Michigan State may have absolutely slaughtered Purdue 83-58 yesterday, but the battle between the two traditional Big Ten powers still had some embarrassing, and down-right dark moments in the lop-sided win.
Spartans leader (in scoring, rebounding and emotion) Draymond Green accidentally stuffed the ball home for Purdue (watch video after the jump). But much worse, the Izzone, the MSU student cheering section went really low and class-less in heckling Boilermakers star Robbie Hummel.
Quick refresher on Hummel: his junior year, he tore his right ACL, costing the Boilermakers a #1 seed in the NCAA Tourney and derailing (pun intended) the what looked like a potential train to the Final Four. When he finally recovered to make it to his senior year, he re-tore it in his very first practice after midnight madness. After another long journey of convalescence, Hummel finally returned to the court this year.
For all that he has had to endure, and for all the moxie Robbie has shown, he has to be considered one of the most respected and likable players in all of college basketball.
That said, here’s a clip from Rant Sports, which summarizes the disgusting classlessness of a few MSU fans, and shows that the cadre of neanderthal fans do not represent Spartan Nation.
I was sitting about 6 rows back from the Purdue bench when a fan to my left yelled out, “Hummel don’t tear your ACL.” I was completely stunned when I heard this.
More stunned was Purdue coach Matt Painter who turned around and yelled at the students saying “That’s pushing it.” And he continued to try and make the students stop these comments.
Witnessing all this, I was completely embarrassed and furious at the kids around me who were all laughing and jeering Painter.
This is not how a student section should behave, especially one of Michigan State’s stature. All students should respect their opponents, our’s failed. Personal attacks like that are ridiculous and a complete disregard of sportsmanship.
As a student of Michigan State and a member of the Izzone, I would like to apologize to Robbie Hummel, Matt Painter, and Tom Izzo. As a College Basketball fan I have the utmost respect for Robbie Hummel and his accomplishments. I hope that fans everywhere realize and respect the accomplishments of all students athletes and represent their universities to the fullest.
And here’s the Draymond link from Lost Lettermen:
Check out the video below in which Green clearly jams the ball into his own hoop. We’ve seen players inadvertently score on their own baskets before but this is the first time we can recall someone dunking on their own hoop.
We’re not sure if Green forgot he was on defense or what other explanation he has, but expect the next film session with Tom Izzo to be unpleasant.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
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