INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue basketball made it past the first one.

After the Boilermakers beat USC in Thursday’s second round of the Big Ten Tournament, they get a 9 p.m. rubber match with Michigan.

Purdue (22-10) and Michigan split a pair of regular season matchups, each winning at home.

In the most recent meeting, a Braden Smith 3 at the buzzer was off the mark, preserving Michigan’s 75-73 win on Feb. 11, avenging Purdue’s 91-64 win at Mackey Arena on Jan. 24.

The winner advances to Saturday’s semifinal against either Illinois or Maryland.

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Scouting Purdue basketball’s Big Ten Tournament opponent Michigan

Vlad Goldin earned first-team All-Big Ten after leading the Wolverines with 16.7 points per game.

Packaged with Danny Wolf (12.9 points, 9.7 rebounds), Michigan has the conference’s most formidable frontcourt.

At 22-9, first-year coach Dusty May’s team has been one of the Big Ten’s most surprising turnarounds.

The Wolverines can cement that with a second win over the Boilermakers, which would end a three-game losing skid to end the regular season.

Prediction: Purdue basketball 85, Michigan 77

Despite the conference tournament seeds, Purdue is the better team here.

Michigan has had a fantastic season and won eight Big Ten games by four points or fewer to put together a quality NCAA Tournament resume.

Purdue needs this win and, with presumably a home court advantage, the Boilermakers will get it.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.