For the first time since 2014, Michigan State basketball was able to go into Mackey Arena and get a win over Purdue on Thursday night. Not only that, but the Spartans, ranked No. 13, took down No. 8 Purdue in a major win to shake up the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans and Boilermakers had the exact same record going into this one, and the win will almost certainly catapult MSU back into the top ten in the standings.
After the game, social media was on fire, with MSU fans celebrating the win, and the larger college basketball media landscape taking notice of the Spartans in a huge game towards the end of the season.
You can see some of the best reactions to the win below:
SPARTY LEAVES MACKEY ARENA WITH A DUB 🔥
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 27, 2026
Michigan State's last win at Purdue was in 2014 😳 pic.twitter.com/3BSlLxsiRY
B1G TIME. pic.twitter.com/kZIRsxMPYb
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) February 27, 2026
NO. 13 MICHIGAN STATE TAKES A THRILLER OVER NO. 8 PURDUE 💪
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) February 27, 2026
Sparty wins in Mackey for the first time since 2014 🤯 pic.twitter.com/s4uGVe3ZhU
— No Context College Basketball (@ContextFreeCBB) February 27, 2026
This MSU defense might be the best Izzo has had in a long time.
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) February 27, 2026
They lock tf up.
January
— Dr.Ups McGametime (@DrupsMcgametime) February 27, 2026
February
IZZO pic.twitter.com/gDBatJRLDJ
Michigan State is now a combined 53-12 over the past two seasons after tonight's win at Purdue.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 27, 2026
Tom Izzo has been as outspoken as anybody about the changing landscape in college sports, but he's gotten the Spartans back to the level they were at pre-COVID. https://t.co/ZKFtDit7vw
What a game
— JerBear (@JD_Jerbear) February 27, 2026
Really nice win for Michigan State over Purdue at Mackey.
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) February 27, 2026
This Spartans team is as consistent as anyone in the country and, when they shoot as well from the floor as they did tonight, they're tough to beat.
Another rough home loss for the Boilers, too pic.twitter.com/VsRickURzS
Mackey win ✅ https://t.co/8mo8d7bkHZ
— Sav (@B1Gsad) February 27, 2026
Mackey has been conquered. Massive win for the Spartans.
— Brandon Champion: You Don't Work Hard (@BrandonthaChamp) February 27, 2026
WHAT A BIG ROAD WIN FOR THE MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
— WidmerSportsTlk (@WidsSportsTlk) February 27, 2026
DOWN GOES MACKEY
— Connor Meltdowney (@Connormuldowney) February 27, 2026
LFGGGGGGG!!! MSU exorcises the demons and finds a way to finally win at Mackey despite getting doubled up at the three point line (12 made threes by Purdue) and basically playing even on the glass. Gritty, tough, defensive minded win. HUGE win for the good guys. pic.twitter.com/yKLtykiPR4
— DK (@SpartanHoops_DK) February 27, 2026
OH MY YOU CAN FEEL MARCH CREEPING IN AH HAAAAAAAAA
— Fireball sommelier (@Sheehan_Sports) February 27, 2026
LIVE WITH @CarterElliott__ IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES pic.twitter.com/H4lC31srOq
#MichiganState beats Purdue at Mackey Arena for the first time in 12 years, picking up a big seeding win vs a top-10 team on the road.
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) February 27, 2026
Carson Cooper arguably had the best game of his career on both ends, while going against TKR.
Jeremy Fears with another great second half.
THE DROUGHT IS OVER!
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) February 27, 2026
MICHIGAN STATE SURVIVES
MSU 76
PUR 74
Before this ends: What a damn game. Period.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 27, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Social media reacts to Michigan State basketball beating No. 8 Purdue