2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

[Psyblast]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

Good job, Yahoo.

[lonewolf371]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

#Nebrasketball leads Purdue at halftime 34 to 25. Shavon Shields had 13 points and 7 rebounds and shot 11 free throws in the first half.

I stopped watching when it was like a billion to nothing. Blowing out IU has made me sufficiently happy this year; I've got too much stuff going on to get too hung up over blowout losses at Nebraska.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

That Michigan-Sparty game was one of the best games overall I've watched this year.

[pietasterp]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

But guys, Payne was playing with a stubbed toe, and their waterboy was hurt in a bad barfight.

I understand why non-MSU fans feel this way, and are sick of hearing about the injuries, but keep in mind that most of the talking about it is being done by national media (ESPN, CBS, B1G network), which can't really be blamed on MSU. Even Izzo has said on multiple occasions that the injuries are what they are and that isn't the driving issue behind the team.

If you read/talk to State fans (at least the ones I know), the general consensus is that the team we have now is the team we'll have 2 weeks from now at the tourney, and whatever injuries we've had, they aren't going to magically come back and be 100% and gel in a week or two (witness: Appling the last 2 games). And the team we have now is just not great; it's solid, not national championship contender level. UM has pretty clearly proven they're decisively better, and the loss to Nebraska was not a fluke. Both teams are good (one is the best in conference), and MSU is just slightly above average at best right now. The sands shift quickly in college basketball, programs can rise-and-fall in a matter of a season or two. It's not new territory.

I remember when MSU was losing in the 2nd round of the NIT and pinning their hopes on the likes of Matt Steigenga, so I still have some appreciation (and slight disbelief) at the decade-plus level of excellence the team has been able to maintain. This year has been sabotaged a bit by major injuries, but that happens. You won't have to keep hearing about it much longer, so why not just enjoy your team's success and don't worry about excuse-making from schools you couldn't care less about? It can all be over quickly, so enjoy it while it lasts.

[SpartyParty11]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

I understand why non-MSU fans feel this way, and are sick of hearing about the injuries, but keep in mind that most of the talking about it is being done by national media (ESPN, CBS, B1G network), which can't really be blamed on MSU. Even Izzo has said on multiple occasions that the injuries are what they are and that isn't the driving issue behind the team.

If you read/talk to State fans (at least the ones I know), the general consensus is that the team we have now is the team we'll have 2 weeks from now at the tourney, and whatever injuries we've had, they aren't going to magically come back and be 100% and gel in a week or two (witness: Appling the last 2 games). And the team we have now is just not great; it's solid, not national championship contender level. UM has pretty clearly proven they're decisively better, and the loss to Nebraska was not a fluke. Both teams are good (one is the best in conference), and MSU is just slightly above average at best right now. The sands shift quickly in college basketball, programs can rise-and-fall in a matter of a season or two. It's not new territory.

I remember when MSU was losing in the 2nd round of the NIT and pinning their hopes on the likes of Matt Steigenga, so I still have some appreciation (and slight disbelief) at the decade-plus level of excellence the team has been able to maintain. This year has been sabotaged a bit by major injuries, but that happens. You won't have to keep hearing about it much longer, so why not just enjoy your team's success and don't worry about excuse-making from schools you couldn't care less about? It can all be over quickly, so enjoy it while it lasts.

I do agree with a lot of what you're saying. I don't agree on how Michigan has proved they are better. Yes they did beat MSU twice, one by freethrows. Michigan is the type of team that can get streaky or just fall flat hard. I think they're a bit one sided this year, unlike last year. They have to rely on Stauskas and if he's off the whole team is off. Levert I believe hasn't matured enough to where he can be the go to guy when Stauskas is shooting cold. Robinson is very inconsistent. Morgan really is only out there for easy rebounds, he can't do much else. (that's where McGary is a big loss). Now I'm waiting to hear from Michigan fans saying "you're a state fan, you have no room to talk about Michigan and know nothing about Michigan." I have watched just as many Michigan games this year as MSU games. Just as every MSU fan does, I want Michigan to lose. So I watch their games.

Michigan State is a barely above average? I don't think so. They're 18-1 when at least 96% healthy, and that's with a tough schedule. I know injuries happen but losing 3 starters around the same time for weeks? That doesn't happen too often. They've lost 2 of their starters for 12 of their 15 conference games. I think MSU is the best team in the Big 10 and I believe that MSU has the best shot at going to the Final Four this year. What I see on the court right now is not the MSU team that beat Texas, Oklahoma and Kentucky. They're playing with no heart and I think Izzo is starting to lose them. Izzo needs to get back to his earlier days of pressing defense, and unselfish plays.

[Psyblast]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

I don't agree on how Michigan has proved they are better.

This is too rich.

[redsrule]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

How has Michigan not proven they are better? They beat you head to head twice.

[l3ulvl]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

How has Michigan not proven they are better? They beat you head to head twice.

Injuries

[SpartyParty11]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

Ok all I'm saying is would Michigan beat the MSU that went 18-1? Would they? Fine, we'll just find out in March. Everyone will probably be shocked that Michigan couldn't even get past the "Average 32" round as I call it and MSU is in the driving lane for a Final Four. We'll just wait. I don't want to point out facts that MSU is known for losing to bad teams in the regular season and still end up in the Final Four. Izzo isn't called "Mr. March" for no reason

You all laugh because the injuries hasn't happened to your team. However, I bet all of you would complain about the same thing if it did.

