Michigan State 89, UMKC 54

Just got back from the game.  Just a few quick observations of this blowout (89-54) win over the Kangaroos of the University of Missouri/Kansas City:

Branden Dawson had a great game.  He had one ESPN highlight monster jam and looked more explosive and athletic than I've seen from him at any time this season. Dawson finished the game with a career-high 16 points.

Alex Gauna has improved considerably, and showed some really nice post moves (admittedly against overmatched competition--but I was still impressed with his development).

Travis Trice: the more I see of him, the more I like him.  He has a nice stroke from 3-point range and is an excellent floor general.  For someone so young, he exudes confidence and a high basketball I.Q.  Four years from now, I have a feeling we'll look back at his career and consider him one of the best leaders the Spartan basketball team has ever had.  Maybe that is a bit of a bold statement, but I am incredibly impressed with this guy.

Draymond Green is someone who can already be considered one of the best leaders that MSU hoops has ever had, and he continues to do the little things that win ballgames, as in the extra pass and the putback after a miss.

Brandon Wood made some extremely pretty long range shots, while Russell Byrd still looks tentative.

The area of greatest concern for me is the free throw shooting, where the Spartans continue to struggle.  It hurt them in the Gonzaga game, though the Spartans still managed to win, but it may really end up biting them at some point in the Big Ten season or NCAA tournament.

Recovered from Wisconsin, looking forward to Georgia (and Big Ten basketball)

It's been over a week since I posted in here.  I hope that at least some people out there enjoyed my take on the Big Ten's best football players of 2011, but feel free to let me know why I'm out to lunch with any of my picks.  (Seeing as how Jerel Worthy was just named a first-team All-American, I'm having second thoughts about not giving him my coveted award as top defensive lineman).

I'm finally over the Spartans' loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten football championship game, however it has taken several MSU basketball wins (particularly the Gonzaga victory), and the Detroit Lions improved performances of late to finally ease the pain.

I haven't posted in here because there hasn't been much to write about.  We are in that lull between the end of the football regular season and the bowl game and the beginning of the Big Ten hoops season.

I've been able to make it out to Breslin for a few Spartan basketball games and I like what I've seen so far.  Tonight I'll be going to see the Spartans take on the mighty Kangaroos of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  I expect a huge blowout win for State, but we shall see.