MSU looks at MU

[tower912]

Agreed.    I posted earlier that there are a few hundred MU fans who still give a crap.    The basketball world at large?    Meh.  A story at tourney time.   

[Uncle Rico]

Agreed.    I posted earlier that there are a few hundred MU fans who still give a crap.    The basketball world at large?    Meh.  A story at tourney time.

I was at a March Madness party yesterday with some MU grads and I asked them about it and got shoulder shrugs.  I think the Marquette fans still yammering about this are largely on scoop.  You don't even see it from Marquette fans on social media

[hairy worthen]

To be fair, he's not wrong. It's a different team completely.

I'm sure he still has some motivation for revenge even though he wont say it. Had he stayed at MU he wouldn't even be on this team

[WhiteTrash]

I'm sure he still has some motivation for revenge even though he wont say it. Had he stayed at MU he wouldn't even be on this team

Let's hope he and the rest of MSU are looking for motivation beyond getting to the S16. I think Shaka and the players have all the motivation they ever need and Joey ain't one of them.

[brewcity77]

Listened to an MSU podcast today. Tons of takeaways:

• They think we have a gimmicky defense and that pressure and deflections lead to wide open looks if you get past half court.
  
• They don't think Oso presents any real threat because he isn't big enough.
  
• They think their best is as good or better than our best.
  
• They seem to think Shaka's success is largely based on his cool and alliterative name. (Seriously)
  
• They seem to think we're a less disciplined version of Northwestern.
  
• They didn't make predictions, but strongly favored Izzo and seem to think we're likely to lose because we have a long winning streak.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Listened to an MSU podcast today. Tons of takeaways:

• They think we have a gimmicky defense and that pressure and deflections lead to wide open looks if you get past half court.
  
• They don't think Oso presents any real threat because he isn't big enough.
  
• They think their best is as good or better than our best.
  
• They seem to think Shaka's success is largely based on his cool and alliterative name. (Seriously)
  
• They seem to think we're a less disciplined version of Northwestern.
  
• They didn't make predictions, but strongly favored Izzo and seem to think we're likely to lose because we have a long winning streak.

Really astute analysis.

[MUEng92]

Listened to an MSU podcast today. Tons of takeaways:

• They think we have a gimmicky defense and that pressure and deflections lead to wide open looks if you get past half court.
  
• They don't think Oso presents any real threat because he isn't big enough.
  
• They think their best is as good or better than our best.
  
• They seem to think Shaka's success is largely based on his cool and alliterative name. (Seriously)
  
• They seem to think we're a less disciplined version of Northwestern.
  
• They didn't make predictions, but strongly favored Izzo and seem to think we're likely to lose because we have a long winning streak.

Did you get a count of the number of times they said "dude" and "like"?

[IrwinFletcher]

Really astute analysis.

And how is that analysis any different from a Cracked Sidewalks podcast? 

MSU should be confident.  They have good talent and a HOF coach.  Should be a very close game.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

And how is that analysis any different from a Cracked Sidewalks podcast? 

MSU should be confident.  They have good talent and a HOF coach.  Should be a very close game.

You serious, Clark?

[willie warrior]

Listened to an MSU podcast today. Tons of takeaways:

• They think we have a gimmicky defense and that pressure and deflections lead to wide open looks if you get past half court.
  
• They don't think Oso presents any real threat because he isn't big enough.
  
• They think their best is as good or better than our best.
  
• They seem to think Shaka's success is largely based on his cool and alliterative name. (Seriously)
  
• They seem to think we're a less disciplined version of Northwestern.
  
• They didn't make predictions, but strongly favored Izzo and seem to think we're likely to lose because we have a long winning streak.

F#@k Em

[MUfan12]

I don't think our defense is gimmicky, but it's certainly true about getting good looks if you beat the double teams/traps when MU uses them.

[The Sultan]

I don't think our defense is gimmicky, but it's certainly true about getting good looks if you beat the double teams/traps when MU uses them.

I think people who are used to a traditional, Big Ten type defense like Izzo's can look at Marquette's and label it gimmicky. Izzo guards from inside out and wants to limit penetration and good looks. Marquette's defense is about creating deflections, pace and wearing a team down over time.  Yes it is going to give up good looks at times - especially early. But that's not a "gimmick."  It's just a different way to think about defense.

Vermont was getting good shots - until they weren't.  Shaka believes that teams aren't going to be able to keep up for 40 minutes. And so far he's largely been right.

[Goose]

Sultan

I agree on giving up open looks, especially early in the game. It seems that Shaka has made the right adjustments during the game and I expect the same.

I am very happy that our defense looks gimmicky compared to the Big Ten. Obviously another example of doing things the right way.

Feel good about the game?

[The Sultan]

Yes. We are the better team. The only reason I'm concerned is because Izzo is a really good coach. Last year they were also a 7 seed, and gave Duke a good game in the second round. Eventually the better team won, and I am expecting the same today.

