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.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Colossal win for Spartan hoops!
I am watching the third period of Michigan State's hockey game against Michigan and basking in the glow of the Spartan cagers win over Ohio State, and I must also say I am feeling the warmth of a celebratory glass of pinot noir.
As I stated in a previous post (thank you!), Tom Izzo thrives on games like the one we had tonight: a big game against a formidable foe with a lot at stake. This had the feel of an NCAA tournament game, and everyone knows how well the Izzo-led Spartans have done in March Madness.
It was a tremendous defensive effort by the Spartans. Sullinger was frustrated the entire game, and Buford was neutralized. Certainly not the prettiest game one will ever see, but whatever--I'll take the win.
Quite improbably and amazingly, the Spartans are in the driver's seat for the Big Ten title, and if MSU wins it, it just might be the best coaching job of Tom Izzo's career--and this is a man who has had his share of incredible coaching jobs.
Halftime: Michigan State 35, Ohio State 25
Good first half for MSU. The defensive effort is solid, the MSU players are focused and intense, and Sullinger looks a little bit frustrated. Here's hoping the Spartans can keep it up in the second half. I fully expect the Buckeyes to come out strong in the second half and we'll have to see if the Spartans can match them.
I had no idea that Dan Dakich was the Jared Sullinger Fan Club president. I'm not noticing these phantom fouls against Sullinger that aren't getting called, but I could be watching the game through green-tinted shades.
Twenty more minutes to play and it should be intense. I maintain that it will be difficult for the Spartans to beat OSU at Value City Arena, but I love the effort they've displayed thus far.
I had no idea that Dan Dakich was the Jared Sullinger Fan Club president. I'm not noticing these phantom fouls against Sullinger that aren't getting called, but I could be watching the game through green-tinted shades.
Twenty more minutes to play and it should be intense. I maintain that it will be difficult for the Spartans to beat OSU at Value City Arena, but I love the effort they've displayed thus far.
Almost time for Ohio State
Five minutes until the Spartans take on Ohio State in hoops. I slightly favor the Buckeyes at home, but this is just the sort of game that Tom Izzo thrives on.
I'll be interested to see what kind of shape Sullinger is in, as he got hurt in OSU's game against Purdue. I suspect he'll be fine. For all the talk about Sullinger though, I think William Buford is the best player on their team.
Well, the game is just about to start. I'll tune in here later.
I'll be interested to see what kind of shape Sullinger is in, as he got hurt in OSU's game against Purdue. I suspect he'll be fine. For all the talk about Sullinger though, I think William Buford is the best player on their team.
Well, the game is just about to start. I'll tune in here later.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Truly a "Super Sunday" for Spartan sports
As I posted on Facebook earlier today, "Sweaty palms: check. Racing heart rate: check. Loads of nervous energy: check. Yep, it must be an MSU/UM gameday".
When I woke up this morning, I wasn't thinking about the Super Bowl; I was thinking exclusively about the Spartans' game with the Wolverines. I attempted to think of ways I could both rationalize and live with a fourth straight loss to Michigan, and I came up woefully short. For some time this morning (and yesterday, for that matter) I was considering wimping out and not watching the game. Thinking it was on ESPN, my wussy plan was to not watch the game in real time, but if the Spartans won I'd catch the replay on ESPN3. As it turns out, the game was on CBS and I finally decided to just "man up" and watch the damned game AS IT WAS BEING PLAYED.
As I often do with particularly intense games, I decided to watch in my basement. My underground lair, which more closely resembles the basement on "That '70s Show" than it does any fancy mancave, features lots of room for me to pace and allows me to occasionally yell at the television without scaring my dog or children.
With nerves calmed by a glass of pinot grigio (yes, I know that doesn't sound the least bit manly), I did not utter a single F-bomb the entire game...okay, I may have exclaimed, "You've got to be f***ing kidding me!" on a phantom defensive foul called on Derrick Nix, but for the most part I was well behaved. As it turned out, I really didn't need to get too excited or angry, as the Spartans were in complete control the entire game.
It was a huge win for the Spartans, and the guys exhibited a tremendous amount of passion. Draymond Green was incredible, the bigs (Nix and Payne) were dominant, Appling looked better than he has in several games, and Brandon Wood and Austin Thornton were unsung heroes.
