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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from ugly loss at Purdue

By Connor Muldowney

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 12: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 12: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 12, 2020 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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A seemingly growing trend, Michigan State basketball dropped a road game against Purdue. Just like last year, the Spartans got down big early.

Yuck. Nothing — and I mean absolutely nothing — could go right for Michigan State on Sunday afternoon as it traveled to Mackey Arena for a true Big Ten road battle. The Spartans didn’t come to play and Purdue pounced, beating Michigan State 71-42.

You could tell from the get-go that it was going to be a long day. Nothing was falling for Michigan State as they fell behind 19-4 in the first few minutes and Purdue was making threes left and right.

On the defensive end, the Spartans started to get more stops, but the Boilermakers would get second and third chances on their own misses. Heck, even a missed pair of free throws turned into an offensive rebound and points for the Boilermakers.

Michigan State dropped its first game of the season at Purdue and will have to pick up the pieces to not allow this to turn into a streak.

3. Rocket Watts showed promise

We may as well start with the only positive from this game as Rocket Watts showed some promise off the bench after a rough game against Minnesota. He looked for his shot and wasn’t afraid to drive to the hoop, making 4-of-6 shots from the floor.

While he did have a couple of turnovers and a silly foul late in the game, he finished with 10 points, two rebounds and a steal.

Michigan State couldn’t get much production from the bench on Sunday and that’s when Watts stepped up. Heck, the Spartans didn’t get much production from anywhere and Watts was one of two players to score in double figures for the green and white.

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