Francis Gazette

LIE-VAH

2011-03-11T15:22:00.001-08:00

This blog will be presented, as best I can, in a manner that is honest, but efficient with words, and not crude. In dedication.

Michigan State does not have to win this game. They are in the tournament, as of now. But, don't lose big. Don't lay an egg. Show up and play hard. Keep it to 10 all game.

Lucas will be important. Bigger? The bench. Will Nix move his feet? Will Sherman catch the ball? Will Thornton use his fouls well? Will everyone guard the perimeter? Will every Spartan hit the boards, relentlessly? We will see.

MSU looks FOCUSED early. They look like the have a Swagger. I like it.

TIMEOUT PURDUE!

Lucas doesn't look 100%, but everyone else has a swag, a fire a basketball IQ we haven't seen in a long, long while.

Then Sherman comes in. Then Purdue turns up their hand check 1000%. We shall see.

Since the time they were freshmen, I thought Johnson had, by far, the most upside in this Purdue class. You can't coach length. However, this turnaround he has come up with in his senior year is crazy.

I like the look here. I just described it as MSU Florida 2000. Why? Thornton just got the ball and, with no hesitation, pulled up and hit. That team had no fear and just did what it did. This team looks like it is playing with confidence.

Win or lose, I'm telling you. This team has a different look. The pace is different. Nix is at the line following a nice possession.

21-10 MSU and there is NO DELAY. If there is 1/2 inch of open space, the spartans are shooting. Come out and defend us. If not, hope we miss. We aren't waiting. We are shooting.

And for once, the problem with the whole season? MSU is hitting shots. Hitting a lot of shots.

Kalin Lucas is a straight baller. He just hit a shot clock beater. Love it.

Which brings me to my next point. Draymond Green is a bad, bad free throw shooter. He would average about 2.5 more points per game if he could hit at an average clip.

3 for LUCAS!!

27 -15 MSU!

And now Kebler with a shot. You have got to be a threat if you are on the floor. Nice hit by Kb's.

Jujuan Johnson is a horse. He is absolutely a next level player. Purdue would be down 20 right now w/out him. Who is Moore?

Barlow on Lucas is brilliant by Painter. Lucas isn't mobile. If he were, Lucas would make him look stupid. But, as a much, much bigger defender Barlow is a tough guy to put on Lucas.

And Johnson comes up big again. He is holding this Purdue team in.

AND SO IS KALIN! Lucas is KILLING right now.

I love Keith Appling. He is a baller. He has heart. He has game.

35 -23 MSU.

Timeout.

Well, Haltime and MSU is looking like the team most of us thought we would see all year. Aggressive, strong and .... well ... good.

Part of it is Purdue looking a little slow, as the bye team. But a lot of it is MSU being the aggressor. The Spartans are finding shots early, and without hesitation, pulling the trigger. They are finding gaps and seams and making plays. This team is reacting rather than thinking. For year, upon years, upon years I have said that, to be great, a team must react rather than think. Instinct is the answer.

This team is finally just doing, rather than [over]thinking.

_________________________HALFTIME______________________________

MSU comes out and weathers the Purdue technical call, for now. Ball don't lie.

This is turning around a bit, in terms of fouls, as Purdue gets a few "make-up" calls. Weak, if you will.

And Summers shows his true colors. Running the floor MSU finds Summers on the break in the lane annnnd...it bounces off his ping-pong-paddle hands. I can imagine it would be hard to drive the ball wing ping-pong paddles for hands. Tough to rebound, too.

45 -28 MSU.

Lucas 3 pt play. 48 -30. Ballin.

YES. YES. YES.

Deflection Green [on the shot] and rebound Appling.

Lovc eit.

50 -33 MSU.

Appling at the line. Hit the first. He is money...Count the second.

Johnson gets the ball really, really deep. That is either a bucker or a foul. He gets the foul.

Johnson hits both. Purdue with the full court pressure [hacks defense].

Foul.

MSU keeps afloat.

1 and 1 for Lucas. He gets THE BONUS!

54 -37 MSU.

Appling turns it over but Barlow is a bad, bad shooter. Nice work.

MSU ball 54-37.

Foul MSU, after about 15 Purdue fouls [that weren't called]. 56 - 40 MSU.

After about 25 no call defensive possessions for Purdue we have a timeout. Which is the time I choose to take to pontificate. What if...

Mateen Cleaves was given free rein on defending in the half court.

Travis Walton had free rein in defending men twice his size.

Charlie Bell could defend with free rein in the second half.

No. You didn't hear that.

That is why [*$(&#$]'s don't get "free rein" on defense. So pay attention, my bloody valentine.

I have hated a whole lot of things this year. Coaches. Players. Shots. Shots. Shots.

But this takes the cake. Purdue is in the middle of HACKFEST 2010 but getting called for 1/3 of the fouls they commit.

MSU has to hold on. Justice demands it.

And Delvon Roe draws a foul. What number? His 1st. With 6:39 left. Awesome. Seems totally legit.

60 - 51 MSU after a hoop and a shot. Moore is getting warmed up. But Misses!

Delvon gets both. Money.

Kebler for the layup!

64 - 51 MSU!

Jujuan Johnson has a cramp. Mark it down. MSU wins. Mark it down!

66 -51 is a nice lead, which I would feel not so good about normally. But if Johnson has a cramp...I like it. It is juuuuust enough.

Summers still has some of the softest hands in the b10. So many rebounds/steals/etc end up in D.Summers touches and turnovers. Secure it.

K.Looooooo. Love him. Do it. 70 -53 MSU.

FINAL! MSU Wins and Convincingly!

30 pts for Lucas. Baller. Remember that.

Gameday, Game day

2011-02-19T04:42:00.001-08:00

In honor of the recent valentines holiday comes the "I love you but I don't love you, love you" Gameday, Game day preview.

I love MSU basketball, but I don't love, love this team. To be fair, things appear to be getting better, sort of. The effort against OSU was excellent and it would be interesting to see what would have happened if bucksnorts hadn't taken 23 more free throws than MSU and been whistled for more than 12 total fouls (for the game, 12 (twelve)).

What I like: Lucas is looking much more like the Lucas of old, getting into, and out of, the lane and scoring (21+ per game average over the last 6). Green is playing more of what his game should be; spending most of his time midrange where his mismatch skills are most effective. Payne and Nix looked excellent against OSU, and Sherman showed an ability to use positioning. The defense was solid, although heavily penalized. Even Kebler, Thornton and Roe looked good in their limited time. Roe was obviously very limited.

Has anyone seen D. Summers? If you've seen his body you surely haven't seen his heart. It is missing.

This team seems to be on the cusp of figuring things out. The Roe injury does not help for a team just appearing to come together. There is no room for error. This isn't a team solidly in the tournament that can afford to lose a few games. Unfortunately, at 14-11 with 5 games left, MSU likely needs to win 4 to get in or 3 with a run to the Big10 Tournament championship game. Either way, today's home game is a must get.

Which is interesting because Illinois is in a similar situation. Although at 17-9, Illinois is really underachieving for having so much experience and talent. I feel stronger each year in saying that Weber is a good guy and a pretty good recruiter, but not a great coach. That isn't to say Illinois doesn't jump up from time to time to beat teams it shouldn't. Much to the contrary, they do (Purdue) but then lose to crap teams like Illinois Chicago, Indiana and Penn State.

I predict a close game today if Illinois doesn't shoot 70% from the floor. That seems to be as big a factor this year as anything; teams that shoot well despite the defense applied break the will of this team. By halftime this team will check out mentally if their defensive efforts aren't paying off with stops on the defensive end.

McCamey is a tough matchup without Roe. Davis and Tisdale are agile and can step out to the perimeter as well. Tisdale is more up and down this season than I expected for the 8th year senior (and what about lighty for osu? didn't he play with scoonie penn?).

Lucas has to get in the lane on offense and Summers has to, has to show up. He has to make his defender work on both ends. The bigs will have to help because McCamey is big and strong, far too strong for Appling to guard alone. Closing out defensive stands with rebounds is key against a team like this. Nix and Sherman have to take Tisdale out of the game by being legit threats.

It will remain close, but Lucas wins it down the stretch.

MSU -- 69

iLL -- 66

Reality

2011-02-06T11:15:00.001-08:00

It is pretty easy to pick apart the things that this team does game in, game out. The question is where to start. The answer: the beginning.

This team has a very low basketball IQ. It isn't just that Lucas and Summers are poor leaders; they clearly aren't overly vocal or respected by their teammates. The real problem is this: even if the two were more comfortable with being vocal they wouldn't have a clue what to say. The evidence is abundant.

1. Lucas can't run a fastbreak and his teammates, Summers included, can't run lanes on the break.

2. Lucas continually takes shots from the perimeter with no one on the block. That is problematic for at least two reasons, first that the ball should go inside out and second there is no chance at a rebound not if, but when the shot is missed.

3. When a team can't hit from the floor what should happen? Get to the line. Lucas doe snot do that and apparently does not discourage his teammates from shooting almost exclusively from the perimeter on every possession. If Mateen Cleaves didn't want you to shoot another 3 he would let you know, and you would not do so.

4. Never once has he grabbed a player by the collar jersey and got in their face. Not every good leader has to do that all the time; any good leader would have found 20-30 situations this season which required exactly that kind of fire.

5. You can't lose to the three worst teams in the B10 if you have leadership. This team did, and it doesn't.

I'm really tired of teams hitting every shot they take. Terrible teams and terrible players keep hitting perfectly defended shots. They also hit the wide open shots. But definitely, if the clock is running down and the play is well defended, they are going to hit a leaning bank shot from 38' with their off hand.

What happens when a jumpshot only player can't shoot? He is worth nothing. Let me introduce you to D. Summers. Brick layer.

And, as always, another classy move by Bo and the fighting ncaa tournament laydowners, by shooting another 3 in a 30 point game at the buzzer. Top knotch, Bo. Try winning a game after the sweet16, ever, and we can talk about how great of a coach you are.

MSU v ummmm

2011-01-27T14:52:00.001-08:00

I have a good feeling about tonight. Dismissals, garbage play, two straight losses and too much drama aside, I have a good feeling.

Tonight should be a great evaluation tool and an accurate barometer about the rest of the season. Mostly, how do you respond to serious adversity? Everyone is counting you out and calling you out. How do you answer? One of your friends and teammates was dismissed from the team. How focused are you?

Normally, games against meeesh-again, Northwestern and other "shoot as many 3's as possible and play zone" teams worry me. I don't like that a team can shoot 35 threes against Minny, make 8, and look terrible. Then, within a matter of days, could shoot 35 threes again and get lucky, hitting 15, and hang around in a game they have no business winning. Teams do that to MSU more than anyone. Teams shoot the lights out, over defenders, from halfcourt with the shotclock running out against MSU. For some reason that doesn't bother me tonight.

I like MSU to hit 3's, FINALLY get out on the break, and close the game out at the free throw line. I like Nix to play and play well. I like Green to talk plenty of trash and come up with 10 rebounds. I like Roe to score on the inside, perhaps getting that double double he's been working for. Appling will have a tough and long night. I still like him to play beyond his freshman status and frustrate Hardaway and Morris. I like Sherman to have a big play or two, on both offense AND defense.

Make it:

MSU - 70

umm - 61

MSU poodoo In Game

2011-01-22T19:25:00.001-08:00

I am the first person to lay blame on MSU players. I think that is pretty clear.

Where I have to draw the line is right about -- there. Lucas cannot get a call this year. He just can't. Tonight's game against Purdue is a perfect example. After about 4 non calls for Lucas, and, in fact, a terrible charge call against him, EtWuw'an Moore gets his 4th trip to the line for questionable calls. I mean really, if I'm Izzo, I'm pissed. If I'm me I'm pissed. I'm me, I'm pissed.

This is seriously garbage homer work by the refs. The Green charge is the worst call I've seen this year. Watch it again. And again. It gets worse every time.

Lucas just stole the ball and ran the floor. There was a goal tend. If that went the other way it would have been a goal tend and a foul. Oh, also, if it went the other way it would have included a lion tamer, bearded lady and meadowlark lemon. That's right, the circus and Globetrotters combined couldn't pull this crap off.

Long Cold Winter for Summers

2011-01-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

It isn't really Durrell's fault. What other teams have figured out, and what MSU has failed to compensate for, are Summer's weaknesses.

He can't put the ball on the floor against smaller defenders.

He can't shoot coming off screens.

He can't finish down low with consistency.

He is a spot up, when already squared up, jump shooter.

How do you make that work? Well, last year, specifically in the NCAA tournament, he got no respect. Leave him open and he will hit. Let him get hot and he doesn't need much space. That isn't the case this year. He is on the scouting report. There is a star next to his name. He draws a better than average defender night in, night out.

What next? Well, you get him transition buckets. You get him early offense buckets. You run him off screens. You make the defender cheat over the top and lob the ball backdoor for easy dunks, Mo Pete style. You get the ball inside to make the zone collapse or the man defense double down, then kick back out.

