#9 Michigan State Bounces Back vs. Purdue

Published: 21^st Jan 12 1:34 pm

by Jason Kurtyka
jasonkurtyka

RANT It!

Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

Coming off of two straight road losses, Michigan State needed to come out strong at home. In the opening minutes of the game, the Spartans looked out of sync turning the ball over multiple times. But a few defensive stops and 2 Austin Thornton 3′s put Michigan State ahead and they never looked back.

The Spartans finished the first half on a 11-4 run and also went on a 11-0 run in the second half. They didn’t let off the accelerator and won the game 83-58.

Purdue shot only 29% from the field and just 15% from 3. The Boilermakers could never recover from their halftime deficit. Robbie Hummel struggled mightily going 0-11 from the field.

Michigan State was led by Draymond Green with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists combined with Branden Dawson’s 14 points.

Dawson, a freshman, played a really solid game. He went coast to coast for a dunk, had a put back dunk, and threw down an alley-oop. He also played solid defense with 2 blocks.

His performance, in my opinion, was overshadowed but a play late in the game. Guarding Purdue’s Anthony Johnson, Dawson forced a turnover in front of the Purdue bench. While showing his excitement he talked some trash to Purdue coach Matt Painter. Painter was obviously fired up. Sitting 4 rows right behind the exchange, I was embarrassed to see this. No player has any right to talk to a coach like that, especially a freshman. In my opinion, Dawson should be benched for the Spartans next game vs. Minnesota.