Never question Tom Izzo and Michigan State. Although his Spartan’s had a rocky regular season, going just 18-19 and .500 (9-9) in the conference play, Coach Izzo always has his team prepared and focused come postseason.
Purdue got flat out embarrassed in their first and only game of the Big Ten Tournament falling to 7th-seed Michigan State 74-56.
Kalin Lucas scored a career-high with 30 points including 4 of 6 from long range and 10 for 11 at the charity stripe. He led the charge in the first half that send the Spartans into the locker room with 37-23 lead.
The Spartans led by as many as 21 but halfway through the second half, Purdue finally played with some heart and edged their way back…at least temporarily. It was all Spartans the last five minutes.
Somehow referee Earl Walton officiated the Purdue-Michigan State game despite withdrawing from the BigEast tournament after this controversial no-call at the end of St. John’s and Rutgers. Walton was the third man on tonight’s crew along with Ted Valentine and Gene Steratore. Coach Matt Painter earned himself a technical in the first half after giving Steratore a mouthful.
The Boilers didn’t look themselves this evening. And Coach Painter spent more time complaining to the referees than making in-game adjustments. I was surprised how flat and out of it Purdue appeared. Again, these games are all about want to and playing ferociously.
Good news for Purdue that senior leader JaJuan Johnson was okay after coming up hobbling on his ankle. He finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds in 38 minutes of action. Without JaJuan in addition to Robbie Hummel, the gold and black’s tournament appearance would be shortened. And may be anyway.
In addition to Friday’s loss, that’s now two in row for the Boilers who were at one time being considered for a number one seed. Two poor losses may have dropped them to a four seed. Purdue has lost all the momentum they once had and will head into the NCAA Tournament with a lack of confidence and some anger. Maybe they’ll channel that anger into something positive, and something to build on. There’s no question this is a talented group but they sure haven’t looked like a top-20 team and no longer are intimidating.
Michigan and Michigan State combine to go 3-0 thus far in the tournament. Indiana and Purdue one-and-done, 0-2 in their backyard.
This loss isn’t good for the tournament. Indiana, Purdue and Illinois have all lost hurting attendance. Now it’s up to Ohio State and Michigan State to show up in big numbers. The final session on Friday was a announced as a sellout, 18,381. The Spartans advance to play the winner of Wisconsin/Penn State.