So far this season MSU's little mistakes have snowballed and, more than any other player, have really hurt Summers.

The fast break is not only poor, it is terrible. There is none. When there are numbers MSU finds ways to run it wrong, letting one defender guard 2 (or 3!) people at once, or seeing players over-commit and end up too far under the basket. This doesn't help Summers, who should be excellent on the break.

In fact, the fast break is so poor that the secondary break is often nonexistent. People are so far out of position and things get so muddled up that it takes 10 seconds to get into a set. That doesn't work.

That leaves halfcourt sets to get Summers in the offensive flow. Given his limitations (not great off screens, can't create his own shot), you almost have to play inside out. However, against the zone (and most all the time) MSU has avoided the post. They have also avoided dribble penetration by the guards. That means passing the ball around the perimeter for 20 seconds then running a high screen and roll. That high screen and roll is seriously 60% of the offense.

Against a zone or tight man-to-man you have to penetrate, either off the dribble (dangerous but bigger potential reward) or off the pass (usually with a versatile big man at the high post). Drive, or pass, then kick. That is Summers' recipe for success. Either that or learn to come off screens harder and shoot off the swivel, rather than having to be entirely squared up while catching the pass.

MSU v NW liveblog

2011-01-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

Ok, so its not live-live, but I'll be reacting in almost-real-time, with a slight delay to filter.

NU shoots too many 3's and plays a little too much zone for me to feel comfortable with this win. Shurna should be in better shape for this one, too. BUT...Summers will be looking to do something today, as will Lucas and Lucious. I would expect NU to take it at Appling given all the credit that was heaped on him after the last meeting. It could be a long day for Keith.

I like MSU by 10 at home.

Here. We. Go.

20:00 -- 16:30 Roe is playing great on ball defense. Shurna has been blocked or redirected his shot 3 times in the first 3 minutes. Summers also looks good on defensive switches. MSU still can't run a fastbreak. Payne is looking ACTIVE. Thompson carries the ball badly, and often. It never gets called.

16:30 -- 14:45 Early shots aren't falling for either team, with MSU getting some good looks but missing and NU not really getting any clean shots off. Still 4-0 at the first tv timeout, but don't expect Lucious and Summers to keep missing all day. Payne doesn't have the weight yet to bang, but is right in the mix on rebounds and running the floor really well. Again, at least 2 times so far this game MSU fails to execute on a fastbreak.

14:45 -- 12:30 Bad call on that play as the ball went off a NU players foot under the MSU basket, but after some indecision ball out to NU. Nix with a terrible shot underneath after a good pass from Lucious. Rather than bring it down and go up clean Nix tried a goofy lob-layup. This zone is really making MSU work the shotclock. Lucious finally penetrates and misses, Nix again tries a tip rather than rebounding and going up clean. Things are getting a little sloppy against the zone.

12:30 -- 11:00 NU fouls Appling for a steal, runs out on the break, travels and misses the layup but goaltends to make it a 1 point game. On the other end Summers drives and is whistled for a charge. Great sequence for refs everywhere.

11:00 -- 8:30 Roe is like a blanket on defense, but NU takes the lead on a double back cut. Meanshile MSU has 4 wanna be guards standing around the perimeter ready to fire 3's with only Roe on the block to rebound. It doesn't work if you miss. On the defensive end back to back NU layups for Draymond's man. Lucas throws a lob to Summers that lands in the 14th row. Great idea.

8:30 -- 5:30 MSU looks awful on offense. Stand around the 3 point line and fire 3's is not an offense.* Drive on these guards (appling, lucas, lucious) and get the ball inside where you can abuse this team. The current zone offense is a joke. On defense, guard the shooters and don't bother helping on drives. Make free throws.

5:30 -- 3:45 Payne and Sherman have twice left men alone under the basket on switches (see: no switch). Frank Noname is fouled but makes both free throws. Lucas goes to the other end and plays like an MSU senior** leaving his feet, throwing a pass to no one, and then committing an immediate foul.

3:45 -- :50 NU is up by 7 and turns it over AGAIN against the zone. For the 2000th consecutive season MSU can't do anything against a zone. Roe misses another layup, which I am starting to think is his intention. TERRIBLE CALL ON THORNTON when NU Nobody Norton drops 3 straight elbows but Thornton gets the call. Horrible. After review the refs add an intentional on Nuncio Nothing.

Timeout MSU with 10 seconds. I call a double screen for summers.

After a foul and MSU inbound MSU runs...the double screen for summers. Summers jumps in the air with nothing to do and throws the ball to no one. Looks like the MSU offense overall, with 18 points at the half. One -- Eight. (18)

HALF (mercifully)

Summers, to my knowledge, hasn't scored. He is MIA. If you see him, please return him to the Breslin Student Events Center. Lucas is playing really stupid. The offense is 1 and done; there is no offensive rebounding presence. If you hold a team to 23 in the half you should be up 10-15 points. Instead, MSU played a game of "anything you can screw up we can screw up worse" and put up 18 points. Appling has 1/3 of that on 2 shots. This team is an offensive joke as it 1. can't run a fast break, and 2. can't find any offense against a zone. So, if you play MSU this year and have ever even heard of the work zone, just spring back on defense and fall in to a zone. That's it. You have at least a 50:50 chance of winning. Actually, make that 60:40 if you can hit free throws, because MSU can't do that either.

Second half, IPA in hand, here we go.

20:00 -- 17:30 Make Lucas, miss NU, foul NU, misshandled pass Green, foul Lucas.. It's lamost a palindrome. Green gets lazy on defense and gives up a traditional 3 point play. Green makes up for it on the other end with a rebound and put back. Then, Green baits Mirkovich into his 3rd foul on the other end. Good stretch for Green.

17:30 -- 15:30 Roe forces a turnover on Shurna who can't shake Roe with his bad ankle. FINALLY! A Summers sighting. Tie game! And another NU turnover as a secondary ball handler steps out of bounds. Where is Crawford today? Lucious is out of control and not really contributing positively at all today. Thompson goes by Lucious for a layup and follows it with a pass to the 43rd row (rather than Roe) on the other end. I'm wondering why Lucious is still on the floor. Lucas hits 2 free throws to tie it up 28 all.

15:30 -- 12:40 Roe makes 1 of 2 from the line to take a 1 pt lead. MSU decided to execute a 4-2 advantage fast break. You guessed it, no points and now we are going the other way. This is THE worst executing fast break team in the history of basketball. Its really not even close.

12:40 -- 8:30 Crawford shows up on cue to abuse Thornton. Lucious shows up on cue to throw a terrible lob to...someone...I guess Payne. Crawford is hitting now. Awesome. Back to back plays by Nix and Roe tie it back up. By the way, that is the Roe Izzo expected when he turned down N. Carolina for MSU. LUCAS for 3! This is more like it. Then Thompson hits a long, tough, guarded 3.

This used to look like a good team that showed minutes of sloppiness and stupidity. Now it is a stupid sloppy team that shows minutes of good play from time to time. This team is, honestly, bad.

Nix is a tough matchup 6+ feet from the basket for big men because he can really move his feet. However, inside he really gets jammed up in tight space. MSU will be shooting from here on out, as NU is over the foul limit. You decide if that is good or bad.

8:30 -- 6:00 Crawford is coming alive and really hurting Appling. But LUCAS answers with what we've seen in the past, a drive and finish. It could be important down the stretch that both Summers and Lucas have 3 fouls already, with 8+ minutes to go. Right on command, as I yell at Green "he can't guard you -- go by him!" Green drives and is fouled. He hits both free throws to tie the game again, this time at 44.

Cobb hits a 3 for NU. If you ask "Cobb who?" I'll answer: Carl Cobb. That's my guess at least. It could be Curtis or Curtain for all I know.

Green picks up his 4th foul. That is big. That means Sherman and Nix are going to have to produce on both ends, mostly not giving up easy shots and picking up some rebounds to close out defensive possessions.

6:00 -- 3:30 FINALLY! A great entry pass to Nix from Lucious. Nix even cooperates and catches the pass and makes the shot. Then Nix loses his man, again, on defense. Roe reverts to Roe circa 2 weeks ago by going over the back on a rebound he had no chance at getting. Shurna has one of the ugliest shots in the history of shots. Having to watch it from the free throw line, with no other movement or noise, is disgusting. Mateen Cleaves' jumpshot is museum worthy art in comparison.

3:30 -- 1:40 Roe has really found his place on defense. He just forced a shot clock violation on a big game, a serious change of pace from Shurna. Appling hits a 3 and then gets picked off giving Crawford another layup. Miss by Lucas, BIG rebound by Roe, timeout Izzo.

1:40 -- :25 BAD possession by MSU ending in a BAD shot by Appling. Lucas ends up on Crawford, who again posts up the smaller MSU guard, travels (no call) and banks a fall away. 3 point lead NU. MSU has no offense against this zone. Green isolates out of the timeout and drives, drawing the foul. He has to hit both. 1 up 1 down. The 2nd is good.

:25 -- NU is up 3 w/ Green at the line. It is about stops and scoring quickly. Playing excellent defense all day Roe intentionally fouls, committing only his 2nd of the day. 1 make, 1 miss, rebound MSU! Green gets his own rebound and heads back to the line. 1st one...makes! 11 seconds and we ARE TIED!

TRAVEL NU! MSU ball with 2.7 seconds to go and the whole floor to cover. Just don't throw it away and don't commit an offensive foul. Andddd...missed 3. Overtime.

Green continues to hit free throws. Crawford is crushing MSU right now, and really, is NU's best player. Crawford hit a long 3 off a high screen. Great challenge by Roe but Shurna hits again. NU by 3. Which also means a zone by NU on the other end. MSU misses again.

ROE AGAIN causes a travel in the post. He is so locked in on defense. Appling for 3! Where is summers? Doesn't matter. Appling with 17 pts and a great box out on the other end leading to a Crawford foul. He's got a real chance to be special given his size. MSU often gets good but undersized guards (Lucas, Cleaves, Neitzel) but Appling is longer. He can, with a little more weight, play at the next level as a scoring point guard.

Up 2 and with the ball, Izzo wants a timeout. I don't blame him. You have to get something on this possession. I would go inside and force the defense to collapse, then kick back out. Instead Lucas throws up an early 3. NU rebound.

ROE FORCES ANOTHER AIR BALL! Unreal. Shurna couldn't find an inch of daylight. Air ball, shot clock violation, MSU ball with 10 seconds to go. Just control the ball and hit free throws.

Lucious got the ball and was fouled almost immediately. Misses the 1st. Hits the 2nd. 8 seconds to go. Draymond steps out on the perimeter, pokes at the ball and fouls out of the game. Bad foul by the wrong guy.

Nix rebounds the NU miss and is fouled immediately. He hits a free throw that runs through the rafters, scrapes the banners, and goes in. He misses the 2nd. You decide if it was on purpose.

MSU wins by 4, in OT, and looks terrible for 90% of the game. Thank the IPA for the second half resurgence. As always, the IPA fund is taking donations.

* Unless you are um.

** Dictionary definition of regress.

COME TA PENN STAAATE!

2011-01-08T03:33:00.000-08:00

Basketball preview, Joe Pa edition.

Michigan State travels to Penn State today to play Talor Battle and the Nittany Talor Battles. The only catch is, this season, he has more of a supporting cast. Despite the team actually being much better on paper this year than last, PSU has been mosty abysmal. Although they've lost to some pretty good teams (@Maryland, @ Va Tech, @ Miss, Home to Purdue) you can't lose to Maine at home by 10. The same Maine that has lost to Hartford (the insurance company?) Columbia, Delaware State, Brown and Quinnipiac. That Maine.

The Lions are 8-6 (1-2) and rank, according to ESPN, 239th in points per game, 246th in rebounds per game, 240th in assists per game and 228th in field goal percentage.

Battle is going to shoot, early and often, from near and far. Frazier is averaging about 5 assists per game to only 2 turnovers. Brooks is solid and is probably one of the more versatile players in the conference.

PSU's biggest problem is that Battle is averaging almost 37 minutes per game and Brooks is averaging almost 32. This early in the season you can get away with that. Unfortunately, for them, to burn up your two best players early you would hope to have a decent record. This team had hopes of making the NCAA tournament. I don't see how that happens w/out winning the B10 tournament.

Battle doesn't play a lot of defense (1.6 fouls per game). I think the key to this game is forcing him to play on both ends. MSU got Brooks in foul trouble last February and took him almost entirely out of the game. Beyond Battle and Brooks, PSU big man Jones (6'10" 245lbs) is solid but isn't a real scoring threat outside of 5'. He hasn't attempted a 3 this season and shoots 48% from the charity stripe. He will have a long day with the rotation of Sherman, Nix, Payne and help from Green/Roe. Payne is likely too thin to bang with him, but could really take advantage on the offensive end with far superior athleticism and speed. Nix will see minutes today, lots of minutes.

