Spartans’ Draymond Green Gets Controversial Triple-Double

by David Cassilo / @dcassilo

On Thursday night Draymond Green joined Magic Johnson and Charlie Bell as the only Michigan State players to ever record a triple-double. Green’s 15 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists helped the Spartans stop a two-game losing streak by defeating Penn State, 75-57.

Green notched that final assist with just 21 seconds left. He hit Delvon Roe with a pass, who after he scored was fouled hard by Penn State’s Billy Oliver and was forced to leave the game. Oliver was hit with a technical.

That play had both the Spartans and the Nittany Lions talking after the game.

From the Detroit Free Press:

“It was quite an exciting moment to see Day Day (Green) get a triple-double,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “And yet, a sad moment to see Delvon get undercut. I don’t know what his status is.”

Green and the Spartans were well aware in the closing minutes that he was an assist away from a triple-double, so they did everything they could help him, and the Nittany Lions fouled early, often and hard to prevent it.

Penn State coach Ed DeChellis did not look happy about the way Green got the triple-double, but refused to lash out about it publicly.

While Green’s triple-double and the way it happened will get a lot of talk, all of the Spartans have to be happiest about getting an easy victory. Michigan State had lost five of its six prior games, with its three previous wins coming in overtime. A consensus preseason national title contender, the Spartans now hit a five day break with a 14-10 record. Things don’t get any easier when they get back on the floor. A trip to Columbus to take on Ohio State awaits.