The Michigan State Spartans (13) are looking to take a slight edge atop the Big Ten despite inconsistent play and injured players when they take on the Purdue Boilermakers.

Michigan State and Michigan are tied for the Big Ten lead at 10-3 in the conference each. A win would give the Spartans a .5 game lead going into the in-state rivals' matchup against one another Sunday.

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Michigan State won 18 of its first 19 games, including seven in a row to open their Big Ten schedule. The Spartans were seemingly proving coach Tom Izzo right that they were indeed a "special" team. However, the team has gone 3-4 since losing to Michigan Jan. 25.

Thursday night's game will be an opportunity for Michigan State to get back on track before playing four of their final three game against Michigan (20), Iowa (15) and Ohio State (24).

"There are always tough losses in a season. This one was the toughest so far," Izzo told reporters, according to ESPN. "On the other side of it, I'm not upset about the loss because we got exactly what we deserved.

"The only guy that takes the blame for that is me. It's my job to get them ready to play and we didn't look ready to play. For that, don't blame them, blame me."

Despite three strong leading scorers and solid defense, the Spartans look shakier than ever going into play the Boilermakers, who have lost five of their last seven. Purdue will also have a difficult schedule as they close out their season against teams like Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Michigan State cannot afford to finish their season with inconsistent play as they look for a high-seeded bid in the NCAA tournament and a Big Ten title.

"A little controversy might bring us a little closer together, and maybe they'll stop listening to the outside world and listen to the inside world," Izzo said. "There are so many games left, but we did what non-championship teams do. We did not bring it."