The real key for PSU could be Jackson (6'7" 210lbs) because of his size. This is the guy Raymar Morgan or Chris Allen would have been guarding. Roe just isn't there yet on perimeter defense and Jackson fits the mold of that tweener size guy that gives MSU fits. He isn't afraid to take a 3 (took 6 against Furman*) and he hits at a decent enough rate that you have to respect it. That worries me. Roe is at his worst on the perimeter, jumping in to jump shooters on pump fakes, arriving too late to challenge and playing matador on a pump fake and drive.

I don't like playing teams like PSU. They have nothing to lose, except a bunch more games, and everything to gain. This is a resume builder for a desperate, very experienced and very undisciplined team. PSU starts and gets significant minutes from 4 seniors. Despite their experience, they take bad shots. They shoot and hit garbage. They play sloppy defense and make poor decisions. They are, somehow, still cocky.

Battle is a tough guy to guard and this is the sort of yawner that MSU typically phones in. I hope Izzo showed them the tape of last year's game that was way too close. I hope Draymond and Payne decide they want to pad the stats today, packing away a few points for lean times (Purdue, Wisconsin). I hope Appling doesn't get hit with cheap fouls (which Battle always draws). I hope Summers doesn't let Brooks get in his head, and Roe and Green play real defense.

Before a prediction, and while I'm talking about him, I have to discuss Green. He is great and I love him for all the reasons everyone else does. He is an enigma. He is smart. He can be a coach on the floor. He is tough to guard. He moves very, very well for his size.

That said, why does everyone ignore his faults? He is constantly out of position on defense. He has the second most turnovers on the team; 2 less than Lucas and 4 more than Lucious. He is the co-captain of the "I haven't considered what you are going to do with this pass once you get it, but It looks tough, so I'm going to try to make it" club. He is reading his own press. He has become a caricature of himself, the guy that makes the unusual play is looking for the most difficult play on the floor to keep that image. He swings for the fences rather than taking the double or triple. Yes, double or triple. He doesn't need to settle for singles because he is that good. But he can't look to make an ESPN highlight reel every time he touches it either. The highlight reel Green should aspire to is in film sessions, for doing the things that Izzo appreciates. Rebound, outlet, defend, be tenacious, be tough, finish. Finish shots, finish possessions and finish games.

The club I mentioned above meets regularly. The motto? I think I saw some daylight between defenders, 25' up the floor, with a teammate on the other end. Better yet? That teammate looks to be Shermanesque (see: ping pong paddles where hands should be) and by the time the pass gets in his area it will be shin high and he'll be in the locker room. Perfect. I think I'll try to make that pass. The result? Two options: 1. it gets intercepted by one of the 3 defenders likely in the area, or 2. the teammate catches the ball and proceeds to step on the endline, charge or travel. It is almost like Lucious and Green think getting the pass there is worth 2 points and they never consider putting their teammates in a position to, you know, actually do something with the ball once they [maybe] catch it. I liken it to throwing a short crossing route to your slot receiver (5'11" 165 lbs) and throwing it 3 feet over his head. You are not thinking about the position you are putting him, and his ribs, in.

Make today closer than it looks on paper:

MSU -- 70

PSU --- 66

*Who** plays Furman, Lehigh, St Joseph, Fairfield***, Central Connecticut, Mt St Mary's, Columbia, Brown, Quinnipiac and Maine? Who plays those teams and has an 8-6 record??

**The answer is Penn State and, usually, Syracuse.

***Fairfield Inn? What, did you post up Rosy and the rest of the cleaning staff?

Capital One Bowl

2010-12-31T06:47:00.000-08:00

Alabama is a 10 point favorite, and has been ever since the matchup was announced. It is strange for a spread to stay constant for that long. Either money isn't moving or the odds makers are very, very confident. I would guess both.

Think about it; both teams are rather hard to figure. Alabama lost 3 games this season, which makes the matchup against an 11-1 team look lopsided. But, those losses came to S.Carolina, LSU and Auburn (the LSU and Auburn losses by a combined 4 points). Ingram didn't play or was limited for half the season. McElroy was limited or hurt in a number of games, including the 1 point loss to Auburn. So, not too shabby.

MSU won a lot of close games, with trick plays and late comebacks, but lost big on the road to Iowa. Iowa is obviously a lot better than their final record looked and MSU was playing through a lot of unknown (but apparent) injuries on both sides of the ball. So...what does anyone really know about either team?

MSU can win this game. They don't need trick plays, or misdirection or big breaks. The game MSU can win is boring and technically beautiful. It comes down to 3 basics: Don't beat yourself (penalties, drops, fumbles), good play calling, and execution. Sounds obvious, but I really think MSU's best chance to win is just playing smart.

The first is one obvious: penalties kill your own drives, extend the opponent's drives, and negate special teams plays. In a game of inches you have to have positives on every possession. That means scoring, obviously, but it can also be as simple as holding the ball as long as possible and changing field possession on EVERY possession. Keep the other teams offense off the field and, if you have to give it back without scoring, pin them deep.

The second is less obvious, and perhaps the most important. Don't out think yourself and don't be predictable. Too often MSU play calling is so obvious I can tell you what the play will be before the snap. That can workout against a team of lesser talent; here's what I'm planning to do now try to stop me. However, 'Bama is not that kind of opponent. In fact, Alabama is bigger and stronger than MSU where it matters. To negate that speed and size playing calling must be nearly perfect. And I don't mean hitting homeruns. I mean calling the play that gets you 5 yards instead of losing 3. I mean the play that allows you to be in a 3rd and short rather than 3rd and 8+. It means having a shot to make a field goal on 4th down rather than being 4-6 yards out of range based on your 1st, 2nd and 3rd down choices. That will be the difference between MSU

winning and losing. And, again, because it is a game of inches, if play calling goes wrong (and Cousins is continually in 3rd and 11) things could go very bad, very quickly.

The third is pretty obvious. Even if the play calling is perfect players have to execute. Blocking has to be perfect, hand offs have to be clean. Shots down field, when they come, have to lead player that find space rather than hanging. Audibles have to be perfect. Kick coverage and punting have to be smart.

If those things come together MSU can win this game. Alabama can run the ball with 2 great, fast and physical backs. Unfortunately, once you sneak up to support the run game Julio Jones is a legit NFL receiver (think Anquan Boldin). McElroy can make the throws. This team can play a very balanced game and also just flat out beat you up for 4 yards a carry up the middle. That sounds scary until you realize MSU strength is linebacking and offensive line. MSU's strength might not be good enough to match up with 'Bama, but I would rather take my chances strength to strength. The secondary still isn't very smart.

Keshawn Martin needs to touch the ball often in space. Kick and punt returns, screens, end arounds, and perhaps from the backfield. He (and maybe fowler) are the only two real 1:1 match-ups MSU can exploit. I also like Baker and Bell at the second level. Look for one big run from Bell.

My guess:

MSU -- 34

Ala -- 31

Economic Rant

2010-12-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know that I have ever agreed more with something I've heard on CNBC (Strategy Sessions) today than this. The guest was David Stockman. He was the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for Reagan (1981-1985) and wrote the first edition of the modern tax code. Obviously it is almost unrecognizable now. Off topic. The point is, our expectations are just plain wrong. When will Obama fix the jobs problem? When will Republicans fix the jobs problem?

They won't. And sadly, no one will.

The problem is our expectations are based on 2003-2007. Why we expect that level of employment, and compensation, when the whole premise was false I will never figure out. Probably the same reason people are scammed by emails offering free money and prizes for something you never entered to win or from someone you've never heard of. Short term gain with little to no work (day trading based on speed rather than fundamentals). Corporate shareholders caring only about the bottom line (quarterly reports and profits above all else, employees and corporate responsibility be damned). Americans are dumb. And they want everything quick and painless. That ain't gonna happen.

No money down, no interest ballooning adjustable rate mortgages...with no documents ("how much do you make?" ---- "Uh, $80,000...yeah $80,000." --- "Ok, sign here!") for homes that are waaay too big, or second (or third) homes leveraged to the hilt and based on overtime from uaw jobs that were obviously paying unsupportable wages.

Its grim. But its true. We are, again, leveraging things back up. Printing money. Unwilling to let these "Bush tax cuts" expire. How are we going to pay for that? What sense does that make? No one wants to pay the price, sacrifice or do the right thing. The markets are, as Mr. Stockman says "daytrader" driven. They fluctuate based on daily moves by government and external influences, not real indicators any competent investor (Buffett anyone?) would consider. Listen to this guy, even if you find him (and the topics) boring.

We have to support the middle class with manufacturing jobs and highly technical (and ever changing and willing to look ahead) industrial and R&D. Until we do that, by investing in universities like MSU, Texas A&M and PSU as well as NASA and providing incentives to actual productivity we are moving closer to catastrophe again.

There are no moral victories

2010-12-02T04:55:00.001-08:00

There are wins and losses. This was a loss.

The sad thing is this very easily could have been an 8-10 point MSU win. No really. Hit some free throws, stop the careless turnovers (over and back with no pressure?!) and don't play Nix. Duke scored about 10 points off Nix alone, and missed scoring about 10 more (he cannot seem to get back to his man on high screens, Duke failed to find wide open players multiple times).

There were a couple of subtle, but VERY important* differences in this game. First, Lucious -- for the most part -- slowed his brain down a little. He only picked up his dribble once that I remember. He only forced a couple of passes to covered players. He finished VERY strong. Korie did all that as the primary ball handler; I would guess K.Lucious played the point at a 2:1 ratio to Lucas.

Second, and finally, this team decided to play to their strength. In the past, pressure defense against the ball handler (and wings trying to run half court sets) was a disaster. Last night Tom Izzo either turned his head or, more likely, gave an explicit green light to make overplaying defenders pay the price. Repeatedly Lucas, Green and most notably Lucious isolated and blew by their defender. I would venture it lead to 15-20 of MSU points. It also backed the defense off some and lead to dukie defensive breakdowns and, ultimately, clean msu looks for long jumpshots.

This is big. This is really big. It adds a wrinkle to the MSU offense that will keep man to man teams at bay (and should open up the half court sets more), and also plays to the MSU strengths with mismatches for Green and Lucas. Zones are a little bit different, but again, you attack a zone at seams by driving and finishing or kicking. Driving, under control and strong, is a good thing to see.

Nix is a disaster. I don't even know where to start. Payne looks like a newborn giraffe with the ball in the open floor. I'm a little concerned about Lucas' new "euro-step" layup, aka traveling. So far it has worked. I just hope it doesn't finally get called at a big moment this season.

I agree with J.Rexrode (LSJ) that Appling could be the difference should these teams meet again this year. He is very, very talented and can also put the ball on the floor. Sherman** was solid most of the game. Roe was mostly a non factor on offense but, along with Thornton, got screwed out of a few free throws on no calls. Roe played well enough and defended well. As a whole the team rebounded great. Duke was, for the most part, one and done. The problems came when Duke's "one" was a made shot, especially the 3's halfway through the second half.

All in all, I wasn't upset. Although it was sloppy and there were still far too many turnovers, when I would look down at the score, we were usually within 4 points. I can't be too upset with that against the supposed "head and shoulders" #1 team in the country at home.

* Important in my mind, which means it is likely not important.
** Pretty solid finishes around the rim. Missed a dime from Green late. Still no break on those hands. He can't catch a pass. Almost all his points came off the bounce, not the pass.

MSU pulls one out

2010-11-25T06:42:00.000-08:00

Well, despite about 35 minutes of terribly sloppy and uninspired play (with the exception of about 3 guys) the Spartans pulled one out. UConn did MSU a favor by knocking off Kentucky (good luck doing that 6-8 weeks from now!) and making the loss a good loss, to the extent that is possible. Maybe I should just call it a loss rather than a bad loss.

Summers did what he needed to do, hit a jump shot. Lucious finished very strong. I like the Lucious that pulls long 3's and is willing to abort the play to go past a guy that is overplaying. Too often, for as long as I can remember at MSU, teams that extended the defense pretty much ended the game. Because the team was so set (or drilled) on running the plays no matter the situation, we would end up running our offense from just inside half court and make dangerous lateral passes because, hey, that is the guy that is supposed to get the ball and that is [roughly] where he is supposed to get it. Forget common sense. Executing the play is more important than scoring. Lucious provides the quickness and ball handling to take advantage of those situations. The next step is: don't make a hero pass or over-penetrate once you get by your defender.

Sherman had a pretty good game, but too often, "same" still limited his rebounding. That is, teammates would be the only competition for a loose ball or rebound, and yet, neither would end up with it because of bad timing and lacking communication. You can't get a stop on defense and knock a rebound loose from a teammate grasp, only to have the other team get another possession. One and done.

Roe had a terrible stat line with no points and 4 rebounds. Setting aside his apparent inability to do anything but go over the back (just watch a game, for every over the back call he gets they let 3 go) Roe didn't get many opportunities inside. The only player we give the ball to on the block is Green. Sherman got 2 looks in the second half, scored on both, and never got another. That is partially because of the extended defense and partially because the plays appear to be run primarily for guards, or at least the primary reads. I cut Roe a break on the bad stats. Maybe that is Nix's real grudge; I play 5 minutes a game, which is bad enough, but I get 2 touches --- if I get 2 rebounds. MSU is at its best getting inside, getting to the line and causing foul problems, kicking inside out, and getting 2nd chance points in the lane. There have been too many long jump shots in this young season.

