Once again, I'm at a loss of words as to where to start this post--so I'll just get to it.
I'm continually amazed at the sheer number of huge games and momentous victories that Michigan State has had under Tom Izzo. At this point, there have to be at least a couple dozen games that one could look at individually and say, "That was an incredible win!" Now, just add today's Big Ten Tournament-winning game against Ohio State to that luminous list.
First of all, it was one of the most exciting college basketball games I have ever seen...period. The only other MSU game I can think of that comes close in terms of sheer drama is the 2009 Final Four game against UConn. This game between the Spartans and Buckeyes was like watching Ali and Frazier go at it. Two extremely tough and talented basketball teams delivering non-stop body blows, with the Spartans finally coming out on top.
Did anyone, outside of the MSU team themselves, expect the Spartans to play so well without Branden Dawson? These guys just went out and played perhaps their best basketball of the entire season, at a time when it was the probably the least expected--certainly by knuckleheads like me.
How about Brandon Wood? He played a terrible game against Indiana about a week-and-a-half ago, and has followed it up with three straight good-to-excellent games, with none better than today's 21 point performance.
I'm thrilled for Austin Thornton, who has been brilliant in in the last few weeks. His three-point barrage against Wisconsin got the Spartans back in that game, and he did the little things today that don't make the stat sheet.
And then there's Draymond Green. I think I've used up every adjective in the dictionary for this guy. He didn't have one of his best games today, but that 3-point shot late in the game was the "YEEESSSSS!!!!" moment of the day.
Could there have been a more perfect storybook ending to the regular season? It's amazing to think that exactly one week ago I was depressed over MSU's two-point loss to Ohio State, and now I am jubilant over this remarkable MSU Big Ten tournament run capped off with a redemptive win over the Buckeyes. And it is so sweet to end Ohio State's run of two straight Big Ten Tournament championships, and for MSU to get their first tournament crown since 2000...and speaking of 2000, we all remember how MSU's season ended that year? Pretty decent conclusion to that year, if memory serves me well.
I just can't get over what an amazing season it has been for the Spartan basketball team. I'm a little disappointed that I never made it to Breslin for any of MSU's Big Ten games, but I'm happy that I was able to see them a few times in person during their non-conference gestation period. Even then, I could see that this team had potential, certainly enough raw material to finish in the top half of the Big Ten and get into the tournament, but I never would have predicted a Big Ten regular season title AND a Big Ten tournament title. Just add this remarkable season to Tom Izzo's incredible resume.
Showing posts with label Draymond Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Draymond Green. Show all posts
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Can't believe I'm saying this, "Thank you, Badgers!"...
...though it's not as if the Spartans needed their help that much, because I believe they should win at least one of their remaining two games, and with Ohio State free falling the way they are, it's hard to imagine the Spartans losing on senior day at Breslin Center.
Tom Izzo has his seventh Big Ten title in 17 seasons as MSU's head coach. Quite an amazing feat. As I wrote to a friend on Facebook, we have gone from the most underachieving, frustrating team of the Izzo era last year to the most overachieving, hardworking team of the Izzo era this season. It's been an incredible turnaround and has to rank as one of Izzo's best coaching jobs. However, Tom Izzo would probably agree that a coach's job is much easier when he has players who work well together and want to work hard, and when said coach also has a senior leader like Draymond Green.
Speaking of Day-Day, he has now officially joined the pantheon of great Spartan basketball players. That Mt. Rushmore of the MSU hardwood includes such luminaries as Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Gregory Kelser, Scott Skiles, Steve Smith, and Mateen Cleaves. It will only be a matter of time (three years maximum?) before Draymond Green has his number hanging in the rafters of the Breslin Center.
While I'm on the subject of the pantheon of Spartan hardwood greats, what more does Tom Izzo need to do to further cement himself as the greatest coach in Michigan State athletics history? Is there even a debate that he's the greatest we have ever seen in East Lansing, regardless of sport? I suppose an argument could be made that Biggie Munn is the best, but Biggie was only football coach for seven seasons. And as good as Duffy Daugherty was as football coach, he doesn't have the hardware that Izzo has, and his career took a precipitous slide after high water mark of 1966. As I see it, Izzo is the best coach in MSU history.
Tom Izzo has his seventh Big Ten title in 17 seasons as MSU's head coach. Quite an amazing feat. As I wrote to a friend on Facebook, we have gone from the most underachieving, frustrating team of the Izzo era last year to the most overachieving, hardworking team of the Izzo era this season. It's been an incredible turnaround and has to rank as one of Izzo's best coaching jobs. However, Tom Izzo would probably agree that a coach's job is much easier when he has players who work well together and want to work hard, and when said coach also has a senior leader like Draymond Green.
