Fighter 10" contestant John Madsen (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 112, and sources close to the fighters told MMAjunkie.com that bout agreements have been signed.

UFC 112 takes place April 10 at Concert Arena in Abu Dhabi, and it marks the promotion's first trip to the Middle East and a component of a new deal with U.A.E.-based event company Flash Entertainment.

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ne of the Angels' top relief pitchers won't be ready to work from a mound at the start of spring training.

Props: Sportsnet.ca

Quoteworthy:

"We've spoken with Chael on many occasions and have the utmost respect for him. He's never really come across in this manner, and it's obvious he's just drumming up hype in hopes to get a bout with Anderson. We are fine if this is what the UFC wants, but if you look at this logistically, Sonnen should fight Demian Maia first. Demian beat up easily, by submission, so why not make them fight first, to determine who gets a shot at the title? It's funny, but really, who actually listens to what Chael Sonnen has to say? The only time people listen is when he talks about Anderson. Who is he, really? If you walk down the street and you mention his name, does anyone really know who this guy is? Likely not, but if you mention Anderson Silva, people know the name. Chael's also said a few things about Anderson's choice of clothes and that he wears earrings, didn't he? Sounds to us like he may have a crush on Anderson."

Sound familiar? Ed Soares, manager and translator for UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, is once again playing matchmaker, this time on the heels of a supposed 185-pound number one contender bout between Chael Sonnen and Nate Marquardt at UFC 109: "Relentless" this past Saturday night (Feb. 6). UFC President Dana White promised the winner of Sonnen vs. Marquardt the first crack at the division title after "The Spider" defends it at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Now Soares is tampering with the formula -- much like he did after Dan Henderson decapitated Michael Bisping at UFC 100 to earn his rematch (and we all know how that ended up). Does Soares have a legitimate gripe? Or should he zip his lip leave the matchmaking to Joe Silva?

Doc Rivers indicated that the Celtics pulled captain Paul Pierce out of practice Monday afternoon to rest his sprained left mid-foot injury.

The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M*A*S*H" to become the most-watched program in television history.