Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State's Raymar Morgan Made Senior Day His Day

A second consecutive Big Ten title.

A 16-point trouncing of Michigan in front of the Izzone (64-48, but it wasn't even that close).

Tom Izzo's outpouring of emotion as he hugged his four-year guys when they came back to the bench, thanking them for their services for a final time. 

Watching MSU seniors kneel down and kiss the block "S" at center court.

And Raymar Morgan playing his heart out in his last home game as a Spartan.

Senior Day 2010 couldn't have turned out any better if it was scripted.

Legacy (n): something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past (the legacy of the ancient philosophers).

In regards to sports, a legacy is simply defined as how one is remembered—and Michigan State's senior Raymar Morgan will undoubtedly remember his Senior Day for the rest of his life—and Spartan fans will remember him for generations to come.

The "Captain" finished with a game and season-high 22 points, and nearly outscored the Wolverines in the first half himself. Michigan mustered only 14 points in the first 20 minutes, Morgan rampaged his way for 13.

His previous season-high was 20 points Jan. 26 against, you guessed it—the Michigan Wolverines (57-56 victory).

He even spread the love to fellow senior Isaiah Dahlman on a second half alley-oop hookup that electrified the Bres'—what a fitting way for the two seniors to throw down together.

There wasn't going to be anything or anyone holding Morgan back in his last time in front of the Izzone. He was physically dominating on the glass with 10 boards, and the look in his eyes and on his face said it all—he wasn't going to lose.

Not on Senior Day, and not to Michigan.

A four-year starter, Morgan has been a fan favorite since day one. At every home game you would see the student section hoisting creative signs that praised him. Being dubbed "The Captain" was the work of the Izzone (after Captain Morgan rum), and the chants of "RAY-MAR MOR-GAN" echoed the Breslin Center every time he got the place rocking, which are too many to count. 

Morgan is a member of the elite "1,500 point/700 rebound" club at MSU. Only Paul Davis, Jay Vincent, Morris Peterson, and Steve Smith have preceded him in membership—impressive company.

But wait, there's more.

Morgan is one of just a handful of Spartans to go 5-1 against their bitter in-state rival Michigan. The "Captain's" only loss to the Wolverines came as a freshman on Feb. 27, 2007, 67-56 at Crisler Arena.

Big Ten titles and Final Fours are memories to cherish, but to know that you owned that school 63 miles down the road for four years is priceless.

Perhaps winning a National Championship will seal his legacy as one of the greatest Spartans ever.

He came awfully close to cutting down the nets last year in State's impressive run to the Final Four, but fell short to the North Carolina Tarheels. 

Knowing that he looked his dream in the face and didn't seize the moment—well, that's something that would kill most men inside. He has one more shot to live that dream, and he's going to have to be a catalyst for Sparty if it is to come true.

Speaking of a catalyst for a title run—has there been a new Raymar Morgan who has come to the surface in Michigan State's last few games?

The numbers would suggest so: approximately 12 points and 10 rebounds per game in his last four contests.

Perhaps the "Captain" was saving the best for last?

One thing is certain: If Morgan continues to play like he has over the last couple of weeks, Michigan State will be a tough out come tournament time.

Here's a look at Morgan's season numbers (just in case you were interested).

Here are his numbers against Michigan.

March 7, 2010: 22 points, 10 rebounds (W, 64-48)
Jan. 26, 2010: 20 points, eight rebounds (W, 57-56)
Feb. 10, 2009: Did Not Play (W, 54-42)
Jan. 27, 2008: 13 points, five rebounds (W, 77-62)
Feb. 13, 2007: 18 points, six rebounds (W, 59-44)
Feb. 27, 2007: 13 points, seven rebounds (L, 67-56)

Career average: 17 points per game, seven rebounds.

Wolverine-killer (5-1) all-time.

(Thanks to ESPN for making this information public).