Spartans beat the Longhorns, and a football recap

I meant to get to this yesterday, but 'tis the season for other activities besides blogging about sports.

The Spartans played significantly better in the second half of yesterday's game, as I expected they would, and beat Texas, 67-56. Derrick Nix had a career day.

Heading into the Big Ten season, Michigan and Indiana are clearly playing better than anyone in the conference, but who knows what will happen once these twelve teams start beating up on each other.

The Spartans are playing tough, Tom Izzo defense, which may make up for the team's eyesore of an offense.  The key to their success offensively may be how well Nix and Payne play in the paint, as well as Branden Dawson. Perimeter shooting looks like it will be inconsistent, unless Gary Harris continues to gain confidence throughout the season and can gain a consistent shot.  But good defense can go a long way, and that could carry this team. Realistically, I don't see the Spartans winning the Big Ten this year, but I certainly won't count them out.

***

I never got around to a football recap.

I know the season isn't over yet, with the Spartans soon heading to Arizona to play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, but by then the college basketball season will be about to get into full swing, and I may not want to write about football.

The Spartans' season was a disappointment, there is no denying.  I didn't make any predictions before the season started because, honestly, I had no idea what to expect. However, I thought 8-4 or 9-3 were realistic  expectations: a step back from 2010 and 2011, but not too far of a drop off.  I didn't expect 6-6. When you get right down to it, this is still Michigan State football. The program has not yet reached the point where it can simply reload each season and one can automatically pencil in at least 8 or 9 wins.

Despite the 6-6 season, MSU really had a pretty darned good team this year. It wasn't one of those 6-6 records of past MSU seasons in which at least a few of the losses were blowouts.  The Spartans lost five Big Ten games by a combined 13 points. The only game MSU lost by more than four points was the non-conference game against Notre Dame. The final score of that particular contest was 20-3, but the outcome swung on a few phenomenal offensive plays by Everett Golson. The game was closer than the final score indicates and, by the way, the Fighting Irish went undefeated this season and are playing for the national championship.

Still, great teams make the one or two plays necessary to seize victory from the jaws of defeat, and too often this season MSU was unable to make those plays. They were a competitive .500 team, and that's about it.

Along the way, the Spartans had a few quality wins. In retrospect, MSU's opening day win over Boise State may be the best one. The Broncos only lost one more game the rest of the season en route to an 11-2 record and a Maaco Bowl win over Washington. MSU's other impressive win was the improbable overtime road nailbiter over Big Ten Rose Bowl representative Wisconsin. Granted, the Badgers lost their starting quarterback in that game, but the Spartans thoroughly shut down Montee Ball and James White. The Badgers came into that game having won 22 straight home games until the Spartans beat them.

The Spartans' defense was absolutely great this season, but the team's downfall was without a doubt offense and special teams. Though Andrew Maxwell did an adequate job at quarterback, Kirk Cousins may go down as one of the top two or three quarterbacks to ever play at Michigan State.

We (fans and the media) thoroughly underestimated how difficult it would be to replace Keshawn Martin, B.J. Cunningham, Keith Nichol and Edwin Baker. MSU has produced so many outstanding receivers over the years, I took it for granted that this year's crop would just step in and not miss a beat. That didn't happen.

Keshawn Martin has athleticism and kick return capabilities that were sorely missed on this year's team. (MSU always seemed to get very little from kick returns this season and often started possessions with poor field position). B.J. Cunningham and Keith Nichol had sure hands and always seem to make big catches when they were needed the most. Keith Nichol was also an exceptionally good blocker. Edwin Baker, despite his fumbling problems, had speed on the edges that Le'Veon Bell simply doesn't have. Baker was sorely missed in short yardage situations.

Le'Veon Bell had a great year at running back, but unfortunately nobody else stepped up as a viable second back. I expected either Larry Caper or Nick Hill to complement Bell, but that never happened.

The inexperienced receivers got off to a rocky start, but improved throughout the year. Bennie Fowler and Keith Mumphery each finished the season with 41 catches. Aaron Burbridge and Tony Lippett both had good seasons too, and Dion Sims was excellent at tight end. Sims may be in the NFL next season, but Fowler, Mumphery, Burbridge, and Lippett will all be back, so the receiver position should have a lot of depth in 2013. I just hope that DeAnthony Arnett can get things straightened out on and off the field, and that if Sims doesn't return, the Spartans have viable alternatives at tight end.

