The Michigan State Spartans are off to a bit of a rocky start having already lost 3 games to begin the 2012-2013 basketball season. Losing last year’s centerpiece, Draymond Green, has badly hurt them.  MSU was hopeful that Sophomore forward Branden Dawson, who tore his ACL last season and was lost for the year, could fill some of Green’s void.

However, it’s plays like these by Dawson that will not help his cause. After a Gary Harris 3-pointer, Dawson appears to throw a punch at Matt Carroll’s stomach. Without a good TV angle and much of a reaction from Carroll, it’s unclear if Dawson landed the punch.

Michigan State easily handled Purdue, 84-61. This play by Dawson, which will likely not receive him any suspension, will overshadow the victory for the Spartans.

Michigan State has reviewed an under the basket video of Branden Dawson and didn’t see a punch. No further action required.

— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) January 5, 2013

Dawson has had previous issues with Purdue and their head coach Matt Painter.  Read about them here.