Banner Year for the Spartans

 

The senior class was being honored at the Breslin Center, yet it was sophomore Kalin Lucas that once again stole the show for the Spartans. Lucas had a game high 21 points, while also dishing 4 assists and nabbing 5 boards. The seniors, however, also made large contributions with Goran Suton scoring a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards before fouling out, and Travis Walton played tough defense against the Boilermakers as always- he was only credited with 3 steals, but he helped hold Purdue’s Robbie Hummel to 8 points on 3 of 12 shooting.

 

Idong Ibok and Marquise Gray played in limited spurts, but Gray made his presence felt in the second half with a wonderful save, as the ball was going out of bounds, to Lucas who drained a three ball.

 

The Spartans (25-5, 15-3) found themselves in a dog fight early, and trotted into the locker room down 2 at the half. However, they were able to score 9 straight points to start the second half and found themselves up by as many as 12 points. Purdue made a run late to cut the score to within 6, but open looks, and foul shots helped the Spartans hang on to cap off senior day with a victory.

 

Izzo and his team celebrated senior day in a new fashion this year, allowing each senior to make some departing words. The common theme amongst those words was family- and each player talked about how Izzo and the team had become his family throughout his time at Michigan State, and after thanking all of the fans, Izzo and that family was able to hang another championship banner in the Breslin, cut down another net in victory, and party with the student section like it was 1999.

 

The Spartans will now play their next game Friday in Indianapolis against either Minnesota or Northwestern, and after tonight, they certainly look like a team capable of running the table before heading into the NCAA Tourney. Tonight, during his speech, Marquise Gray reminded the crowd that this team wasn’t done yet, and we can only hope he was right.