Dan Conroy also was not quite as good in 2012 as he had been in 2011. He was perfect on PATs for the second consecutive season, but only 22 of 31 on field goal attempts compared to 18 for 24 in 2011.

Basically, MSU's defense was just as good if not better in 2012 than 2011, but offense and special teams took a big step back.  It added up to a disappointing 6-6 record, but a win over TCU in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl would end the season on a bright note and give some hope for 2013.

MSU/Texas halftime observations

MSU's lack of perimeter shooting has me troubled, as has their consistent inability to handle the rock. However, Derrick Nix is having a great game, and that is good. The Spartans just need better play from everyone else.

All year I've heard about how Texas basketball was bad this year. Well, I watched a good deal of their game against North Carolina and the Longhorns demolished the Heels. That game was not close. From what  I can tell so far, Texas is good and should only continue to improve throughout the remainder of the season.

It's only halftime, and few coaches are better at making halftime adjustments than Tom Izzo. If MSU can continue to play good defense, which is their calling card this year, and make some shots, perhaps they can pull this game out.

The Courtship of Jabari Parker

Today's the day.

The day when a 17 year-old basketball player from Simeon High School in Chicago finally announces where he intends on playing his college ball.

I don't generally follow recruiting that closely, but this one has been unavoidable. The wooing of this youngster really places the spotlight on how crazy recruiting has become, and the incredible and costly lengths that coaches will go to in order to sign a prospect.

Within the last week, Tom Izzo has flown to Texas and Chicago to be near Jabari Parker, taking time away from his team to remind this kid, "We really want you and are extremely interested in you." Mike Krzyzewski has done essentially the same. How much money does this cost Michigan State and Duke, and all for a player who may not even sign for either school?  It's madness, but what else is new? College sports in general has become madness. Yet I, and many others, continue to support it with enthusiasm, further encouraging the "arms race" between competing colleges and universities.

Stay tuned. At 4:00 or so when Jabari Parker makes his announcement. Only one school and fanbase will be happy, while several others will be sad, having spent many hours, days, and money only to come up empty-handed.

Having written all of that, I will be absolutely elated if Jabari Parker chooses MSU.

Postscript: Jabari Parker chose Duke, and has had an outstanding freshman season for the Blue Devils. Cue "sad face."

The Jenison Field House game

Michigan State defeated Tuskegee University on Saturday night. It was the first MSU basketball game at Jenison Field House since the Spartans' 1989 NIT appearance.

I did not attend the game, but watched it on television. It was so much fun seeing Jenison on TV again, and almost brought back memories of watching the Spartans in the days of Magic, Special K, Jay Vincent, Kevin Willis, and Scott Skiles. If only MSU could have replicated that funky old tartan court from the '70s and early '80s, (As a kid, I remember feeling embarrassed by that floor and wished MSU could have a "normal" wood floor. They did eventually end up getting rid of the tartan floor and replacing it with wood sometime in the mid-'80s).

MSU played a lackluster and sloppy first half against Tuskegee, but improved greatly in the second half and won by 36 points. I read many upset and angry posts on the Red Cedar Message Board during the first half, but as usual the complaining was completely over the top.

Nothing can really be taken from this game. It was played in the unfamiliar (for the current players) surroundings of Jenison, in front of a fairly subdued crowd that was nothing like the raucous Jenison crowds of old, against an energetic but thoroughly outmatched opponent. MSU was in a difficult position: you don't want to invite Tuskegee to participate in this game and then completely blow them out, at the same time anything short of a blow out looks to many as a sloppy struggle.

The next few games for MSU, against Bowling Green on the road and Texas at Breslin, will tell a lot more about the Spartan basketball team.

Catching up before I fall asleep

It's extremely early on a Saturday morning and I really should go to bed. However, the house is quiet and I'm getting to do what I rarely have a chance to do when I'm at home: get on a computer and write.

On a day when there has been a tragic mass shooting in the United States, it hardly seems appropriate to talk about sports, but I finished writing about that (and the political kookiness in Michigan) on my other blog, brainsplotch. (Shameless plug)

The MSU alumni basketball game was tonight, but I didn't go. I saw on the MSU Spartans athletic site that the "home" team, led by the Flintstones, defeated the "away" team, which had Steve Smith on its roster. The score was 125-119. (Clearly not much defense played in the game, but that's not very surprising).

I'm looking forward to watching tomorrow's (or should I say "today's") game against Tuskegee at Jenison Fieldhouse. I won't be there in person, but I plan on watching the game on ESPNU. It'll be fun to see Jenison on television again.

