Post-Game Sights and Sounds: MSU Crushes PSU

No. 17 MSU got revenge against the Nittany Lions 86-49; Morgan, Allen and Neitzel talk after

Michigan State really needed this one.

After two crushing road losses last week, virtually knocking them out of the Big Ten title race, the No. 17 Spartans came back home and put together an overall solid game against Penn State.

After leading 39-27 at half, MSU steadily increased their lead in the second half, shooting 58 percent from the field and long-range on their way to an 86-49 blowout of the Nittany Lions.

Steady and balanced was the name of the game for MSU, getting baskets from 12 different players, including walk-on Mike Kebler (two points) and sophomore Isaiah Dahlman (six points on 2-of-3 from three).

Raymar Morgan got back on track, leading MSU with 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Drew Neitzel and Goran Suton each scored 10 points.

It was a game that the Spartans really needed to get back on track, having been blown out at Indiana on Saturday night in front of a hostile Assembly Hall crowd.

Monday, former Spartan legend and member of the 1979 MSU National Championship team, Earvin “Magic” Johnson visited the team and gave them a talk.

The next day, more ex-Spartans were spotted in East Lansing. Mateen Cleaves and Antonio Smith, teammates on the 2000 MSU National Championship team came by to speak to the players.

What the former Spartans said to the players proved to work, as the current Spartan team came out and put together possibly their most complete game of the season.

The strong play will need to continue, even if Tom Izzo needs to fly the ex-Spartans back for the weekend, as he (Izzo) jokingly said after the game.

With only two home game remaining, and a tough game at Wisconsin next week, Izzo and his players hope that this game is a sign of a key turnaround, that will spark them for a strong finish to their season and further on into March.

GSN caught up with several Spartan players after the game to talk about their strong play and what it means looking forward.

Chris Allen: Listen to Audio

Drew Neitzel: Listen to Audio

Raymar Morgan: Listen to Audio