All things considered, so long as Lucas gets healthy and Summers plays within himself, this team still has all the ability in the world and should be playing for a long, long time.

MSU basketball @ Maui

2010-11-24T15:23:00.001-08:00

Too many problems.

Garrick Sherman has terrible hands. Think of it like a receiver in football; if you get your hands on it you should catch it. Sherman gets his hands on rebounds and loses them. Soft.

Summers has a very low basketball IQ. He is gifted, no doubt, but doesn't not know what to do with the ball. He is out of position. He does not anticipate. He takes bad shots and does basic things wrong, like stepping out of bounds. What is good for Summers is not good for MSU, and vice versa. That is, Summers is a spot up jump shooter, at best. He cannot and should not put it on the floor. However, everyone in the NBA can shoot. He knows that. He needs to be able to score off the bounce to play at the next level. He can't dribble and gets nervous with the ball in 1 on 1 situations. I liken it to someone that can't handle dead air. The person that says something, anything, rather than sit in silence. You can watch the discomfort as they scramble for a topic and then blurt out anything to end the deafening silence. That is Summers with the ball. Uncomfortable, forcing something, anything. Usually turning it over.

Lucious is a nightmare as a point guard. He also is lacking in basketball IQ, however, full of confidence. That means 100 mph in the wrong direction. Terrible passes, charges, early 3's. That is Korie's game. He is a tough matchup, no doubt, but better as a spark plug than an everyday playmaker.

Lucas, Appling and Green are the only players worth a healthy #2 right now.

The whole team is getting out rebounded and shooting free throws like the school for the blind after a trip to Rick's American Cafe.

But then...there are bursts. There are 2,3 and 4 minute spans where they show that potential and just DOMINATE. And then for 37 minutes they suck, badly.

Midterm Election Financing Tidbit

2010-11-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

"It has always been known that the Chamber [of Commerce] was fighting [the health care] plan tooth and nail, but nobody knew just how aggressively until this week, when Bloomberg reported that health insurers gave the Chamber $86.2 million to battle the plan -- a staggering amount."

Well, that seems legit.

24 Hours of Basketball: MSU v S.Carolina

2010-11-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

I haven't looked at the SoCar (same attitude as SoCal, but different) roster yet, but here is my guess: no less than 5 guys between 6'5" and 6'8". Now, you might say, "well yeah!" However, my guess is each one of them is between 190 and 210 lbs. In short, wirey. I expect they will look and play much like the Eastern Michigan player than dropped 33 on MSU last week. That, I'm afraid, could spell trouble.

As I said before, MSU will have trouble guarding the 'tweeners this year. Add in the fact that this team has nothing to lose, coming in unranked and unknown, and considering they will probably shoot at least 40% of their shots from beyond the arc...I just don't like it.

I haven't seen the roster. I'm going to take a quick peak, find some offensive stats from their first game, and come right back.

6'6" 210lb Jr, 6'9" 202lb Fr, 6'9" 210lb Sr, 6'8" 190lb Fr and a few more on the edges of the perameters. Not good. Now for the offense.

Of 66 attempts 16 were from 3. That seems low, but is misleading, since the game was dominated on the interior. In short, there was no need.

I still like MSU, but in a game that gets closer than it should.

Make it:

MSU - 73

SC - 59

MSU Basketball

2010-11-14T16:03:00.001-08:00

This team is as deep and as talented as any team in MSU's history. Yes, I said that. Yes, this includes the teams from 1978-1980 and 1999-2001. I said best depth and talent, not best.

Lucas looks pretty good. He doesn't look as quick, in the open floor, but appears to be faster from the endline (outlet) to the offensive set (3 point range). His shot looks very smooth and he looks very, very smart on the attack. For example: In the same game he got past his man and went up and under (with the foul), got past his man and pulled up for a floater in the middle of the lane, pulled up for a long jumper off the dribble, and hit a three. He's taking what the defense gives, and doing it very well.

Roe looks healthy but not aggressive. I hope he finds a reason to get angry. If healthy he might be a very tough matchup guy for a 3/4. Also, if he improves his footwork, he will have the toughest challenges on defense, including: Jon Leuer (WI), Mike Davis (Ill), Maurice Creek (IN), Diebler/Buford (OSU), and others. The tweeners that used to be guarded by Allen and Morgan will now fall on Roe, Kebler, and sometimes Green. Roe will get the most difficult, the mobile, rangy, and physical.

Green is looking like Green. He blocked a 3 from the point, pick it out of the air and went end to end for a dunk last game. He had plenty of blocks and defended the EMU player with 33 points. That sounds bad, but the guy got a lot of junk calls and shot the ball 28 times. Green blocked at least 3 shots and stayed scrappy.

I still think Summers floats too much. He doesn't have any aggression. He will hit 3 shots and then do nothing for 12 minutes. That can't happen if this team wants to go from good to great.

Adreian Payne is a beast. If he stays 2 years he will be the most athletic player in the big 10. He will be MSU's first top 5 pick since Magic. If he stays 3 years he will have at least 1 triple double.

Keith Appling is a very, very good defender. He moves his feet as well or better than any on the ball defender on this team. I would not be surprised, if he gets enough minutes, for Appling to end the season on the all defensive team. He can also shoot and handle the ball very well. He isn't very tall, but he's strong for a true freshman and seems to like contact. Finally, he explodes. Often a point guard on a breakaway, especially as a freshman in his first game, will take a layup. Don't take a change missing a dunk, don't make coach angry. Not Appling. He can flat out jump. And it happens fast. So on the break he, without hesitation, goes up two handed and throws down with ease. I like this kid. He brings that swagger and athleticism that MSU often misses out on. If he learns to play in the system but keeps that individuality (ability to improvise, smartly and selectively) he could be a very good player by mid season.

Garrick Sherman is looking good. He's a little too robotic, but is rebounding well and finishing consistently. I worry about the same things I saw from Suton; at half court he decides that he is going to do a drop step, spin, ball fake, hook. It looks as if, "situation be damned, this is the move I decided to use. I may have decided last Wednesday."

Nix looks ok, not great. His weight is down and endurance is up. His free throw shooting is much improved, if not on the stat sheet at least to the eye test.

Austin Thornton will play this year. He looks very confident, very comfortable, and is taking great shots. His defense is solid and his rebounding is off the charts. The latter alone will get him 5-6 minutes per game. Situations (fouls, poor play of others, needing a good free throw shooter, teams playing 4 guards or shooting all 3's) will get him 3-4 more. A hot hand could determine if he gets more than 12 minutes per game.

When Kebler is healthy he will get minutes here and there. I would not be surprised to see him get plenty of play in the tougher games, including guarding (at least for 3-4 minutes) McAmey and E'Twan Moore. He is also confident against teams that pressure.

Lucious will get some minutes, make some big plays, but may be the odd man out this season with Appling being more explosive and Thornton/Kebler being longer defensive options. Against full court pressure teams and when/if Appling starts playing like a freshman, then Lucious may get a chance to play a bigger role.

Ianni will be a non factor. He has size (including a gut) but cannot move his feet well enough to get serious minutes except in an emergency.

Gauna will redshirt. There is just too much depth of size to waste him this year.

Unless Byrd heals fast (like, 2 days ago) he will redshirt, too. I wish that weren't the case because another knockdown 3 point shooter would be great for this team, considering Lucas/Appling/Lucious/Draymond's ability to get by their defenders to kick out.

The team is talented enough to be a 1 seed lock. I don't know that they will be, though. Purdue losing Hummel helps the conference title run. However, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Indiana will all be very difficult wins. Only Iowa is a gimme, and Michigan could rise up and win with hot shooting and some favorable calls. Ohio State has a backloaded schedule and will be the deciding factor, since they play MSU only once (at OSU).

MSU Off Week

2010-11-14T15:39:00.001-08:00

They are what I thought they were. This is part "I told you so" and part "ok, so I was wrong about that."

This team is not that good. Not really. The defense especially is problematic. There simply isn't enough depth at corner and safety, and when the D-line had a few injuries, the team really floundered. Northwestern was too close, Iowa wasn't even laughable, and Minny was too close.

The offense is not performing to its ability. I have been vocal, since the first game, about the failings at QB. In fact, the throwing off the back foot issues has been in place all season. It was apparent and frequent as early as ND. Once the defenses got better and the game tapes have revealed the tendencies -- lights out. Iowa had a field day. What does that mean for the rest of the regular season?

Purdue will get plenty of pressure on Cousins. Under pressure (especially on the STUPID play action passes) seems to be when Cousins likes to throw off the back foot and float the ball to the wide side. Even bad DB's can jump that route. A week off could help fix things, but I think Cousins is missing the direction Enos provided (before leaving for CMU).

PSU isn't great in terms of getting pressure on the QB, but the linebackers and db's are better than Purdue. The game is at Happy Valley. It will likely be cold. PSU can run the ball and spread that ball around in space in the passing game. That means, unless the defense forces a few turnovers, Cousins is going to have to make some plays downfield. Screens are going to be limited by the excellent linebackers and the D-line is not over powering but is very disciplined. I like lots of Bell, some 5 wide with Caper, and hopefully some patience from Baker off tackle.

MSU can win both games. MSU should win both games. I do not expect MSU to win both games. In fact, it is a toss up. One would think a win against Purdue and a loss at Happy Valley. I, however, think it is equally likely this team comes out flat after the week off, lets Purdue hang around, and gets caught looking ahead. Then, as things often get strange in the MSU - PSU game, MSU runs wild. Why? Well, Penn State isn't all that good. Jo Pa is not coherent. Motivation is not a problem, considering the PSU thumpings the last two years and the fact that this "land grant" thing comes to a close this year. Finally, MSU needed to get healthy -- mentally and physically -- as much as anything. This bye week was much needed. Before Iowa would have been nice, but alas, you can't always get what you wa-aant.

Make this week:

MSU ---- 27

Purdue - 24

In Game MSU v NU

2010-10-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

The wet field is killing MSU. If it is going to be a little wet, it needs to POUR. The hesitation is obvious. That favors the team that runs more plays on offense. The injuries are mounting for MSU and don't look to be bumps and bruises.

Also, you can't let NW run for 4-5 yards a pop. They can't run the ball. Worthy is out or limited. The corners are weak. The QB run is getting just enough, and given the number of slipped arm tackles by MSU, its a wonder this game is even close.

NW scores again. 17-0 after a missed field goal by MSU.

Missed tackles, injuries, and lack of pressure have exposed this secondary for what it is: overrated. To be fair, with Rucker in and Dennard healthy, this team is a lot better. But, they sure aren't showing it now.

Also, can we stop with the play action? Here's the deal. Play action is effective AFTER you establish the run. MSU hasn't established the run, pass, or that they are a Division 1 team. This is sick.

And don't tell me about "the biggest comeback" story again. That was Drew Stanton. If Drew Stanton was on this team they would be a LEGIT top 5 team in the country. This is not a comeback team. Not like that Stanton team.

17-7.

Finally, a sign of life. Get it to playmakers. Get it to Baker. Get it to Cunningham. Get it to Dell.

You still have to get a stop here before the half. Maybe, just maybe, a pick 6. This defense is due to buckle down and make something happen. The offense made the first move, for the first time this year, now the defense needs to feed off the offense.

Halftime.

Broke open the IPA. Should this work, I'll be taking IPA sponsors for each of the upcoming games. Should really free up my budget (and tongue) to give more analysis.

24-14.

Persa is, well, doing just enough. Missed tackles continue to haunt. The offense needs to move the ball and score. MSU still has to run.

NU Pregame Update

2010-10-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

There were a few problems getting NU's team to load up the dodge caravans for the game. Leaving behind the Dungeons and Dragons/Word of Warcraft online tournament was brutal. I haven't seen a hold like that since last the last 150 starts for Jeff Backus.

This did not help the NU stereotype, enforced by NU Basketball player Kevin

Coble * , and solidified by the NU football player to the left.

Also problematic, the complicated flow chart confiscated from the NU playbook. No wonder 1. the offense can't run the ball, and 2. Persa completes 78% of his passes. There is a box for each possible outcome, including wind, lighting, and temperature. But there isn't an option for "have a bigger, strong line and running back." Can't run a model for that.

* Kevin Coble a/k/a "I would like to forgo my senior season to focus on electrical engineering."