Speaking of Day-Day, he has now officially joined the pantheon of great Spartan basketball players. That Mt. Rushmore of the MSU hardwood includes such luminaries as Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Gregory Kelser, Scott Skiles, Steve Smith, and Mateen Cleaves. It will only be a matter of time (three years maximum?) before Draymond Green has his number hanging in the rafters of the Breslin Center.
While I'm on the subject of the pantheon of Spartan hardwood greats, what more does Tom Izzo need to do to further cement himself as the greatest coach in Michigan State athletics history? Is there even a debate that he's the greatest we have ever seen in East Lansing, regardless of sport? I suppose an argument could be made that Biggie Munn is the best, but Biggie was only football coach for seven seasons. And as good as Duffy Daugherty was as football coach, he doesn't have the hardware that Izzo has, and his career took a precipitous slide after high water mark of 1966. As I see it, Izzo is the best coach in MSU history.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Michigan State 62, Nebraska 34
Leisurely watched the game whilst nursing a glass of shiraz.
Ugly, typical Big Ten defensive slugfest in the first half. I think Nebraska figured their only chance was to "uglify" the game as much as possible, and despite not being able to hit the broad side of a barn, the Huskers were only down by eight at intermission.
I didn't expect the game to turn into such a blowout in the second half, but I also didn't expect Nebraska's best player, Bo Spencer, to go out at halftime with an injury. That's not to say that Nebraska would have had a chance even with Spencer in there, but what would have probably been a 15-20 point loss turned into a 28 point loss.
It was great to see Draymond Green get his 1000th career rebound late in the second half, and touching to see Austin Thornton immediately acknowledge it.
The most entertaining moment of the night had to be Derrick Nix getting a steal and thundering in for a monster jam. I thought the big fella was going to bring down the entire goalpost with him.
So, a potential trap game was decidedly NOT a trap. The guys may have not played at the peak of their abilities, but they went out there with enough energy to put Nebraska away almost immediately. Now it's time for a tussle with Indiana down in Bloomington.
Having the Spartans kick the Cornhuskers' butts twice in hoops almost makes up for that disappointing football loss our guys suffered in Lincoln.
And, to close, I'd like to thank the Michigan Wolverines for losing to Purdue. I appreciate the gesture a great deal. As a Michigan State fan, I sure as hell don't want the Spartans having to share a title with Michigan, and I definitely do NOT want Michigan having any chance of finishing above the Spartans in the final standings. Michigan has gone 25 years without a conference basketball title, and I'd be more than happy to see it extended to 26 years.
Ugly, typical Big Ten defensive slugfest in the first half. I think Nebraska figured their only chance was to "uglify" the game as much as possible, and despite not being able to hit the broad side of a barn, the Huskers were only down by eight at intermission.
I didn't expect the game to turn into such a blowout in the second half, but I also didn't expect Nebraska's best player, Bo Spencer, to go out at halftime with an injury. That's not to say that Nebraska would have had a chance even with Spencer in there, but what would have probably been a 15-20 point loss turned into a 28 point loss.
It was great to see Draymond Green get his 1000th career rebound late in the second half, and touching to see Austin Thornton immediately acknowledge it.
The most entertaining moment of the night had to be Derrick Nix getting a steal and thundering in for a monster jam. I thought the big fella was going to bring down the entire goalpost with him.
So, a potential trap game was decidedly NOT a trap. The guys may have not played at the peak of their abilities, but they went out there with enough energy to put Nebraska away almost immediately. Now it's time for a tussle with Indiana down in Bloomington.
Having the Spartans kick the Cornhuskers' butts twice in hoops almost makes up for that disappointing football loss our guys suffered in Lincoln.
And, to close, I'd like to thank the Michigan Wolverines for losing to Purdue. I appreciate the gesture a great deal. As a Michigan State fan, I sure as hell don't want the Spartans having to share a title with Michigan, and I definitely do NOT want Michigan having any chance of finishing above the Spartans in the final standings. Michigan has gone 25 years without a conference basketball title, and I'd be more than happy to see it extended to 26 years.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Spartans batter the Badgers
Ho-hum, just another huge win for Spartan basketball last night in a thoroughly dominating performance against Wisconsin. I feel as if I'm getting spoiled.