[DavidBoone2inchesTaller]

This is the arrogance of the PigPen media talking. I'm sure the Michigan State fan base and basketball team also feel the same.

Anyone associated with the PigPen (teams, media, fans) is going to stick their noses up at teams/fans affiliated with any other conference. They are arrogant bullies.

As a team you have to mentally and physically stand up to all of this arrogance associated with these programs and figuratively punch them in the mouth early in the game. But the key is making sure you are still playing "your own game".

Marquette simply needs to let Sparty know its our time, not theirs. Then, if Marquette stays loose and plays its game it will be fine.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Yes. We are the better team. The only reason I'm concerned is because Izzo is a really good coach. Last year they were also a 7 seed, and gave Duke a good game in the second round. Eventually the better team won, and I am expecting the same today.

MU is better in 4 out of five games with how each team has been playing at the end of the season. But, if there is a handful of coaches who can muck that up it's Izzo. Expect a MSU friendly whistle, bully ball and the crowd working against MU. That said, that hubris can work against a team with MU's fight and grit. Tyler will be keyed on so let's hope the thumb is recovered and that Tyler won't again play frustrated as he will be targeted. 

[The Sultan]

I'm not worried about the crowd one bit. I think if there is one narrative about this game that is completely overstated, this is it.

[Uncle Rico]

MU is better in 4 out of five games with how each team has been playing at the end of the season. But, if there is a handful of coaches who can muck that up it's Izzo. Expect a MSU friendly whistle, bully ball and the crowd working against MU. That said, that hubris can work against a team with MU's fight and grit. Tyler will be keyed on so let's hope the thumb is recovered and that Tyler won't again play frustrated as he will be targeted.

Michigan State plays a lot of dumb basketball

[MU82]

I'm not worried about the crowd one bit. I think if there is one narrative about this game that is completely overstated, this is it.

Totally agree. Regardless of what some are saying, this will not be a home game for Michigan State. The BET game against UConn was far closer to a home game for UConn ... but even that wasn't a "road" game for us, and our guys overcame what little advantage there was for UConn by simply playing better.

Michigan State plays a lot of dumb basketball

Yep. I saw a few of their losses and they just did idiotic things on the court, and their guards tend to get real 1-on-1-ish when things get tight. Won't be surprised if our guys force them into that today.

[tower912]

I agree with this assessment.  If bad Sparty shows up, MU by double digits.   If Izzo March magic shows up, coin flip.

[MU82]

Marquette is ranked 3rd nationally in turnover margin (+5.3).

Sparty is ranked 260th (-1.0).

Our guys will do what Marquette does ... and have a helping hand in getting Sparty to do what Sparty does.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Totally agree. Regardless of what some are saying, this will not be a home game for Michigan State. The BET game against UConn was far closer to a home game for UConn ... but even that wasn't a "road" game for us, and our guys overcame what little advantage there was for UConn by simply playing better.

I don't know the basis of this assessment but I can say with certainty that 80% of the sell out versus USC was cheering for Sparty. Maybe some of that was B1G brethren Purdue and tOSU fans but the NCAA only gave MU 450 tickets for staff, families and the Top 50 STH. Now, MU fans are here in numbers and I noticed a significant uptick in Warriors arriving yesterday, but this will be a road game by any definition. Lansing is a 3.5 hour drive and Detroit is a tad more than 3. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I like that MSU only had a day to prep for us.  Not nearly enough time for them to face Shaka-style.

[MU82]

I don't know the basis of this assessment but I can say with certainty that 80% of the sell out versus USC was cheering for Sparty. Maybe some of that was B1G brethren Purdue and tOSU fans but the NCAA only gave MU 450 tickets for staff, families and the Top 50 STH. Now, MU fans are here in numbers and I noticed a significant uptick in Warriors arriving yesterday, but this will be a road game by any definition. Lansing is a 3.5 hour drive and Detroit is a tad more than 3.

I've been to the Breslin Center for MSU basketball games; it's not Phog or Cameron level wild, but it's not far behind. I seriously doubt today's atmosphere in Nationwide Arena will approach the rabid, pro-Sparty atmosphere at the Breslin Center. Those who will be there can correct me if I turn out to have been wrong about that.

Either way, that's not what will beat Marquette, just as a decidedly pro-UConn crowd didn't beat Marquette last week at MSG.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I've been to the Breslin Center for MSU basketball games; it's not Phog or Cameron level wild, but it's not far behind. I seriously doubt today's atmosphere in Nationwide Arena will approach the rabid, pro-Sparty atmosphere at the Breslin Center. Those who will be there can correct me if I turn out to have been wrong about that.

Either way, that's not what will beat Marquette, just as a decidedly pro-UConn crowd didn't beat Marquette last week at MSG.

Breslin sure has the students and I think they ring the court there, but the MSU Chevy Cavalier alumni are here in big numbers.