Speaking of Brandon Wood, I just learned that his stepbrother was shot recently, and this has probably greatly affected his play, to say the least. Thankfully, his stepbrother is going to recover, and that may explain why Wood's play greatly improved today. We as fans tend to forget that college athletes are also human beings who have lives outside of the sports they play. We have no idea the pressures and personal difficulties that may adversely affect their performance. These athletes are also students who, in addition to the pressures of intercollegiate athletics, have classes to attend, papers to write, and tests to take. They also have family and romantic situations that may cause them stress. So the next time you wonder why a player from your favorite college team has suddenly seen his (or her) performance suffer, keep in mind that there may lots of extenuating circumstances, off the playing field, that may be the cause.
Let me close by congratulating the MSU women's team on their road victory over UoM. The Spartan women's game started just as the MSU men were polishing off their victory, and the topped off not only a "super Sunday" for Michigan State, but a great weekend. (The Spartan hockey team swept Ohio State on Friday and Saturday).
Congratulations also to former Spartans Greg Jones and Devin Thomas, who now have Super Bowl rings.
When I woke up this morning, I wasn't thinking about the Super Bowl; I was thinking exclusively about the Spartans' game with the Wolverines. I attempted to think of ways I could both rationalize and live with a fourth straight loss to Michigan, and I came up woefully short. For some time this morning (and yesterday, for that matter) I was considering wimping out and not watching the game. Thinking it was on ESPN, my wussy plan was to not watch the game in real time, but if the Spartans won I'd catch the replay on ESPN3. As it turns out, the game was on CBS and I finally decided to just "man up" and watch the damned game AS IT WAS BEING PLAYED.
As I often do with particularly intense games, I decided to watch in my basement. My underground lair, which more closely resembles the basement on "That '70s Show" than it does any fancy mancave, features lots of room for me to pace and allows me to occasionally yell at the television without scaring my dog or children.
With nerves calmed by a glass of pinot grigio (yes, I know that doesn't sound the least bit manly), I did not utter a single F-bomb the entire game...okay, I may have exclaimed, "You've got to be f***ing kidding me!" on a phantom defensive foul called on Derrick Nix, but for the most part I was well behaved. As it turned out, I really didn't need to get too excited or angry, as the Spartans were in complete control the entire game.
It was a huge win for the Spartans, and the guys exhibited a tremendous amount of passion. Draymond Green was incredible, the bigs (Nix and Payne) were dominant, Appling looked better than he has in several games, and Brandon Wood and Austin Thornton were unsung heroes.
Speaking of Brandon Wood, I just learned that his stepbrother was shot recently, and this has probably greatly affected his play, to say the least. Thankfully, his stepbrother is going to recover, and that may explain why Wood's play greatly improved today. We as fans tend to forget that college athletes are also human beings who have lives outside of the sports they play. We have no idea the pressures and personal difficulties that may adversely affect their performance. These athletes are also students who, in addition to the pressures of intercollegiate athletics, have classes to attend, papers to write, and tests to take. They also have family and romantic situations that may cause them stress. So the next time you wonder why a player from your favorite college team has suddenly seen his (or her) performance suffer, keep in mind that there may lots of extenuating circumstances, off the playing field, that may be the cause.
Let me close by congratulating the MSU women's team on their road victory over UoM. The Spartan women's game started just as the MSU men were polishing off their victory, and the topped off not only a "super Sunday" for Michigan State, but a great weekend. (The Spartan hockey team swept Ohio State on Friday and Saturday).
Congratulations also to former Spartans Greg Jones and Devin Thomas, who now have Super Bowl rings.
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, January 20, 2012
The Michigan loss and its aftermath (for yours truly)
I'm still smarting a little bit over the MSU basketball team's heartbreaking one-point loss to Michigan. Three straight losses to Michigan in basketball doesn't set well. Yeah, I know it was a road game and road wins in the Big Ten seem particularly hard to come by for anyone this season.
I, for one, miss the days when beating Michigan in basketball was essentially a given, but it was only a matter of time before the folks down in Ann Arbor figured out this hoops situation and finally put a good, competitive team on the floor. I just hope that the Spartans exact revenge when the Wolverines come to East Lansing, or someone will have to talk me off the ledge.
I, for one, miss the days when beating Michigan in basketball was essentially a given, but it was only a matter of time before the folks down in Ann Arbor figured out this hoops situation and finally put a good, competitive team on the floor. I just hope that the Spartans exact revenge when the Wolverines come to East Lansing, or someone will have to talk me off the ledge.
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