Maybe there is some carry over from the Boilermakers' loss to Iowa after all. Maybe also, after just doing enough yesterday the Spartans realized that a win today would move them firmly off of the bubble and into an at large bid. Or, maybe Kalin Lucas just doesn't want to lose.
The MSU senior point guard took the game over in the first half, scoring 18 points on 10 shots, including going 4-4 from three point range. From deep and in the lane, Purdue did not seem to have an answer for the former Big Ten Player of the Year.
For Purdue, it was simply a question of not being able to make their shots. Going 9-26 from the half, and just 1-10 from deep Purdue fell behind early and lost ground for most of the half. It hasn't been for lack of touches by All Big Ten seniors JaJuan Johnson and Etwaun Moore, the pair have fifteen shots between the two of them, but they have only been able to total 14 points. The rest of the Boilers aren't fairing much better going a combined 2-11.
The Boilers are going need to get themselves in gear in the second half, or they can probably forget about any chances at nabbing a two seed in the NCAA tournament.