MSU @ Northwestern

2010-10-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

This can't be considered a "trap game" because:

1. NU is 5-1. I know that Iowa is next, but how do you look past a team that is 5-1?

2. MSU beat Illinois last week but didn't look very good doing it. I expect a BIG running day.

3. NU is a decent team. There is no such thing as a trap game when the opposing team is good.

4. Not only is NU good, they are good exactly where MSU hurts; against that nasty short pass.

5. This is MSU first true road game and first trip out of the state. You are wide awake.

The things that bother me are threefold. 1. Rucker would be quite helpful in this game. 2. The season continues to build in terms of the opposing QB. Robinson could run, Scheelhasse could move the pocket and throw, Persa can run a little, move the pocket, and is VERY accurate. 3. MSU has gotten too many breaks thus far.

Cousins has improved over the last three weeks. The penalties have seen some improvement, especially considering that the pass interference call on Dennard was terrible. The special teams continue to be great, including much improved kickoff distance. The pass rush has gotten much better. It will have to improve yet again this weekend if they intend to hit Basanez, I mean CJ Bacher, err, rather Dan Persa. Different QB, same result. 4.5 million passing attempts and 78% completion rate. Also, not many sacks. He gets the ball out quickly. Pretty amazing. But, given that NU can only run for about 2.2 yards per carry, I guess you do what you can. Also, I don't see that 2.2 getting much higher this weekend. NU hasn't really played anyone as good as MSU against the run yet.

NU's defense is underrated, too. The db's are pretty solid and can make a play. The scheme is good. The lines, if nothing else, are smart. Pat Fitzgerald is a good recruiter and appears to be a pretty good coach. I just don't get it though. He's a tough guy. A run the ball, smack somebody in the mouth, hard hitter. But he runs this little ticky tack offense that just won't work consistently enough to win more than 7 games per year. That's pretty good, but at some point, you have to have more balance.

I like MSU in this game so long as there is discipline. The penalties, missed assignments and missed tackles have to be limited. The QB can't run all over the place, especially on 3rd down. The defense has to get off the field. Last, MSU has to get back to running the ball, taking care of the ball, and looking to put up at least 3 points every time they touch it.

Make it:

MSU -- 34

NU -- 27

Hoops 2010

2010-10-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

The B10, notwithstanding the loss of Hummel, is going to be great to watch this year.

Everyone is talking about MSU. Everyone is still confident Purdue will be good, though not as good as 2 weeks ago. Everyone is certain Thad Matta has set up enough rental players to beat some good teams.

Few people are talking about Illinois, perhaps the most realistic challenger for the conference title. Even fewer are talking about Wisconsin, a team that usually just finds a way. Almost no one is talking about Indiana. Don't sleep on Indiana. They are going to be very, very good over the next 2 seasons. Minny and NWstrn can win games, especially MN.

No one is talking about Michigan, Penn State or Iowa. That's probably fair.

The point is, from top to bottom,* this league is good. Very, very good.

MSU will win [at least a share of] the big ten and make the elite 8 IF they stay healthy and find a solid rotation early. They will not finish the season in the top 5, will not get a #1 seed, and will not always look great. By the end of the season this team will gain speed and depth on the perimeter, as the younger guards gain experience. The bigs? They will be solid all year. In fact, I can't remember more depth from the 3-5 positions, well, ever for MSU. In fact, off the top of my head I can't think of a team in the country with better post depth this season.

By the way, Izzo is the president of the NABC, and is not in favor of the proposed rule changes ending July recruiting. In essence, it would empower runners and agents because, lets face it, people are going to be out there on behalf of schools recruiting anyways. Guess who is in favor of it? Calipari! Hey! Who wudda thought?!

*By bottom I mean the 8th team. psu, michigan and iowa are going to be horrid. Again.

market news

2010-10-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

"Look, you could take all the gold that's ever been mined, and it would fill a cube 67 feet in each direction. For what that's worth at current gold prices, you could buy all -- not some -- all of the farmland in the United States. Plus, you could buy 10 Exxon Mobils, plus have $1 trillion of walking-around money. Or you could have a big cube of metal. Which would you take? Which is going to produce more value?"

Warren Buffett

HOMECOMING

2010-10-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

After being so far from home for so long* MSU is finally back in East Lansing for Homecoming, looking to go 7-0 for the first time in a long, long time.

Illinois and the Zooklanders are coming in with nothing to lose**and plenty of talent. Illinois certainly better without juice williams at QB. They are better at RB, better on the offensive line, and better on defense. This team is not a joke.*** It has yet to be proven if Zook can coach, but he can recruit. Ask Urban Meyer.

I still like MSU to win. I still like the team to focus on this week's game rather than look ahead. This is a classic "trap game," in terms of the place on the schedule and the recent big wins. However, since I decided it was a trap game on Monday I've proceeded to read from no less than 15 sources that MSU will lose this week because this is a trap game. I don't think, if they should lose, it will be for overlooking Illinois. Honestly, the idiot Rucker, lack of a pass rush (still) and Cousins mistakes will be the reason. This team still has holes. Big holes. Holes that a team like Iowa or Ohio State would expose, and holes that a team like Illinois could exploit in a good day. I don't like a qb that is pretty mobile AND can make some passes. That describes Scheelhaase to a T. Guys that move the pocket put pressure on corners to cover for longer, and put pressure on linebackers to be disciplined (and not help in coverage). I don't like that either.

Rucker is a real moron. He was on probation, had a second chance, was playing quite well, and pissed it all away. He is likely done. I don't know how Dantonio could bring him back. That hurts. He was BY FAR the best cover corner, best blizter off the corner, and little known fact --- third leading tackler on the team. That means he was good in run support. Will his replacement be good eventually? For sure, probably better. However, D.Dennard is a freshman. He will get picked on, be out of position, and is likely good for at least one penalty and one blown cover for a big play.

Make it:

MSU - 31
Illinois - 21

*trips to Detroit and annarbor in the first 6 weeks make homecoming so special
**technically they could lose the game, a head coaching job, and for the 12th time in 14 meetings
***yes they are

MSU ummm wrapup

2010-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

What a week, and what a win. The defense did enough and the offense was efficient. The Spartans, honestly, dominated. Denard could have 6-7 yards on first down (with a QB run off tackle) between the 30's, but inside the 30...nada. The defense was SOLID. There should have been at least one more interception. Denard cannot throw the ball with accuracy consistently. When he did, there were drops (bad drops).

I'll also give Kirk some credit. He made some big plays and was accurate. However, he threw off his back foot rolling out of pressure too often for comfort. That sort of thing will get you in trouble against a real division one defense, like, say, Iowa. And you can bet the pressure will be MUCH tougher from the front four against Iowa. I don't like that. Also, Cousins picked apart (on long plays, mostly) a defense that is simply a joke. That they are worse than MSU's secondary should tell you something.

The running game remains excellent, especially the play calling. When you see a misdirection play -- or any running play -- go for 50+ yards you have to assume 3 things. A good back, good block, and a GREAT play call. You may be able to replace one of the three with bad tackling. In most cases it has been a good play call, decent blocking, and strong running.

The kicking game has been very good but largely untested. I still don't know what to think about a 40+ yard field goal in a pressure situation. I love our punting, punt coverage, and punt returns. I also like our discipline in the last few weeks with penalties. The team will have to stay penalty free the next few weeks against teams like Illinios, Northwestern, and Iowa. The first two don't need any favors to stay on the field on offense, the last team just plain doesn't need any help.

MSU ummm weekend

2010-10-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

In state rivals preview: Don't believe the hype edition. Aka "a mili" reasons to take the under.

Denard Robinson is a really, really fast running back. He looks even faster, even more elusive, even more unstoppable when playing an undersized and overhyped uCONNartist, notre so gooda*, UMASSive distraction from basketball, bowlingMacNcheese, and Indiana. IU is, by far, the best team umm has played this year. Lil' Wayne and Desmond Howard are still proud of their offspring.

ummm has been outgained (total offensive yardage) by two opponents and has given up: 343, 535, 439, 283, and 568 yards on defense. The 283 (to Bowling Green) looks good, until you realize that BGSU was held to 176 total yards the following week against mighty Buffalo. In other words, Michigan's defense sucks. Bad. Sieves are sending the umm defense thank you's.

But you all know that. We also know that D.Robinson is quick, fast and is susceptible to kryptonite.** Not only does he not put his pants on one leg at a time, he doesn't wear pants. He won the 2011 Heisman last week by -- surprise -- running the ball a LOT against Indiana. He also threw the ball a lot, which, in all fairness and sarcasm, is also very difficult against IU.

Is Denard the best player in the country thus far? Absolutely. I guess my point it this: he cannot maintain this level of play on his own. He can't continue running the ball this often with their backloaded schedule. He cannot continue to be that efficient a passer because, well, he's not a passer. He is a running back that has thrown all over a bunch of crap defenses loading up the box. It just isn't realistic to think he can continue to pile up these nasty stats. 1. The defenses get much, much better. 2. He will get hurt and/or tired. 3. Statistics bear out that turnovers become more and more likely with each game, each series, each down. He can't remain this flawless. Tebow had a LOT of talent around him that had to be respected. The defense was also very good. Finally, check Michael Vick's stock if you don't believe me. Flying high, everyone on the bus. Bruised ribs, out 3 weeks, "told you he couldn't last." FREEP asks "can MSU make Denard Look Human?" I say, he is bound to look human very, very soon. Vegas won't even take that money.

MSU still has a crap secondary. Also, if I hear one more time that the MSU defense held Wisconsin's Clay "in check" I might puke. Clay was hurt. It was obvious he could not cut. The shifty, faster, younger White ripped MSU up once he got past the line of scrimmage. That will be more telling than the performance against Clay, I'm afraid. Speed kills, especially for teams that aren't in position or have to over-commit to the pass. The only saving grace is umm's offensive line is NOT anywhere near as good as Wisconsin's. Also, what has hurt the MSU DE's so far will help in this game (if reined in). Speed and pursuit up field will pay off if it is turned in to lateral movement. That is, use that speed to get outside blocks and contain, use the LB's to fill gaps up the middle. Make him throw. If he runs, hit him. If he runs and pitches, hit him. If he rolls out to throw, hit him.

MSU is still getting suspect play from their QB. Cousins is not playing anywhere near the level I expected. He takes bad, bad sacks. Then he does the opposite, forcing terrible throws. I just don't get it.

In all fairness, ummm's matchups this year have been especially bad for this defense. Their competition is shifty, spreads it around, the throw, throws, throws the ball. That puts ummm's db's under pressure. Their db's are, well, in prison, on other college rosters, in the canadian football league, or in their 3rd practice after learning about walk on tryouts during chem lab. They. Are. Bad. How bad? They WISH they had Jaren Hayes.

That is exactly why I am worried. What do they have to lose? Blitz. Guess. Overplay. Hand check. Take chances. I mean, what is your other option, play straight up and get beat anyways?

MSU's running game needs to be strong with the ball. The play calling has to be solid, on both sides of the ball, but not overly cute. The receivers HAVE to hold on to the ball. The kicking game (punting, coverage, and field goals) has to be neutral (do not be the hero or the goat). Finally, the penalties cannot be umm's 12th man. Keep the penalties to a minimum.

My odds predictions. UM misses at least one field goal or extra point that it should make. Ghoulston makes a big play. Nichol makes a key play. ummm's defense is not as bad as usual. Rucker gets a big, big hit on Robinson off a corner blitz.

Make it:

MSU - 35

UM - 28

*Especially without the starting QB for 1/2 the game. Michigan owes the Montana kid****a big, big thank you.

**Is kryptonite Green?*** Yes, in fact, it is.

***Does a blind man fart in the dark?

** **Not hannah, but close.

In Game

2010-10-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Cousins continues to look like a walk on that made the team last week. And played his first game of football the week before. And learned English 2 weeks prior. That bad. In fact, had the PUNTER not thrown a beautiful pass against ND there would be a QB controversy with anything with 2 arms.

The defense, through 1.25 quarters, has been very good. Too many long runs on first down, but given that there have been 2 turnovers (on giving up short field) you can't be too upset.

Bell is full grown. He is strong, patient, and certainly not looking like a freshman.

GREG JONES almost took that handoff. He was in the backfield on 3rd and 3 in time to take the bobbled hand off. Punt Wisconsin, followed by an important question...

WHY DO YOU EVER PUNT TO KESHAWN MARTIN?!

Why? Ever?

Returned 74 yards. TD.

Defense and Special Teams dragging Cousins and company through this game. Hand it off. Do it again. Take care of the ball.

I agree with the call to go for it on 4th and 1/2. I do not agree going up the middle. Use Bell's strength AND speed to get outside.

Love the use of the tight ends. Finally.

AND TD to a Tight End!!!

If you wondered about the size and our existence of Treadwell's, well, shopping bags, they are alive and well. 4th down and 1, 3 point lead, you THROW?! With a QB that has 2 (should be 3) picks already?! With 1 (one) (won) real receiving option*?! Yes, alive. And they may secede from the Union, they are that large.

Finally, I hope Jones is ok. His arm was hanging late.

Bret Bielema is arrogant as ever. Perhaps when the University of Denard Robinson fires dick rod they can hire bret.

