Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State's Raymar Morgan Claims Redemption

No. 14 ranked Michigan State went on the road Sunday and knocked off the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers (12-4, 24-4) 56-44 in a sloppy, turnover laden game at Mackey Arena—snapping the Boilers' 10-game win streak. 

The Spartans (22-7, 12-4) established dominance in the paint early, with 6'8" freshman Derrick Nix setting the tempo for Michigan State's inside presence.

Between the droves of turnovers and fouls, Tom Izzo's clan found a way to bounce back and keep themselves in the mix for a Big Ten title.

Izzo needed production from every player possible, but the story of the contest was Raymar Morgan's season-defining, perhaps legacy cementing double-double.

Morgan had a performance that he and Izzo could only dream of, and carried the Spartans to a much needed confidence boosting road "W."

Morgan was a menace on the boards, he raked in 11 rebounds (five offensive), scored a game-high 16 points, and hit his crucial "gimmes" at the foul line in the remaining minute and a half of the knock-down-drag-out duel with Matt Painter's Boilers. 

In his last "big" regular season game as a Spartan, "Captain" Morgan showed up in West Lafayette wearing his game-face.

The 6'8" senior has had a year that has been riddled with inconsistencies and questions about his heart and work ethic; Morgan put those doubts to rest Sunday.

Draymond Green scored 12 points, and finally showcased his physicality that went missing against Ohio State. Green pulled down 11 rebounds, and effectively shut down the Paint Crew's attempt an at inside attack.

Chris Allen's defense on Big Ten player of the Year hopeful, E'Twaun Moore, proved to be one of Sparty's difference-makers. Allen, accompanied with Kalin Lucas and Korie Lucious, carried the majority of the "checking up" duties on Moore. Moore scored 12 points, but more importantly shot a meager 3-of-13 from the field. "3-Twaun" scorched the Spartans for 25 points Feb. 9 in Purdue's 76-64 Sparty-romping—he couldn't buy a bucket Sunday.

The Purdue guard wasn't the only Boiler that had shooting woes; 6'10" center JaJuan Johnson converted on just 4-of-14 from the field and scored just 11 points. Painter's big-man clipped Michigan State for 19 points in his last go-around with the green and white Feb. 9.

It's not often that a regular season game can define a campaign; but Sunday's win did just that for the Izzo clan.

State was hindered by an earlier three-game slide, Lucas' ankle injury, and had to defend its No. 2 preseason ranking to its critics.

Regaining confidence and gumption is a big to do in sports. With just two games left on its menu, Michigan State can now enjoy a well-earned road win and focus on winning at least a share of the Big Ten conference championship.

Sparty has a date with the league's bottom dwelling Penn State Nittany Lions on March 4, and will finish up its regular season with in-state rival Michigan on March 7.

Game notes:

Michigan State has won three of its last four, and Purdue coach Matt Painter is now 4-5 against Tom Izzo.