Raymar Morgan's Big Finale

INDIANAPOLIS -- If Michigan State forward Draymond Green didn't know any better, he might swear someone else has slid into the No. 2 jersey of senior forward Raymar Morgan these last few weeks.

Morgan, considered somewhat of a disappointment because he has never quite lived up to the hype he arrived at Michigan State with in the fall of 2006, has been a major catalyst for the Spartans as they make their second straight Final Four appearance and he makes one final push to salvage a career that began with so much promise.

"We've seen a big difference in him," Green said Friday. "Once you see those days fading away, it changes you. You know that any game can be your last and you want that last game to be the one where you are still standing."

Morgan has at least one opportunity left in a Spartans jersey and perhaps two if his team can get past Butler during Saturday night's NCAA tournament national semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium. The chance to end his career winning the school's third national championship and first since 2000 is what's driving Morgan.

"It would make up for everything, all the ups and all the downs and all the hard work we put in over four years," Morgan said. "It makes up for everything."

Mostly it might add some oomph to a career that has been solid but hasn't quite lived up to the rep Morgan came to Michigan State with as the 2006 Division I Player of the Year in Ohio, and as the 33rd best high school player as ranked by Rivals.com, coming out of Canton McKinley High School.

It's hard to consider the 6-foot-8 forward a disappointment when he's among elite Michigan State company after scoring 1,593 points and grabbing 767 rebounds so far in his career. It's even harder when you consider the success of the Spartans during his time on campus: Back-to-back Big Ten championships, four Sweet 16 appearances and now consecutive Final Fours.

Morgan's problem seems to be an image issue. Most never thought he'd remain all four years, considering only nine players ranked ahead of him in 2006 remain in college, and class leader Kevin Durant is tearing it up in the NBA.

Michigan State associate head coach Mark Montgomery admits he didn't see Morgan as a four-year guy, but would argue against anyone framing the Spartans' lone senior in the starting lineup as a disappointment because he's still around.

"When he came in, just with his body type and his background, I thought he would be a guy who would leave early just on potential and just how good that program is," Montgomery said. "That helps sometimes get another kid over the hump.

"Remember, he wasn't a McDonald's kid. He was a very good high school player who was highly sought after by a lot of schools."

Morgan offered a shrug of the shoulders Friday as he considered his career and perhaps why it could be considered a disappointment to this point. His versatility has allowed Tom Izzo and his staff to plug him in every position from shooting guard to the post and that has perhaps been to the detriment of more staggering numbers.
"He's cherishing the moment. Sometimes it's late and it catches some a little later. But he's been there. He's played in four Sweet 16s, two Final Fours. What more can a kid do?"
- MSU Associate Head Coach Mark Montgomery
Then there have been the injuries, especially last season when he battled injuries and sickness before having to make the Final Four run with a broken nose.

"I feel I've had a pretty good career," said Morgan, who is averaging 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Spartans. "I went through a lot of injuries but overall I think it was a fairly decent career."

It's a career he would like to see go on as long as possible and his recent play is helping extend it. Morgan is averaging 14.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in Michigan State's last 10 games, while recording three double-doubles and barely missing the mark in two others during this stretch.

He also knocked down the free throw that broke the 69-69 tie inside the final two seconds of last week's NCAA tournament Midwest Regional final, advancing the Spartans to Indianapolis with a 70-69 win over Tennessee.

"He's cherishing the moment," Montgomery said. "Sometimes it's late and it catches some a little later. But he's been there. He's played in four Sweet 16s, two Final Fours. What more can a kid do?

"Down the stretch I'll tell you one thing, he's been one of our most valuable players."

Morgan admits his inspiration as of late has been knowing the end is near in college.

"I think just knowing that it's close to being over," he said. "I think that wakeup call is frightening but it's real and you know it's just about over. You want to do everything in your power to just keep playing."

The fifth-seeded Spartans have a chance to avenge last season's 87-71 drubbing at the hands of North Carolina in the championship game. But they of course will have to get past a dangerous fifth-seeded Butler team that has the comfort and advantage of playing Saturday' semifinal game just seven miles from its campus.

Michigan State does have the advantage of returning most of the players from last year's Final Four squad, though they could miss point guard Kalin Lucas, who is out after having surgery to repair his Achilles tendon.

"Just tasting it last year wasn't good enough, now we want to take that next step and make this complete," said Morgan, who is a co-captain along with Lucas. "We have enough talent to do it."

Morgan is just imagining what it would be life like if the Spartans are able to break through and bring home the national title in his last act in a Michigan State jersey.

"You dream that as a child," he said. "If I do win this championship it would be a blessing. I wouldn't even know what to say."