Post Game Show: Retire them

Will Tieman just said "Gus...tell me about this play..." as he was talking to Don Treadwell. Please, please, for the love of God, retire Will Tieman and Gus Ganakis, from both Basketball and Football.**

*Cunningham was the only route. If he doesn't get a release, there is nothing for Cousins to do with the ball.
**Gus doesn't do football.***
***Gus barely does basketball. Using the word barely is doing him a favor.

MSU v wisky

2010-09-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

I really do not have a lot to say about last week's game against northern colorado. First, I didn't see it. Second, it was like a scrimmage against a pretty good high school team. Really, it is a joke to charge fans full price for these games and equally a joke to include the results in any ranking. I also don't really care for playing games like this leading in to more serious play. I don't buy the confidence builder argument, either. The only upside I see is getting healthy. MSU wasn't really hurting.

But here we are. Wisconsin comes to town this weekend for a matchup of unbeatens. The teams both also happen to be unproven, struggling at times against lesser talent and beating up on cupcakes (70-3? Really?).

I maintain that Wisconsin is not flashy nor terribly impressive in any one facet of the game. However, as ND showed against MSU, it is all about matchups. Style, goals, and talent matchups. Unfortunately, although not flashy, Wisconsin is a more solid version of MSU, at least where it matters: in the trenches.

I like MSU's receivers, running backs, and tight ends better. Honestly, I don't think Tolzien is that much better than Cousins. I do recognize that Cousins has not played very well this season, and certainly not under pressure. I like MSU punting and kick returning better, and I like MSU's linebacking group better. Wisconsin wins every other matchup. The OLine, Dline, kicking, and secondary are all better for the badgers. The Oline and Dline talent gap, especially the gap between UW's Oline and MSU's Dline* is significant.

That said, with any improvement in the MSU secondary, I like MSU's chances in this game. I think a fast start in scoring by both team will fall in to a run the ball, time of possession, field position game decided by special teams. Punt returns, kick returns, and punting will make the difference. Although, if MSU has 11 penalties again this won't even be close.

my best:

MSU - 31
UW - 27

*with the exception of Jerel Worthy. He will play on Sundays. I would almost bet he plays on Sundays next season. The only reason he doesn't look more dominant is the lack of pass rush from everyone else.

Rumored Heart Attack

2010-09-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Pseudo news all over Twitter about a Dantonio Hearth Attack. News conference scheduled for 1:00 pm today. Lets hope for the best.

Preliminary Reaction

2010-09-19T08:02:00.001-07:00

In hindsight, obviously, the decision is not that difficult. Think about it.

The kicker is young. It's a 46 yard kick. The best possible result? Another OT.

The most important factor? You've already held ND to a field goal. The defense is not likely to do it again. The offense looks worse with each passing second. The QB is, to put it kindly, doing everything wrong. The line isn't giving him any time and the play calling is atrocious. In the next OT MSU has the ball first, giving Kelly the same benefit of knowing whether he needs a TD or just a field goal. As a coach what would you do? I think, although your odds are only about 25%* of completing the fake, you might only have a 25% chance of winning in another OT. That may be generous.

So, again with the benefit of hindsight, the call wasn't that ballsy. In fact, it may have been the logical thing to do.

*based on zero research, analysis, or expertise

Spartans & the Irish

2010-09-17T09:41:00.001-07:00

Let's just be honest. We don't know anything about MSU.

Let's continue with the honesty. We won't know much more after tomorrow night.

MSU has run about 30% of the playbook so far. The game plan has been run, run, and run. Pass on 3rd down. Take a shot down field every other possession. Punt. Kick. Run. The defense get little to no pressure from the front 4, can't seem to contain, and continues to drop interceptions (at least 3 against Western). However, again, that is all out of the base defense with vanilla looks and, with the exception of Rucker on a couple of corner blitzes, no extra pressure to speak of.

And after Notre Dame leaves town? We'll know a little bit more about Cousins, the receivers, and perhaps this 3-4 defense. I would expect to see some of the 3-4 against this spread. It should tell us a little more about how the defense will look against michigan and Northwestern. Other than that? Notre Dame is atypical and, honestly, not that impressive. Kelly will change that by next season and the weaker than normal schedule this year will be deceptive. But this team is a year away from making noise.

I don't even know what to say about Crist's "migraine." The migraine that was not a concussion. The migraine that cause blurred vision, memory loss, incoherence, and came after a hit to the head. Why would anyone think it was a concussion? I wonder, if ND was handling um rather than looking like William & Mary (minus William), my guess is Crist isn't even playing this week. But, magically, he was back in the second half. Maybe it really wasn't a concussion. I'm sure that's the sort of the thing you figure out at halftime.

I like ND's talent positions, with Floyd, Rudolph, and Allen. Crist, when coherent, was by far the best signal caller. Nate Montana was, well, less than impressive. Either um's defense is A LOT better than they should be (somehow doubt it) or ND's offense is underachieving. The defense probably did a good job of keeping Robinson to 2200 yards for the game. Pryor (OSU) took, and takes, all sorts of crap for being a running back that sometimes throws the ball. Robinson had more carries last game than any other Michigan running back has for the season. That is difficult to plan for and even more difficult to stop on the fly. What would I do? Treat him as a running back. Assume he will run on every play. The corners are going to give up plays anyways. Gamble some. Hit him. Hit him again. Hit him hard. Bring corners, safeties, linebackers, bring everyone. Hit him on the option. Hit him when he runs. Hit him when he throws. Then hit Gardner. Then, if he's moved up to the 3rd spot on the depth chart, hit Lil Man tate until his dad feels it.

The MSU defense could be physical, especially Worthy and Ghoulston. I like Worthy in this week's game to get at least 1 sack. I also like the defense to FINALLY make a play on a ball, jump a route, and return one for a score.

Make it:

MSU - 38
ND - 26

Dream Job

2010-09-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

I want to be the guy that sets the manufacturer's suggested retail price ("MSRP"). Think about it. Setting it goes something like this:

ME: What do you want to sell the item for?

CFO: $AAA.BB

ME: Ok. Is this product a really good deal, a good deal, or an overrated brand name?

CFO: good deal.

ME: Ok. I'll crunch some numbers.

4 seconds and 1 calculation later...

ME: the MSRP is ($AAA.BB) X (1.5)

CFO: what if it is a really good deal?

ME: ($AAA.BB) X (2)

CFO: what if it is an overrated name brand?

ME: those aren't manufactured, they're crafted

A Day in the D

2010-09-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

If the rain holds off, it could be a great, great day.

If the rain comes, it could be a great afternoon and the casino determines the greatness of the night.

Tomorrow we leave town at 8am for our annual MSU road trip. To Ford Field. To see a game against Florida Atlantic. It has been covered ad nauseum in the Detroit media, so I won't go in to it.

The last time I saw Florida Atlantic play was at Spartan Stadium. It rained. It rained a lot. The tailgate was miserable and the game was worse. It rained so hard the water ran down the stairs in small rivers, cascading over each step and washing away all the joy and happiness of a fall Saturday.

Tomorrow the game is indoors, thankfully. Of course the 7:05 Tigers game is just in time for a 7:30 pm thunderstorm (60% chance).

Florida Atlantic is 1-0 after beating UAB 32-31 last weekend. Florida Atlantic threw for 254 yards and ran for 93, but threw the ball 24 times and ran 28. The running game is either terrible, or UAB's defensive front is great. I am leaning towards the former.

The good news? UAB ran up 424 yards of offense with 345 rushing yards (47 rushing attempts!). Caper, Baker, and Bell must be salivating just thinking about the field turf and that defense. With only 79 passing yards (19 attempts) I have to guess UAB is not a great passing team. It will be interesting to see if it was partly FAU's secondary and how MSU decides to attack it.

I am also anxious to see how the kicking game looks on the turf. The real excitement will come from watching the athletic tight ends fully utilized (if the FAU secondary is that good) and Keshawn Martin on the carpet. He could be scary. FAU has a good punting game.

Greg Jones and company should be even more effective on the turf, and I expect the interception drought to not only end, but end in a pick 6. FAU QB Van Camp spread the ball around to 6 different players last week, but only one player had more than 1 catch. That player was Lester Jean, who finished with 9 catches for 164 yards and 2 TD's. He is a big target at 6'3" 195lbs, but will be getting plenty of attention, you can be sure.

MSU is just too deep at receiver, running back, and tight end to not score frequently. The defense will be tested by a team that
Make it:

MSU - 41
FAU - 24

League Preview

2010-08-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

I can't recall a season when I knew less about each B10 team than this year. Juice is gone. Kafka is gone. Clark is gone. Michigan's secondary is gone, to the extent it ever existed.

Nor can I remember a B10 season with more close and bizarre finishes than last year. Teams like Indiana, MSU, and Purdue can attest to the fact that 10 plays or less can swing a season 5 games one way or the other. There isn't a lot of room for error.

With that said, here is my best, errors and all.

Illinois - Alphabetically speaking, Illinois is first. (how many leagues can say their first team alpha wise starts with I or later in the alphabet?*) I have no idea what Illinois, or Zook, can pull off this year. I can tell you that if Zookie doesn't win some games AND win a bowl game, he's gone. Illinois does not have many seniors, but offensively, there is experience at key positions. That would not include QB. I see a .500 season for Illinois with a late push for a bowl game. The early and mid schedule looks like murderers row. Especially the run of hosting OSU, followed by at Penn State and at MSU, then back home for a game with sleeper Indiana. I see 6-6 and a potential bowl bid. I see a Zookless 2011.

Indiana - I am glad IU is off the MSU schedule. The IU defense is not very good, and the running game is just ehh, but the passing game is scary. Indiana will put up a few points this year and, given some luck, could win 8 games. Indiana lost all the close ones last year but should take advantage of that pain as they return a lot of starters. The team is especially experienced in the defensive secondary, with a half dozen senior corners, linebackers, and safeties. Prediction: the stadium will not come anywhere near selling out until mid season. However, the cupcake non conference and somewhat favorable early B10 schedule could allow them to build momentum and steal a big conference win. 7-5 and a bowl loss.

Iowa - Stanzi is pretty impressive, but it will be interesting to see what happens with a little RB trouble and his favorite safety valve, TE Moeaki, gone. There is plenty of depth at RB but it could take a minute to sort out. There is experience at WR as well, so Stanzi should improve again this year. The defense was great last year and should be stout again this year, especially if the running game can run up the time of possession. 7-5 with some very close losses, plus a bowl game win.

Michigan - Michigan, Michigan, Michigan. I'm almost sad that little richard won't be around next year. Michigan's defense will be horrendous. Graham is gone. Good luck replacing him. The defensive secondary is gone, literally. Attrition, early outs, injuries, and felonies have hit the secondary hard. As soon as the man defense gets burned deep they will go zone. Then teams will pound the ball for more rushing yards than Bo gave up in a decade. The semi good news is the offense should be a lot better. Robinson will get most of the PT under center (or more likely out of the gun) early. He is considering tying his shoes this year, too. We'll watch for updates. The offense will be sporadic, appearing to be unstoppable at times, and then imploding without reason. Time of possession will appear manic from game to game, with balanced offensive teams dominating a Michigan team playing constant catch up. The schedule is brutal and will likely result in a 0-2 start, a mid season glimmer of hope for bowl eligibility, and a crushing defeat by OSU to deny any hope of a little caesars bowl game appearance. 5-7 finish. Bowl = No. Violations = Yes. Recruiting = screwed. Richard = packing.

Michigan State - In case you haven't heard: the 2009 season was a disappointment, there was a fight at a frat party, and the 2010 schedule is so easy MSU should win a national championship. Sports writers get paid to have original thoughts, from what I'm told. MSU will be improved in the secondary, significantly, but still not as good as I expect to see next season. The real talent at corner is young and the team still lacks a good safety, let alone depth at safety. The pass rush was actually pretty good last season but the secondary will benefit even more from a better pass rush this year. There are 1.5 billion quality linebackers, and 2.5 billion linebacker recruits in the pipeline. The pass rush should be improved and benefit from the new scheme (mixed use of the 3-4). There is nothing for opposing offenses to scout, yet. MSU does not leave the state until October 23, and even then its only a trip to the SAT center of the universe in greater Chicago. Penn State and Iowa on the road are the biggest road challenges and are not even in consecutive weeks. ND will be better this year, but its a night home game on national tv with a young ND QB. The tight losses will be flipped to tight wins if the kicking game gets sorted out. This team has a real shot at being 7-0 before playing a road game (which I predict could be followed by 2 quick losses). 9-3 with a bowl win over the soon to be newest B10 member, Nebraska, on New Year's Day.**

Minnesota - Minnesota is not a good team. In 2009 they couldn't run or pass the ball consistently, partly because of injuries but mostly because, well, beyond a few starters there wasn't a whole lot of talent. The early schedule is soft and could allow MN to sort things out, get rolling, and find some talent on that roster. Overall the team is very young, but the secondary should be a strength. Weber is solid, when healthy, and usually makes good decisions in the red zone. Finish: 5-7 with no real shot at a bowl game already evident by late October.

