After missing the last three games while recovering from walking pneumonia, Michigan State junior Raymar Morgan expects to be back in the line-up this Tuesday when the No. 9 Spartans take on second-place Big Ten rival Purdue.

Morgan practiced on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday this week. He says that he will be prepared to play on Tuesday.

"I will be ready to play whether coach needs me to play 1 minute or 20," said Morgan. "I am going to provide those minutes."

Morgan says he is eager to face Purdue after missing the last three games and playing a limited role in the handful of games he played reduced minutes after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Morgan says that he could have played against Michigan if he had been needed. But by sitting out against the Wolverines, Morgan had more time to recuperate and should be able to play a bigger role against Purdue than he might have had he played in Ann Arbor.

"If I absolutely needed to I could have gone," said Morgan of his available for the Michigan game. "Coach knew what he was doing and I respect his choice."

Morgan says the time away from basketball has helped him look at the game from the vantage point of a coach on the bench rather than a player in the game. Now he is eager to get back and help his team as they make a push for Michigan State's first Big Ten title since the 2001-2002 season.



...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial