Hungry pack chasing MSU's heels

EAST LANSING - Can Michigan State beat Purdue without Kalin Lucas? How about with a half-speed Lucas?

Who will guard JaJuan Johnson? Who will guard Robbie Hummel? How will MSU handle the Boilermakers' pressure defense? Can MSU exploit Purdue on the interior?

These are some of the questions facing the No. 10 Spartans as they prepare to host the No. 6 Boilermakers tonight in a game that will have a lasting impact on the Big Ten race. For MSU sophomore co-captain Draymond Green, there's really just one question, and it's of desire.

"It's not gonna be about X's and O's at all," Green said. "It's just gonna be a dogfight."

Lucas (ankle sprain) is a question mark. So, suddenly, is MSU's plan to repeat as Big Ten champions.

The Spartans have lost two straight games for the first time in two years - and a three-game lead just one week ago will be gone if the Boilermakers (19-3 overall, 7-3 Big Ten) beat MSU (19-5, 9-2) in Breslin for the first time since 1998.

Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio State are all a game back of MSU at 8-3, with the Illini playing at Wisconsin tonight.

So while Tom Izzo hesitated Monday to put the "must-have" tag on this game, it's about as close as you can get in early February. MSU still has to travel to Purdue at the end of the month, right after a home meeting with Ohio State.

"We are gonna put an emphasis on this game that it's a must-win game for us," said Green, who is coming off a 17-point, 16-rebound effort in Saturday's 78-73 loss at Illinois that Izzo called "one of the greatest single-game performances in a lot of years by any player we've had, as far as all aspects of the game."

"I hope he does look at it that way," Izzo said of Green, "but more importantly I'm not worried about him looking at it that way, I'm worried about other guys looking at it that way."

Izzo called Monday for more urgency from Durrell Summers and Raymar Morgan. He called for the same from MSU's fans, saying of the crowds at Breslin: "I do think there's been some complacency in the last couple years."

He was providing motivational material in abundance, knowing the Spartans will need every edge available to get past Purdue - especially with Lucas unlikely to be at full go if he goes at all.

Purdue has an athletic interior presence in Johnson, an all-world forward in Hummel, a top scorer in guard E'Twaun Moore and one of the league's best defenders in guard Chris Kramer.

The Boilermakers lost three straight early in Big Ten play - at Wisconsin, home vs. Ohio State, at Northwestern - but have recovered and are surging again.

Purdue coach Matt Painter said Monday that MSU has "great players," a "hall-of-fame coach" and "one of the best environments in college basketball."

But Painter's team will be in better position to win the Big Ten than Izzo's team if the Boilermakers can pull this off.

Costly turnovers and defensive lapses cost the Spartans what would have been a huge win at Illinois. MSU battled back from several deficits and nearly stole a victory, showing impressive resolve.

Still, Green said afterward: "A lot of people would say we played hard, but we didn't play Michigan State hard."

"Michigan State hard" seems to be the focus tonight, above anything Izzo draws up on the chalkboard.

"I still think we can play harder," Green said Monday. "And we're gonna play harder."