Northwestern - I really don't know what to think about NW. I would like to say, despite not having a running game at all, the passing game is at least solid. But Kafka is gone. Besides being their accurate and prolific passer and captain, he was the second leading rusher. Ouch. The schedule is not particularly easy and includes a couple of road games early (who goes TO Rice?) The defense was pretty good in 2009 and should be at least as good in 2010. So much depends on the offense for NW , and as a result, the QB. With that in question until proven otherwise, I see this as a rebuilding year with about 4 games up in the air. Finish: 5-7.

Ohio State - I recently heard the OSU defensive line coach say he thought this might be the best defensive front in OSU's history. That does not bode well for the B10, unless, of course, you are MSU or NW. The non-conference schedule is so so, with a somewhat improved Miami (in Columbus) and a team in name (Marshall) if not talent. Marshall didn't win a game of note last year and will actually be worse this year. Two games stand out to me for OSU in what could honestly be a national championship appearance: a 7pm kickoff in mid October at Wisconsin and Nov 20 at Iowa, kick TBD (I would guess they push for a 7pm kickoff). Also, notwithstanding the criticism of Minny above, the October 30 7pm kickoff at Minnesota is a trap game. Pryor still hasn't proven that he can be accurate for an entire game when the secondary is experienced, and OSU plays a close game every year with a far inferior team. Plus, the game comes the week before a stretch that goes Penn State, @ Iowa, Michigan. Push comes to shove? I can't pick a B10 team to beat OSU this year. Not one.*** Prediction: 12-0 + a bowl win = a national championship.****

Penn State - Clark is gone but Royster's back. There are questions at QB but also a lot of talent. The solid running game and defense will make the QB less important this year than next, when both are significantly weaker. At Alabama in week 2 is a tough, tough start for a new QB. Youngstown State, Kent State, and Temple round out the non conference. The B10 schedule is balanced and looks like about 8-4 plus a bowl loss.

Purdue - Purdue has been the same team for about 4 years. Not very good, not very bad, and a lot of close losses. It seems like Purdue is due a few close wins this year. They've been paying the premiums for a while now, and I think they may make a claim or two finally, in 2010. If they do, however, it is more likely to be the result of an improved defense than maintaining last year's offensive achievements. I'm not saying the QB can't succeed, but moving games from close losses to close wins does not happen with an unproven QB. Elliot is gone. Bolden is back and is a solid, tough RB. The schedule starts fairly easy but finishes pretty hard, including @OSU, @Ill, Wisc, UM, @MSU and a rivarly game against IU over the last 6. With some favorable bounces, accurate kicking and at least so-so QBing Purdue could be over .500. Make it: 7-5 with a bowl loss to a MAC team.

Wisconsin - I just can't buy that Wisc will be as good as everyone seems to think. They will be boring and good, but I can't see great. I still see them as a 50/50 proposition in most games. Tolzien is accurate and likes his TE. His best 2 TE's are gone, so we'll see how he uses the RB's and WR's. Clay runs hard. He has break away speed, too. I really don't know what else to say about WI. The non-conference is more difficult than average, but not too hard. I see an 8-4 finish and a bowl game. They could win or lose it.

* stop looking, the answer is 1 is D1, and its the Missouri Valley.
** tell me that isn't a bold, detailed prediction.
*** unless you are giving me points and paying out 10:1. Then we can talk.
**** over...hmm...Arkansas? Arizona? Too many QB questions at the traditional powers.

Recruiting

2010-08-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

I know, just last week I said that I was not in to the recruiting thing. That is for nerds. Well, I'm not in to memorizing kids stats and living and dying with each rumor or verbal commit. I do, however, keep abreast of some things. Mostly I follow the in state kids. If nothing else, where the 4 and 5 star kids (from Michigan) go is an indicator of where the programs are heading.

The fact that MSU is not only competing but regularly getting the best kids is very, very nice. I am especially excited to get the best linebacker in the state for the third straight year. You could make the argument that MSU got the 2 best linebackers in the state in 2010. When a kid knows there is already depth and talent at MSU at his position and still commits that is a good sign. He is a competitor and likes what he's seen. Better yet? He's from Detroit. As little as 3 years ago such a get would have been considered a crime, an absolute theft. Now we call it Wednesday afternoon.

I was equally upset to see super recruit Justice Hayes (grand blanc) choose ND. I can understand, with the stable of MSU backs and the chance to play for a team sure to make some noise in coming years under Kelly. It hurts a little, though.

I also LOVE the story coming out of Gary, IN. A 5 star recruit (6'6", 210) small forward (ala Alan Anderson -- not blazing speed but deceptive with some handles and a lanky game for his height) verballed for 2011. His recruiting bio on espn lists Indiana, Marquette, Purdue, Georgetown, and UCLA. Well, looks like MSU should have been somewhere on that list. ESPN puts him at the 14th best player in the country regardless of position, #4 small forward (must be a deep SF class!).

Oh, yeah. Chris Allen is gone. No more giraffe on roller skates analogies. In all fairness his defensive footwork and attention went from about -4 to 100 (on a scale of who am I guarding? to B+ level Bobby Knight defensive camp counselor). He also seemed to be a little more turned on than turned off in terms of being aggressive with the ball. He was becoming fearless with the ball and quite obviously had no memory.

The bad: I'm fairly certain he is exactly as smart as he sounds/looks/acts/showed himself to be. Also, Izzo is fiercely loyal to his players. You will learn lessons and take your lumps, but he rarely (has he ever?) gives up on anyone. I don't think Izzo has given up on Allen, but he has determined that what Allen needs cannot be provided in East Lansing. There is no doubt in my mind that Chris will get his stuff together, to some degree, and in 15 years he will be at some sort of MSU event singing Izzo's praises, thank coach for forcing him to grow up.

B11(12?) Basketball Update

2010-07-28T15:01:00.001-07:00

Yeah yeah yeah, its football season. I have a noteworthy basketball update, however.

Northwestern forward Kevin Coble will not return to the basketball team but will instead focus on academics. Coble went down early last season to injury which quickly deflated preseason expectations. This is a serious blow going forward for a team on the cusp of making the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1.5X10^3 years.*

I look for a fairly talented but young NW team to slide down a few projected slots this season as a result. Coble wasn't necessarily pretty to watch, but he was legit. Which really makes me wonder. I mean, I think he could have played professionally somewhere.

*I'll have my NW grads check the accuracy of that estimate

Summer Ponderings

2010-07-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Summer is great, don't get me wrong. I love the weather, the baseball, grilling and the lake. The 4th of July rivals any holiday in my book. Seasonal beers? Off the charts.

But for college sports fans (other than baseball) it is a real downtime. The only real exception is reserved for recruiting nerds. Freaks that follow star ratings and the personal lives of otherwise normal 15, 16, and 17 year old boys love this time of year. I can't get into it.

I will say this about recruiting: I like Dantonio's straight forward approach and analysis of high school talent. Kirk Cousins? He was a throw in. Keshawn Martin? He was a throw in too. MSU has more depth at running back and tight end since the late 90's and more depth at linebacker than ever. Ever.

You can question the character problems that sprung up last year. That is fair. I genuinely believe that the second chance (that back fired) given to one player was not based on team needs. I think it was 100% an opportunity to give a hard knock kid what could be his last shot at doing something big. It didn't work. That cancer is gone, at least 2 others are gone, too. The players that stayed are scared to death and were never really problems anyways. Their problem was in following, not instigating.

Finally, Brian Kelly has done an excellent job at every stop. He can certainly "coach kids up." However, I have to believe a good part of the success at Cinci was the talent level. 2010 was certainly the most talent Kelly's ever had. Nine (9) Dantonio recruits were drafted by NFL teams between 2009 and 2010, including 2 all time Cinci stat leaders and all americans. The points isn't really to focus on Kelly. He can coach. The point is that Dantonio's analysis and recruiting are solid.

Dantonio's recruiting doesn't include a lot of home runs, but a lot of singles and doubles. Singles and doubles take time to add up. Last year was a let down because the cupboard was, for the first time in a while, somewhat stocked. Despite the talent level the team never really met expectations. This year is big.

Although the lines are less experienced they should be more talented overall. The DB's are better and there is more depth. Special teams will be dicey, with punting being a hopeful A+ and place kicking a complete mystery. Cousins is solid and has a good arm with great leadership. The wide receivers will suprise some people and offer A LOT of opportunity to run multiple looks, including 2 legit wildcat QB's, plenty of arms on the perimeter, and end around speed with Martin. I like this team as well as any in the last 10 years from top to bottom.

It comes down to winning close games. The close games went to the green and white in 2008, winning 9 games including 2 of 3 points or less. The close games went to the opponents in 2009, with MSU losing 3 games by 3 points or less and 2 by 8 points. That means that 5 games were in play in the closing minutes. In that context, 6-6 doesn't look quite as bad. Senior leadership should help answer that problem in 2010. The soft schedule won't hurt, either. (7 home, 4 true road, 1 in Detroit, no OSU)

slight backtrack

2010-03-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

I should say that Pearl couldn't coach as long as he has, and win as many games as he has, without scrutiny. To that end, there is no evidence to say he cheats. I just get the feel that he is slimy. I mean, you are what you recruit, right? In football it happens almost everywhere. In basketball you don't have players charged with firearms and drug possession without there being some indication that, hmm, maybe this guy is a problem. Basketball teams have too few players to not know what is going on. Unless, of course, you cover your eyes.

Also, you can still have fun while coaching at a high profile program. That fun should probably not include taking photos while draped across the laps of coeds 1/3 your age. Larry Eustachy thinks this is Class-E.

Same goes for Prince. In postgame comments TN's Prince talked trash to Ohio State's Evan Turner about a no call late in the game. Turner got blocked and the no call was correct. Prince didn't need to elaborate, first because he is 1/10th the player Turner is. Second because it wasn't necessary. You won, focus on the next game. Instead, basically, he invited Turner to shut up and watch the rest on the season from the couch. Classy, just like your coach.

Here is a nice little piece lifted from ESPN's Forde:

"One of the reasons we came to Tennessee is to be in a position like this," point guard Bobby Maze said. "It's not a surprise that we don't get overwhelmed by it. We believe that we are supposed to be here and we have very high expectations of ourselves.

"Some people have us as an underdog, and to us it's a joke. It drives us even more to succeed. Every game we've played in the tournament we have been picked to lose. That's funny."

"Actually, Bobby, nobody picked No. 14 seed Ohio to beat Tennessee. And very few people picked No. 11 seed San Diego State. So there's a reality check for you."

I also think that Chism, while a great player, is a headcase. If he comes out hot TN could roll. If he gets bumped, misses some shots, or gets in foul trouble early he could flip and take himself out of the game. If Chism goes down in flames so does TN. Or as he might so eloquently put it, in the 3rd person, "If Chism gets hot they better watch out, cause Chism and Chism's headband are the best 1-2 combo in the country."

MSU vs TN

2010-03-27T13:37:00.001-07:00

Somehow, someway, these Spartans come up with shots, stops, plays, whatever it takes to win.

Forget that they can't finish a 3 on 1 breakaway.

Forget that their free throw shooting is mediocre at best.

Forget that no one is healthy enough to play at 100%.

Its March. Beware the Izzo's of March. Early April, too, if you please.

I do not like Bruce Pearl. I do not like Mike Kryzekiskeksssceeeiiski either. However, I respect what coach k has done. I do not respect Bruce Pearl. I think he, like Steve Alford, is a loser. In fact, I think Pearl is a hybrid of every bad coaching quality I can think of.

I watched earlier this year, during a preseason tournament, when the Vols played Purdue. I have a strong dislike for coaches that cannot control themselves and end up talking trash to players. Grow up. I don't want to hear about competitiveness or any of that crap. You don't trash talk 18-20 year olds if you are a grown man. If you can't be above that you have no business coaching. In fact, I don't really know what you are qualified to do for a living with that skill set. It likely involves scooping food at prison cafeterias.

Also, Bruce Pearl is greasy. I have no doubt he sits in living rooms talking trash about other coaches and programs. I would not be surprised in the least to find out he lies, cheats, or does whatever it takes to keep players eligible. The funny part? He turned in his own program in the past. I can't say for sure. He just gives that feel.

Finally, he has Steve Fisher type coaching skills. Those being: 1. recruit, 2. sit and watch, 3. sweat. Korie Lucious has been described as having "a little playground" to his game. Imagine 5 players on the floor at once with "a lot of playground." Think the fab five. No doubt skilled. Coached? Less likely. Just as likely to come out and drop 50 in a half on 15 3's as they are to jack up 50 shots and make 2. Beat Kentucky and lose to Georgia. Sneak past DePaul.

No doubt they have length and talent. Scariest of all, their length can put it on the floor. They trap and are athletic. Even at full strength this team would give MSU fits. Without lucas this is a tough, tough draw. The hope has to be that Raymar takes care of the ball, Allen is healthier, and Tenn is cold from the floor.

