Big Ten Tuesday Preview And Open Thread: Can The Purdue Boilermakers Bounce Back?

After a pretty exciting past weekend of Big Ten college hoops, some teams are looking to bounce back or pick up where they left off in the next slate of Big Ten games. In tonight's games, No. 1 ranked Michigan State, No. 9 ranked Purdue, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio State, and Penn State will all be in action. These are some of the best teams in the Big Ten and their talent will be on full display tonight. Below are previews for each contest.

Game of the Night: Vanderbilt vs. No. 14 Purdue Boilermakers (8:00 PM ET| BTN)

The Boilermakers were one of the hottest teams in the country until they were handed their first loss to the Butler Bulldogs recently. It was a really good game and the Boilermakers' talented frontcourt came to play, including freshmen Caleb Swanigan, who put up 25 points, 11 rebounds, and he knocked down three shots from deep.

Although the Boilermakers lost to Butler, the team is still looking like a very tough team to beat, and one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Vanderbilt is not going to be an easy win for Purdue, but they are playing at home, and the team is going to want to rebound next game before conference play starts up.

The Rest:

- No. 1 Michigan State Spartan vs. Oakland (7:00 PM ET| ESPNU)

So you guys might know that the Spartans are undefeated and the top ranked team in college basketball. They have won every big game so far this season, but now many teams are going to try to give the Spartans their first loss because they are the top team in the land. Oakland is a mid-major team, but the game is being played in Michigan so this should be another win for the Spartans.

The Spartans should walkover Oakland, and start Big Ten play undefeated, even without Denzel Valentine.

- Kennesaw State vs. Indiana Hoosiers (6:00 PM ET| BTN)

The Hoosiers are coming off their best win of the season over Notre Dame. They have been a little disappointing this year, but that win over Notre Dame might be the win that gets the Hoosiers back on track. Troy Williams really came to play, and the Hoosiers shot 50 percent from deep, which is encouraging for the team down the road.

The Hoosiers should have no problem with a much weaker Kennesaw State, and they should be able to win. With hopefully two wins in a row, the Hoosiers can take some momentum into Big Ten play.

- Prairie View A&M vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers (8:00 PM ET| BTN Plus)

Not much to say here other than that Nebraska should be heading into Big Ten play with some momentum because Prairie View A&M has zero wins this season, and the Cornhuskers only have two losses at home. Their most recent game against Samford at home was a train-wreck loss for the Cornhuskers; hopefully that game will be a wake up call.

Nebraska should not lose this game and it should not be close.

- Tennessee Tech vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (8:30 PM ET| ESPN3)

The Hawkeyes have gotten back on track after their heartbreaking loss to Iowa State. The Hawkeyes have not lost at home this season and Jarrod Uthoff is playing like one of the best players in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes should dismantle Tennessee Tech with ease before conference play starts up.

- Mercer vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (9:00 PM ET| ESPNU)

The Buckeyes are coming off a season-saving victory over Kentucky. That was by far their biggest win of the year and that win should get the Buckeyes back on track after a bumpy start. Mercer will not be a walkover for Ohio State, but after the Buckeyes beat Kentucky, they should take some of that momentum into their next game.

The Buckeyes shot 50 percent form deep in their game against Kentucky, and if they can keep shooting well from deep then they will be a hard team to beat down the road.

- Colorado vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (10:30 PM ET)

This game between the Penn State and Colorado is a part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. Colorado only has one loss on the season, and this is a pretty big game for Penn State. The Nittany Lions can use this game gain some confidence as a young team.

Hopefully the Nittany Lions will come to play for this tournament in Las Vegas.