Injuries

I'd like to see the Miami Heat win games without Bosh, Lebron and Wade. Probably won't happen as much would it? No. That's the same boat MSU's been in for half the year

[redsrule]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

Ok all I'm saying is would Michigan beat the MSU that went 18-1? Would they? Fine, we'll just find out in March. Everyone will probably be shocked that Michigan couldn't even get past the "Average 32" round as I call it and MSU is in the driving lane for a Final Four. We'll just wait. I don't want to point out facts that MSU is known for losing to bad teams in the regular season and still end up in the Final Four. Izzo isn't called "Mr. March" for no reason

The 18-1 Michigan State team was overrated. You looked "dominant" in a grand total of 1 half and that was the first half against Kentucky. Julius Randle almost won that game by himself for UK. They certainly didn't look great losing by 15 at HOME against UNC.

I think Michigan State can beat anyone come March if they are healthy, but they have to get healthy first.

[SpartyParty11]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

The 18-1 Michigan State team was overrated. You looked "dominant" in a grand total of 1 half and that was the first half against Kentucky. Julius Randle almost won that game by himself for UK. They certainly didn't look great losing by 15 at HOME against UNC.

I think Michigan State can beat anyone come March if they are healthy, but they have to get healthy first.

Did they deserve #1? No. But they were easily a top 5 team. The thing is MSU was able to get a big enough lead to hold them off. Kentucky is way more athletic than MSU is, I mean they had the best recruiting class in the nation. No, MSU didn't look too good throughout that UNC loss but that was the start of the injury bug for MSU too. Appling hurt his wrist and went out with a hip pointer that game, and Payne picked up his first of his 2 injuries in that game. I don't think that would have done anything, they played pretty poorly and flat. However, MSU looked pretty dominate against Oklahoma and Texas and those two teams turned out to be very good in the best conference

[Kriech23]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

I can't tell if SpartyParty is serious or not.

[SpartyParty11]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

I can't tell if SpartyParty is serious or not.

Really? Are you serious? What about my comments make you laugh? Was it that I don't believe Michigan is as good as people think they are? Is it that I say the injuries is a factor to MSU losing many games? Uh, Arizona lost their best player and they lost to 2 below average Pac-12 teams. Colorado lost one of their best players and they're continuing to lose games. So you can't say MSU completely sucks, uh obviously they don't. Do I make you laugh when I said MSU dominated Texas and Oklahoma and said both those teams are high quality teams? Hm? I'm curious. What did I say that made you laugh? Was it everything I said? I see others saying similar things about their teams and no one says a thing but when I do and have facts for my opinions, uh oh SpartyParty11 is a complete fool. Thanks guys, appreciate it

[JazzMan]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

Yawn, more MSU talk.

[pietasterp]

Re: 2/17-2/23 Game Thread Discussion

Ok all I'm saying is would Michigan beat the MSU that went 18-1?

No way to know, but the bottom line is we had 2 chances at them and didn't get it done either time. You have to prove it on the court; the final score is the ultimate arbiter.

Everyone will probably be shocked that Michigan couldn't even get past the "Average 32" round as I call it and MSU is in the driving lane for a Final Four. We'll just wait. I don't want to point out facts that MSU is known for losing to bad teams in the regular season and still end up in the Final Four. Izzo isn't called "Mr. March" for no reason

You all laugh because the injuries hasn't happened to your team. However, I bet all of you would complain about the same thing if it did.

I'd like to see the Miami Heat win games without Bosh, Lebron and Wade. Probably won't happen as much would it? No. That's the same boat MSU's been in for half the year

My Spartan cred runs as deep as anyone's, and my shall we say, "distaste" for UM is second-to-none, but the bottom line is that the team we have on the floor on any given game day is the team. Period. The injuries have been unfortunate for us, and in my opinion, will likely cost us a chance at a title, but it's not like that's the first time that's ever happened to a team, it just sucks real bad because it's my team.

The same arguments MSU has going for it in football apply here as well; it doesn't matter what the program has done in the past, all that matters is what's happening now. MSU has proven rather decisively that they're the best football program in the state as of the last several years, and if UM wants to dispute that, they have to prove it on the field. UM basketball has proven they're better than MSU on the court; how many Final Fours and title games we've been to in the past doesn't matter. MSU still has a chance this season to prove they're the marquis program, but there's only one way that can happen at this point. The bottom line is, MSU's pre-season goal (singular: their only goal) is still alive, and if they get there, it won't matter that we lost to our bitter rival twice...but there's no sense in trying to dispute the notion that UM isn't better than us right now.

How has Michigan not proven they are better? They beat you head to head twice.

Pretty much. Painful as it is to admit.

The 18-1 Michigan State team was overrated. You looked "dominant" in a grand total of 1 half and that was the first half against Kentucky. Julius Randle almost won that game by himself for UK. They certainly didn't look great losing by 15 at HOME against UNC.

OK, so in my opinion, ALL pre-season rankings are complete and total BS, in any sport. But I respectfully disagree that the team was overrated; I think full-strength MSU has a legitimate claim at #1, and while healthy, I think they proved it by not losing. Even the UNC loss didn't necessarily sway my opinion, because UNC is just completely incomprehensible this year (they're the Miami Heat against a top-5 team, then the Charlotte Bobcats against anyone else?). Yeah, Randle ate us up in the 2nd half of that game, but the bottom line is that we won.

I think Michigan State can beat anyone come March if they are healthy, but they have to get healthy first.

Operative word being "if". With 2 weeks or so left in the season, I think it's increasingly unlikely that we will ever be 100%. Even if guys can come back and play, being on the court and being where we need to be as individuals and a unit are 2 different things (see: Keith Appling). My opinion is that the team we have right now is the team we'll have for the tourney, and that team just isn't good enough. I'd be really happy to be wrong, though.