I feel at this point that I'm too tired and uninspired to continue with this post, so I'm gonna sign off for now. I will try and get back on here and write about some of the recent events in the Big Ten, college sports, and the Spartans.

Fifth Annual Treasures from the Spartan Attic Big Ten Football Awards

For the fifth year in a row, I give out my much coveted Big Ten football awards.  Unfortunately, I don't currently have time to elaborate on my choices, but will do so later.

Most Valuable Player: Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Best Quarterback: Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Best Running Back: Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Best Wide Receiver: Allen Robinson, Penn State

Best Kicker: Jeff Budzien, Northwestern

Best Defensive Lineman: John Simon, Ohio State

Best Linebacker: Max Bullough, Michigan State

Best Defensive Back: Micah Hyde, Iowa

Best Punter: Will Hagerup, Michigan

Coach of the Year: Bill O'Brien, Penn State

Going bowling! (Michigan State 26, Minnesota 10)...and my week in Spartan sports

It sure wasn't pretty, which seeing as how this MSU football season has gone, was completely appropriate--but the Spartans wore down Minnesota 26-10 and clinched a sixth straight bowl appearance.

As far as the good goes in this game, Le'Veon Bell had a tremendous day (35 carries, 266 yards, 1 touchdown) in what could very well be his final regular season game as a Spartan.

The bad has to be Andrew Maxwell. I hate throwing a collegiate athlete under the proverbial bus, but Maxwell seems to have regressed as the season has worn on. I don't know if it's poor coaching or Maxwell simply not improving. His two interceptions were terrible and he continues to overthrow receivers. The quarterback position should be wide open in the spring and summer, and I'd like to see incoming freshman Damion Terry get a serious look. (And that, my friends, is my two-bit analysis).

Now, I've read some comments from MSU fans basically stating, "What is there to be excited about? Why do we accept mediocrity?" Nobody is accepting mediocrity, and I doubt anyone is excited about a trip to the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, but a sixth straight bowl trip is important for this program. It demonstrates a level of consistency under Dantonio that has not existed in many, many years. Not even George Perles was able to lead MSU to six straight bowl appearances (however, in fairness to George, it was a bit more difficult to become bowl-eligible in the eighties and early nineties). So count me as one of the "sunshine blowers" who is happy to see the Spartans going to a bowl game.

***

I went to two MSU basketball games this week. On Tuesday, my wife was the lucky recipient of four tickets  to the Boise State game. (Her employer is a sponsor of Spartan athletics and receives comp tickets). The seats certainly aren't prime, but it is always fun to attend a game at Breslin.  As it turned out, Boise State (and the officials) offered a stiff challenge for the Spartans. In what was undoubtedly the most surreal game I have ever attended at Breslin, I worried at one point that the arena would break out into a full riot when Derrick Nix was called for a questionable elbowing foul and an irate Tom Izzo received a technical foul. It got downright ugly at Breslin. The Izzone was getting into it with a few Boise State fans behind the Broncos' bench, and police got into the middle of the verbal sparring match. Thankfully, the arena calmed down, the Spartans regained control of the game and escaped with a 74-70 win.

I was looking forward to watching freshman phenom Gary Harris play in person, but he was knocked out of the game when he ran into a moving screen and separated his shoulder. After spending much of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning filled with anxiety over Harris' fate, I (and every other MSU basketball fan) was relieved to learn he will only be out two to three weeks.

On Friday night, I attended the MSU/Oakland game with my sister-in-law's husband, who has season tickets. It was another nip-and-tuck battle against a fairly solid opponent, but the Spartans pulled away in the final four minutes or so and won 70-52. With Travis Trice and Gary Harris out, the guard position has been seriously depleted and that has undoubtedly hurt the Spartans, but perhaps in the long run it'll make them a better team.

Keith Appling had some absolutely "wow!" inspiring drives to the basket. He is an exceptional talent and takes over the game when the Spartans need him the most. Denzel Valentine, though he occasionally makes freshman mistakes, is a great passer and looks like someone who will develop into a dependable scorer. Adreian Payne had one of his very best games. Brandan Kearney. Russell Byrd, and Branden Dawson had some trouble hanging onto the basketball. That really could be said for the entire team: there were far too many turnovers in the game. I suspect some of that may be because two of MSU's best ballhandlers, Trice and Harris, are out of commission.