Freshman forward Raymar Morgan sure knows how to make a great first impression.

In his first collegiate game, Morgan wowed the crowd Sunday at Breslin Center with his athleticism and well-rounded play, scoring 16 points and adding 12 rebounds in 30 minutes to lead the Spartans to a 74-63 win against Northern Michigan.

"I was excited, probably a little too excited at times," Morgan said. "I felt great. My teammates were behind me all the way. I'd like to thank them for that."

Morgan, a 6-foot-7-inch, 220-pound student from McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, didn't play in MSU's first exhibition contest against Grand Valley State on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury suffered in practice. "It's sore," he said Sunday, "but it's nothing I can't get through."

After the game, MSU head coach Tom Izzo described Morgan as "Big. Strong. Athletic. Pretty tough. Real smart. Great understanding of the game."

Although Morgan's scoring numbers looked great, it was his rebounding that left the biggest impression on his teammates and coaches.

Junior guard Drew Neitzel said it's going to be Morgan's rebounding, not his scoring, that is going to help the Spartans this season.

"He's got a nose for the ball," Neitzel said. "It's something that you have or you don't have. He's always in the right position and it doesn't hurt to be (6-foot-7 inches) and have the length that he has."

Izzo was equally impressed with the overall package, but said that with the missed practice time, Morgan's conditioning was up to par. But the expectations aren't too lofty.

"If he gets in shape, he could be one of the better forwards as a freshman that we've had here in a long, long time," Izzo said.

Morgan grabbed three offensive rebounds in the game, a number that is likely to be improved on.

"I think Raymar has the chance to be the best offensive rebounder we've had in a long time," Izzo said. "He had 12 (rebounds), but he took about 10 minutes off in the second half. Fatigue set in a little bit.

"He couldn't practice for those days, so fatigue should've set in a little bit. Otherwise, I think he could've had 15 or 16 (rebounds)."

It's still a learning process, though, as Izzo had words prepared for Morgan each time he came off the floor.

"It's just more teaching," Morgan said. "Little stuff that, me being a freshman, I wouldn't know. Things like running the lane, little stuff. Nothing bad."