Spartans Lose to the Boilers 86-76, but Izzo Declares: “We Are Getting Better!”

   West Lafayette, Indiana  Mackey Arena was loud tonight. It had the emotion of a Final Four game and the crowd was truly the sixth man as the

 

 

 

West Lafayette, Indiana

 

Mackey Arena was loud tonight. It had the emotion of a Final Four game and the crowd was truly the sixth man as the Boilermakers beat an improving, but still limping Spartan team.

 

Izzo didn’t have a lot to say after the game, but he expressed his frustration when he boldly stated, “We are not a program that should be growing, but we are…That was a war…That was the most physical game of the year.”

 

The Spartans for the second straight game and second straight loss let the opponent shoot the lights out. Purdue shot 58% for the contest. Izzo referenced when his team started letting Purdue pull away in the first half by saying, “We quit playing defense and Durrell didn’t’ guard anybody.”

 

Kalin Lucas struggled going only three of 16 from the field. Lewis Jackson had an amazing game for the Boilers and said of closing Kalin down, “Once you take off the head of the monster they panic.” JaJuan Johnson said of the raucous and exceptional crowd, “It had to be frustrating for the opposing team.” He was right.

 

Purdue coach Matt Painter commented about the crowd by saying, “Backhanded compliment to MSU. We have a lot of respect for them. They always get better at the end of the year. Michigan State gets everybody’s best shot.”

If there was an MVP for the limping Spartans in this game it would have to be shared by Delvon Roe and Draymond Green. Roe played amazing basketball scoring 16 points and garnering four boards and three steals. With bad knees that are being drained for fluid regularly this Spartan warrior played defense that clearly has him set apart as the mid season Big Ten defender of the year according to Izzo.

 

Green had 21 points and 11 boards. He also had six assists. Izzo said of his two stars, “Green and Roe played phenomenal inside and out.”

 

The Spartans have five days to get their house in order. A much-improved Michigan Wolverine team comes to the Breslin on January 27, 2011, for a 7 P.M. game. A loss to their archrival could send this season of disappointment into a tailspin that could put Izzo’s consecutive trips to the dance streak in jeopardy.

 

The Spartans are now 12-7 (4-3) on the year, not where they expected to be. Izzo referenced looking at the schedule prior to the season and counting wins and losses and saying that his team is only “Down one” from where he thought they would. He mentioned the Penn State loss as the one.

 

In Matt Painter’s post game press conference I asked him if prior to the public announcement that Tom Izzo would be suspended for one game, if he had discussed the violation with anyone who was not an employee of Purdue. He said, “I don’t know what he got suspended for.” I plan on asking him more about this at a later date.