I just finished re-watching the game on ESPN3, affording me the opportunity to focus on the details of the game. Here are some observations:
After a slow start, the Spartans went on a 14-0 run between the 9:23 mark of the first half to 4:27, when Jared Berggren of Wisconsin finally converted on a jumper to end the drought. This is the best defense MSU basketball has had since at least the '08-'09 team, which I suppose isn't going back that far and just goes to show how consistently good Tom Izzo-coached teams have been defensively.
Branden Dawson is blossoming as a player before our eyes. I noticed one Wisconsin possession in particular in which Dawson smothered Rob Wilson like a blanket. Dawson also had a spectacular coast-to-coast bucket in the first half in which he cut through defenders like a Lamborghini weaving through freeway traffic.
Ever since he had a 90-minute heart-to-heart meeting in Tom Izzo's office, Brandon Wood has looked like a new player. He's been doing the little things that help win games, like terrific passes to open shooters and hustle plays on defense. Wood had a beautiful dish to Derrick Nix late in the first half which Nix converted into an easy bucket.
It was nice to see Brandan Kearney and Russell Byrd getting some minutes. Kearney played especially well in his brief time on the floor. This should bode well for future. (And as an aside, has MSU reached its quota of players named "Brandon"--or variations thereof?).
Although Adreian Payne didn't have an especially great game (perhaps coming down a bit after his great performance against OSU), Derrick Nix did, and displayed some great moves in the paint. I love MSU's big men this season.
Keith Appling was brilliant and had one of his best games in at least a couple of weeks, and if Draymond Green isn't college basketball's best player, I'd like to know who is.
I just finished re-watching the game on ESPN3, affording me the opportunity to focus on the details of the game. Here are some observations:
After a slow start, the Spartans went on a 14-0 run between the 9:23 mark of the first half to 4:27, when Jared Berggren of Wisconsin finally converted on a jumper to end the drought. This is the best defense MSU basketball has had since at least the '08-'09 team, which I suppose isn't going back that far and just goes to show how consistently good Tom Izzo-coached teams have been defensively.
Branden Dawson is blossoming as a player before our eyes. I noticed one Wisconsin possession in particular in which Dawson smothered Rob Wilson like a blanket. Dawson also had a spectacular coast-to-coast bucket in the first half in which he cut through defenders like a Lamborghini weaving through freeway traffic.
Ever since he had a 90-minute heart-to-heart meeting in Tom Izzo's office, Brandon Wood has looked like a new player. He's been doing the little things that help win games, like terrific passes to open shooters and hustle plays on defense. Wood had a beautiful dish to Derrick Nix late in the first half which Nix converted into an easy bucket.
It was nice to see Brandan Kearney and Russell Byrd getting some minutes. Kearney played especially well in his brief time on the floor. This should bode well for future. (And as an aside, has MSU reached its quota of players named "Brandon"--or variations thereof?).
Although Adreian Payne didn't have an especially great game (perhaps coming down a bit after his great performance against OSU), Derrick Nix did, and displayed some great moves in the paint. I love MSU's big men this season.
Keith Appling was brilliant and had one of his best games in at least a couple of weeks, and if Draymond Green isn't college basketball's best player, I'd like to know who is.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A sigh of relief
Today was filled with anxiety as I waited for news regarding Draymond Green's injury. Thankfully, Day Day only has a sprained knee and is day-to-day--what a huge relief. I hope he can play Sunday against Michigan because the Spartan could certainly use him, even if he isn't 100 percent.
Last night's game was hard to watch. Yes, there was great defense and it was quite physical (typical Big Ten game) but filled with enough bricks to build a second Empire State Building. Illinois did everything they could to lose the game and gift wrap it for MSU, but the Spartans declined the offer.
Michigan fans are becoming insufferable in recent weeks, so I pray that the Spartans knock off the Wolvies so that these human cockroaches will scurry back into their dark crevices, at least for a little while.
Last night's game was hard to watch. Yes, there was great defense and it was quite physical (typical Big Ten game) but filled with enough bricks to build a second Empire State Building. Illinois did everything they could to lose the game and gift wrap it for MSU, but the Spartans declined the offer.
Michigan fans are becoming insufferable in recent weeks, so I pray that the Spartans knock off the Wolvies so that these human cockroaches will scurry back into their dark crevices, at least for a little while.
Friday, November 4, 2011
MSU basketball exhibition vs. Hillsdale
I managed to score two tickets to the exhibition game against Hillsdale and took my ten year-old son. As soon as we stepped into Breslin, I immediately fueled him with Pepsi and popcorn and we were fairly good to go for the rest of the evening.
