Last night was the best 40 minutes of basketball I've seen from the Spartans in...I don't know how long. They may have had bigger wins this year against more challenging opponents, but I can't recall the last time when the team clicked on all cylinders for the entire game (or at least until 3:32 was left and Izzo started inserting the "human victory cigars").
Adreain Payne finally played and, though he looked rusty, contributed 12 points in 18 minutes. More importantly, his presence in the post opened up perimeter shooting opportunities for the likes of Gary Harris and Kenny Kaminski.
The bad news was Keith Appling didn't play, but Denzel Valentine had a spectacular game--maybe his best game as a Spartan--and Travis Trice played well at point guard..
Speaking of "best games as a Spartan," how about Kaminski? 7/9 from the field and 5/6 from 3-point range--good for 19 points.
The Nittany Lions came into town riding a 3-game winning streak, but MSU punched them in the mouth early and took them out of the game. Every time Penn State attempted to make a run, MSU answered immediately.
Next up: Wisconsin. They've struggled in the Big Ten, and have even had trouble at the Kohl Center, but something about playing MSU seems to bring out the best in them. Sunday's showdown could be a nail-biter.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Just a short blurb about "'crootin'" and tonight's Penn State game
I don't follow high school recruiting closely--if at all--and, hence, don't treat national signing day as some sort of unofficial holiday. I've always found it pointless to get emotionally invested in the college choices made by teenage athletes.
Having said that, I'm happy to see that Michigan State's highly successful 2013 football season is already paying dividends on the recruiting trail. Now, we just need Malik McDowell's parents to get on board with his choice, and this could be Mark Dantonio's most highly rated class.
Adreian Payne will be back in the lineup for tonight's basketball game against Penn State, and here's hoping that having the big fella back and being back home in Big Ten competition will inspire the team. They need a shot in the arm after the Georgetown misfire.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Georgetown 64, Michigan State 60
Georgetown wanted it more.
That was what I took away from MSU's 64-60 loss to the Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon...then I got mad at myself for spending two-plus hours watching one of the most lethargic, uninspired Spartan basketball performances of the entire season. That was one ugly game.
In my previous post, I picked the Spartans to beat Georgetown in a close game. I completely underestimated Georgetown's desperation, while overestimating Michigan State's interest in playing in the game.
The good news is the result of this game means relatively little for MSU. It was a non-conference game against an unranked opponent. Sure, it would have been nice to win, but I don't think it would have done anything for MSU's RPI or tournament resume. And, actually, getting out of New York without any further injuries is probably a bigger victory for the Spartans than if they'd defeated the Hoyas on the basketball court.
Better news occurred yesterday, when Indiana beat Michigan at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Spartans and Wolverines are now tied for first place in the Big Ten. I have to admit that if I had to choose between a Michigan State win over Georgetown or a Michigan loss to Indiana, I'd have gladly taken the Michigan loss: and not so much because I dislike Michigan, but because it helps Michigan State in the conference race.
So now, it's time to get Adreain Payne back in the MSU lineup and gear up for the final half of the conference season. I may be proven wrong in the end, but I firmly believe that if this team gets healthy and all the pieces back in place, they have a legitimate shot at a national championship run.
That was what I took away from MSU's 64-60 loss to the Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon...then I got mad at myself for spending two-plus hours watching one of the most lethargic, uninspired Spartan basketball performances of the entire season. That was one ugly game.
In my previous post, I picked the Spartans to beat Georgetown in a close game. I completely underestimated Georgetown's desperation, while overestimating Michigan State's interest in playing in the game.
The good news is the result of this game means relatively little for MSU. It was a non-conference game against an unranked opponent. Sure, it would have been nice to win, but I don't think it would have done anything for MSU's RPI or tournament resume. And, actually, getting out of New York without any further injuries is probably a bigger victory for the Spartans than if they'd defeated the Hoyas on the basketball court.
Better news occurred yesterday, when Indiana beat Michigan at Assembly Hall in Bloomington. The Spartans and Wolverines are now tied for first place in the Big Ten. I have to admit that if I had to choose between a Michigan State win over Georgetown or a Michigan loss to Indiana, I'd have gladly taken the Michigan loss: and not so much because I dislike Michigan, but because it helps Michigan State in the conference race.
So now, it's time to get Adreain Payne back in the MSU lineup and gear up for the final half of the conference season. I may be proven wrong in the end, but I firmly believe that if this team gets healthy and all the pieces back in place, they have a legitimate shot at a national championship run.
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