After the final horn sounded, the public address announcer requested that fans stay seated for the post-game celebration. Almost everyone in the building obliged.

First, MSU’s four seniors — guard Travis Walton, center Idong Ibok and forwards Marquise Gray and Goran Suton — were honored with individual video presentations highlighting some of their top plays from throughout their careers.

Then, each player was presented with a framed jersey and an opportunity to personally thank the fans and his teammates. Walton spoke the longest, making sure to let the fans know the Spartans are “gonna raise another banner up in here”

“It was kind of overwhelming,” Gray said in the locker room after the game. “I’m just blessed and fortunate enough that I have an opportunity to be a part of this. It’s great being able to say that I have a championship.”

After the senior celebration came the trophy presentation and banner-raising ceremony, which prompted several students to leave their seats and flood the court.

As the banner was elevated to the rafters, the players — each wearing blue, green and white 2008-09 Big Ten Championship hats — cut down the nets.

“It’s one of the best memories I’ve had at Michigan State,” said Ibok, who was escorted during the senior presentation by Lupe Izzo, Tom’s wife. “Today was just unbelievable, the ceremony was just special.”

Izzo said he was apprehensive of waiting until after the game to have the banner ceremony because he didn’t want the thought of the presentation to serve as an emotional drain on his team.

But after some strong convincing by Athletics Director Mark Hollis, Izzo decided it was the right thing to do.

“The players deserve that and I think that’s just about as awesome of a setting as I’ve ever been a part of. I’m thrilled to maybe start a new tradition here. The players liked it and that’s really what’s important.”

Izzo said he never gave much thought to having the celebration last week at Illinois or Indiana.

“When they shipped the trophy to Illinois and Indiana, I shipped it back,” Izzo said. “When they shipped the shirts and hats to Illinois and Indiana, I shipped them back. I’d never do anything on anybody else’s court or in their locker room.

“I wanted to share it with our people.”

Morgan starts
Junior forward Raymar Morgan was back in the starting lineup Sunday, and barring any setbacks, it appears he’ll stay there during the postseason.

Morgan couldn’t guarantee he’ll remain in the lineup the rest of the season, but he said he felt comfortable being in that role for the first time in nearly six weeks.

“I’m just trying to get back on the same level with the other guys, it’s going to come,” Morgan said. “Whatever coach decides, I’m just going to give him 100 percent.”

Morgan, who had been bogged down by walking pneumonia and a minor case of mononucleosis, hadn’t started since Jan. 25 against Ohio State. But with his health and stamina improving, his minutes have increased or remained constant in each of the past six games.

Sunday, Morgan played 29 minutes — his highest total since Jan. 17 against Illinois. He finished with seven points and seven rebounds.

Izzo said he was pleased with the way Morgan played, but added he’s still a work in progress.

“He’s still not fully conditioned yet,” Izzo said. “He wore down a few times.”

One last stand
Walton had done enough before Sunday’s game to justify strong consideration for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, but in case there are still doubters out there, he had one last strong performance in front of a large television audience.

“I’m praying that I get that Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year,” said Walton. “Hopefully they see my efforts and my team’s efforts because they helped me out on defense.”

Walton had three steals, including one that led to a breakaway basket, and played suffocating defense on Purdue guard E’Twaun Moore, holding him to 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Walton also spent some time on forward Robbie Hummel, who scored just eight points on 3-of-12 shooting.

As a team, Purdue shot a woeful 28.3 percent, including 18.8 percent percent in the second period. During halftime, Izzo said Walton inspired the Spartans to dial up the intensity on defense.

“I thought today he brought it to another level,” Izzo said. “He was getting into it defensively out there in almost guarding two guys. At halftime, he gave more of the speech than I did.”

Let the madness begin
After the game, Izzo wasn’t quite ready to start dissecting the Big Ten Tournament, which figures to boast one of the most competitive fields in years.

But he did say he was excited — and a little anxious — about the pressures of single-game elimination.

“I am looking forward to it,” Izzo said. “I guess I’m a little nervous about it because when you go in as a one seed, it’s your own tournament.”

As the one seed, MSU will receive a first-round bye. The Spartans will play Friday while opening round games begin Thursday.

All the tournament action will be held at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.