It's hard to take much from games like these. Although Hillsdale played hard, they were clearly overmatched. The Spartans led the entire game and really were not seriously challenged at any point in the game, as should be expected in an exhibition. The final score was a fairly lackluster 80-58.
It was fun to see all the new faces on the MSU basketball team. They are young, but have several athletic newcomers who should be enjoyable to watch this season. I really have no idea what to expect from this year's team, but the sense of the unknown makes it more exciting, if that makes any sense.
Here are some observations, but keep in mind that I was sitting 28 rows up, behind the basket on the south side of Breslin, trying to keep my son entertained and dealing with several rugrats making lots of noise on my left: not exactly a position to be able to concentrate as fully as I'd like.
Travis Trice is one player who really stood out for me in this particular game. The kid looks like a natural leader on the floor, has a nice smooth shot, and really works hard.
I had not seen Russell Byrd until tonight, and he's another player with a silky smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. Of course, I suppose it's easier to look smooth when one is playing against an overmatched team like Hillsdale, but I still like what I saw. Trice and Byrd have big upsides, and both could develop into excellent contributors in the near future.
Of the other Spartan players, Draymond Green was solid, Derrick Nix looks to be in the best shape of his career, and Keith Appling did a great job guiding the team at point guard, though he struggled from three-point range and had a few ugly turnovers. It will be interesting to see how much time Trice gets this season at point guard. If he continues to play with the confidence and determination he displayed tonight, he will get significant playing time.
But I have absolutely no idea how these guys will play next week against North Carolina. I suspect it could be a tough game for the Spartans, but they just might have the youthful energy and guilelessness to surprise some people. And nobody likes an uphill challenge more than Tom Izzo.
One final note: I was genuinely impressed with how hard Hillsdale played, and the Chargers had one player who stood out for his moxie and grit. He is a little guard named Tyler Gerber (#12). The Hillsdale athletics website has him listed at 5' 10", but he didn't look any taller than 5' 7" from where I was sitting. He finished with about 10 points and hustled the entire game. He looks like a gym rat who isn't afraid of challenging anyone, even if his opponent is a foot taller than he is. Good luck to Hillsdale the rest of the season.
It's hard to take much from games like these. Although Hillsdale played hard, they were clearly overmatched. The Spartans led the entire game and really were not seriously challenged at any point in the game, as should be expected in an exhibition. The final score was a fairly lackluster 80-58.
It was fun to see all the new faces on the MSU basketball team. They are young, but have several athletic newcomers who should be enjoyable to watch this season. I really have no idea what to expect from this year's team, but the sense of the unknown makes it more exciting, if that makes any sense.
Here are some observations, but keep in mind that I was sitting 28 rows up, behind the basket on the south side of Breslin, trying to keep my son entertained and dealing with several rugrats making lots of noise on my left: not exactly a position to be able to concentrate as fully as I'd like.
Travis Trice is one player who really stood out for me in this particular game. The kid looks like a natural leader on the floor, has a nice smooth shot, and really works hard.
I had not seen Russell Byrd until tonight, and he's another player with a silky smooth shooting stroke from the perimeter. Of course, I suppose it's easier to look smooth when one is playing against an overmatched team like Hillsdale, but I still like what I saw. Trice and Byrd have big upsides, and both could develop into excellent contributors in the near future.
Of the other Spartan players, Draymond Green was solid, Derrick Nix looks to be in the best shape of his career, and Keith Appling did a great job guiding the team at point guard, though he struggled from three-point range and had a few ugly turnovers. It will be interesting to see how much time Trice gets this season at point guard. If he continues to play with the confidence and determination he displayed tonight, he will get significant playing time.
But I have absolutely no idea how these guys will play next week against North Carolina. I suspect it could be a tough game for the Spartans, but they just might have the youthful energy and guilelessness to surprise some people. And nobody likes an uphill challenge more than Tom Izzo.
One final note: I was genuinely impressed with how hard Hillsdale played, and the Chargers had one player who stood out for his moxie and grit. He is a little guard named Tyler Gerber (#12). The Hillsdale athletics website has him listed at 5' 10", but he didn't look any taller than 5' 7" from where I was sitting. He finished with about 10 points and hustled the entire game. He looks like a gym rat who isn't afraid of challenging anyone, even if his opponent is a foot taller than he is. Good luck to Hillsdale the rest of the season.
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