My best guess:

MSU 69
TN 68

MSU vs UNI

2010-03-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

I watched Norther Iowa play earlier this year and thought "hmm, this team is pretty good." I did not, however, think "hmm, this team will probably take out a #1 seed in the tournament."

Losing Kalin Lucas is obviously a big, big hit. Most often I would make the quality argument, in terms of the impact of losing Lucas, over the quantity. Not this time.

Losing Lucas at the same time as Allen is limited hurts MSU severly. The biggest reason is not Luscious' offense production or ability to implode for 5 turnovers in 45 seconds. The biggest reason is Korie can't stay in front of anyone on defense and CANNOT guard anyone on the break or in the post. If he played enough minutes he would have fouled out of every game this year.

What would I do if I was UNI? Post up, drive on, isolate, and abuse Luscious on defense. If he gets in foul trouble and Allen can't play 30 minutes or more the game is simply over. If he isn't in foul trouble he has either 1. been possessed by the ghost of a player who can play defense, or 2. is stepping aside and giving up layups.

The other tricky thing about the shuffle of positions? Raymar is taken out of the flow. He is not a perimeter player and still doesn't put the ball on the floor well in the half court. With Raymar and Green moved further out to the perimeter on offense, and Roe ailing, rebounding could take a HUGE hit. This UNI is not small. They hit free throws. They appear to be about 7 deep without much fall off. Not that Kansas would have been any better, but don't think a limited MSU can still run this team off the floor. It won't happen.

Keebler and Thornton have to play 25 combined minutes to have a chance. I don't worry about the defense so much as the offense. Keebler and Thornton, as on the ball defenders, are at least as good as Luscious. Both are longer and stronger than Luscious. I worry about the offensive end. We cannot run an offense from 35 feet out with our back to the basket. That is what Keebler tends to do.

I still like MSU in a low scoring game. Don't expect a 42 point half. Make it:

MSU - 67
UNI - 62

MSU vs Maryland

2010-03-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

I've learned that with this team it is best to not make predictions. I do think it will be a tough game with Maryland as they are experienced and have a very talented and big guard.

Without a healthy Allen to guard him (yeah, I did just say that) I don't think anyone else is capable of staying in front of him and keeping him from posting up. Summers is tall enough to take him in the post but can't seem to move his feet. Raymar would be the next best choice but can't D him on a 3 ball. Lucas is too small. Lucious is both too small and, inexplicably, unable to stay in front of anyone off the dribble.

I do like Draymond and Roe's potential to run the offensive game from the free throw line so long as the wings are hitting and the layups are falling. I HATE Raymar taking 16' shots. I hate it. It does not work in this system unless, or course, he never misses. That is unlikely and leaves us with no one down low to rebound and likely a long rebound coming off for a quick outlet and bucket the other way.

I've heard it argued both ways with the Kansas loss; you don't want to play that scrappy N.Iowa team and thank God Kansas is out. Yes, N.Iowa can hit you inside and out. Yes, they play some defense. Overall? Give me a break. Any coach in the country would be glad to play N.Iowa with 6 players rather than playing Kansas. Any argument to the contrary is nonsense.

If you get bored, have a computer, and a fast connection check this out. Gus Johnson on tap. Great for creating your own game commentary, answering phone calls, or just annoying anyone else in the room.

Steve Alford is a loser. He was a loser in the BigTen and now, although he was a generous 3 seed, he is a loser out west. You can't change ugly, and he's ugly.

Another good read, if you have the time. Just goes to show we don't know how good we have it here.

I liked MSU's chances coming into the weekend. However, with the Allen and Lucas injuries and considering Roe's lingering injuries, I am more than concerned. Allen and Summers are going to have to hit 3's, Sherman, Nix, Green, and Roe are going to have to finish around the basket, and Morgan HAS to shown up for 40 minutes for MSU to have a chance. This one could be in the high 70's to mid 80's. In a close game I have to say I question MSU's chances to pull it out if Allen can't play and Lucas is less than 90%. Oh, and of course, everyone has to hit freethrows.

bold prediction:

MSU - 78
MD - 72

MSU umm

2010-03-07T07:02:00.001-08:00

Today is, unlike most games against the skunkbears, meaningful. Consider the implications.

1. Senior night for a player that has been confusing, dominant at times, and like others before him -- quite unappreciated. Paul Davis comes to mind. A guy that just went to work, NEVER caused drama* and has career stats any incoming freshman would dream of. Raymar wants this win. His teamates -- most at least -- want it for him just as badly. No one wants it more than Izzo, for the program of course, but mostly for Raymar.

2. This is michigan. You can't lose this game. Ummm hasn't won at the Bres since 1997, hasn't really been close in most of those games, and isn't a contender this year. This would be a BAD loss headin into seeding. And...

3. A win means a piece of the B11 Championship. Banners are Izzo's "footprints."

4. You cannot lose another game at home. The Breslin is dangerously close to be an easy win. And don't blame the fans. In the osu and purdue losses the fans brought plenty of noise and distraction. The players were flat and mentally absent. Another home loss would also set the wrong tone heading into the post season.

5. This should be a scrimmgae to clean up bad habits against a zone defense and 3 point shooting. You will see both in the tourney. Make it far enough and you will likely see Nova or Cuse, which use both heavily. 3 point shooting is funny because a hot team can hit despite the best defense ever and a bad shooting night can make terrible defense look deceivingly good, on paper. Quirky. Bad rotation by the bigs has really been the biggest problem. Against Wisconsin, Purdue, and OSU the bigs stepped out early and gave up layups. Late in the same games they sagged too far and gave up 3's on bad rotation. It will be up to Summers, Roe, Green, and Morgan to find that balance and cut off passing lanes to make a good defense great.

A few observations:

- I HATE Morgan taking long 2's and 3's. First, he is a great rebounder and boxes out consistently. When he is shooting away from the basket there is about a 2% chance we are getting that rebound. Second, it usually comes at the expense of a drive against a slower post player (rarely over a guard). Use your advantages. I get that you should be a jump shooter to play at the next level. You aren't yet. This team doesn't need you to be.

- Teams allow Lucious to get in the lane because he is too small to finish in traffic and doens't have a floater. He realizes this, too late, nightly when he gets trapped down low in the forest and ends up traveling, throwing a terrible pass, or throwing up some garbage. Don't get past your man for the sake of getting by him. Have a plan and a purpose.

- Why aren't we throwing 4-5 lobs per game? Summers isn't the only player that can take a lob. In a pinch, against man, Allen could and has. Roe and Morgan are, in my mind, ideal candidates. Green and Nix can use their bodies to get a man fronting them and then a quick lob would mean a layup. Especially against a zone when there is rotation to the corner. A quick skip pass to the point and an immediate lob to the opposite block would be almost automatic.

- This team, especially its stars, have to get better from the line. Morgan, Lucas, and Summers have been terrible. You can't win that way. This is especially true for a team that misses as many laypus and short jumpers as MSU has recently. It seems as though no one can finish. ESPECIALLY on a fast break. Again, I've never seen a team squander so many fast breaks, with numbers, so consistenly.

- Some of the passes in the last few games that looked terrible were, at least 50%, Summers fault. Lucious and Lucas both have throw a pass out of a trap or to a space hoping that Summers would do the logical thing; try to get open. Instead Summers cuts away from the pass to a space on the floor where 1. no pass could not get to him, and 2. another defender is better able to guard two people without moving. It is basic. Figure it out.

Um is not that bad. They have players to win any game on any given night, at least this year, as college basketball has about 8-12 teams that could win it all. There is no clear head and shoulders team this year. That said, limiting umm to one shot per possession and -- regardless of turnovers -- making each real opportunity count means a win. Think in terms of hockey, shots versus scoring chances. A shot in hockey is not necessarily a scoring chance. Take advantage of scoring chances and let backcourt and loose ball turnovers go. That means finishing on layups, open shots, and free throws. Catch the routine pass. Don't throw the lazy, readable pass.** Wide open on a 3? Don't travel. Finish the dunk.*** Cut to the open space, not to a space where a pass can neither get to you or where you let one defender cover two people.****

MSU -- 71
umm -- 64

* Other than the internal drama necessary to create the most funny faces since Jim Carey.
** Summers
*** Summers
****SUMMERS

Again, for the first time

2010-02-21T07:40:00.001-08:00

This will be my 3rd attempt in two days to post comments RE: MSU v OSU. Between this website and my computer I have twice lost complete posts. One. Last. Try.

Ohio State is what I thought they, uh, is -- to paraphrase one Denny Green. I expected them to challenge for the B10 title and here they are, right in the mix.

I don't need to say anything about Evan Turner. It's all been said. He probably is, based on stats, the national player of the year. I do not think he will have the best NBA career of any player currently in the B10, but he will contribute. I question if he is a good enough jump shooter to score 15+ consistently in the NBA. Hummel is an NBA step out 3 point guy. Jujuan Johnson is a legit big man to 12 feet. Buford, from OSU, might actually be a better NBA scorer.

If I were coaching today I would hope for the following: fewer than 1.25 shots per possession on average for OSU, make Turner a jump shooter (don't let him penetrate and dish or get to the line 15 times), don't lose Diebler or Lighty on the wings for 3's. Just play Turner straight up and give him 25 or 30. Stop everyone else and hit the defensive boards.

If I hear one more story about how good Keebler is on defense I'm going to puke. Just say what you are thinking. He's moves his feet pretty good...he defends pretty good...for a walk on white guy. If that wasn't what you were thinking then I have no idea why, in about 5 minutes of floor time, anyone would make him out to be some sort of defensive lock down guy. From what I can tell it is based, largely, on two possessions. Both were against Battle (PSU) and were in late game possessions.

Keebler, with help, got a stop that lead to a shot clock violation. With help. 35 feet from the basket. He was part of a stop. Great. Within a few possessions he "forced" Battle to take a bad shot. That is sort of like saying you forced crap to run downhill. I could "force" battle to take a bad shot. It would look a lot like this: Battle blows past me in the first two steps after the inbound. Then, in the open floor on a breakaway -- undefended and ahead of the pack -- Battle would pull up a 34' three pointer. I was responsible for defending him. As he pulled up I came back to within 4' of him. I forced a bad shot. He does ok, for a walkon, but I can think of a dozen better defenders in the last 10 years that never got any credit.

If MSU can keep Diebler, Buford, and Lighty from catching fire from 3, can keep OSU off the free throw line (Indiana was a joke, I mean, they scored something like 25 points from the line. Almost 50% of their points were from the line.) and run, run, run (OSU plays 6 guys.8) I don't see why a 10 point win couldn't happen.

MSU - 71
OSU - 60

Off to the game. GO GREEN!

*read - 6 guys period

bad to worse

2010-02-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Lucas likely won't see the floor for at least a few weeks.

I should have read the program. It was crappy players hit a bunch of junk shots night at the Kohl center. They seriously can't miss. I'm not sure injuries, bad calls, or missed assignments matter. This is like playing Illinois back in the day. Dee Brown, a 8 point per game scorer, drops 30. That kind of game.

I can barely watch Raymar the last few games. He is another stupid senior. Like Gray you have to wonder if he had 11 years of elibility if he would still pick up 3 stupid fouls per game. Reaches, swipes, and the most recent a foul on a guard driving to the basket with less than 6 seconds on the shot clock. Just dumb. You can't let them both run the clock and get to the line.

in game update

2010-02-02T18:50:00.001-08:00

The thing about wisconsin is, well, they aren't a good team.

Wisc is shooting out of their mind. 7 3's in a half? Come on now.

Summers and Morgan can't get a call if they are within 6' of the basket. At least 4 no calls on obvious fouls.

Flopping needs to be a foul. Lucas put up his forearm on a drive. But I replayed the offensive foul call. Taylor was falling well before there was any contact. He needs to put on his big boy panties. He's in the BigTen.

Even Wisconsin's 3pt misses work in their favor; they are so bad that the rebounds come off in bad/strange places.

I really have a hard time watching boryan. He's an asshole. Its one thing to argue calls that are questionable. Its another thing to argue and flat out lie on blatantly obvious calls. It is amplified when you consider coaching that stresses flopping.

This team needs to finish. I really, really need to see Summers go up strong and throw one down on someone's head.

And any day now Brent Musburger, in his 473rd year broadcasting, can stop calling us Michigan. Michigan hasn't been relevant, Brent, in over a decade. You aren't even a B list commentator. C-, at best.

MSU v baajers

2010-02-02T17:45:00.001-08:00

It is always tought to play at the JCPenney center. Err, Sears&Roebuck, or was it...Fashion Bug? I forget. Oh right, Kohl['s] Center.

However, this team is only 3 players deep. One is hurt. Hughes can play. Leuer can play, but is out. Taylor can play, and is getting better with each game. The rest are system players. Sure, one could go off for 18 on a hot night. But in any other system, on any other major DI team, they simply wouldn't play.

Wisconsin is tough to figure out. They don't really need to get lucky or hot to beat good teams, like Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa and other teams that rely on the 3 ball. They don't pound you inside, necessarily. They don't use backdoor Princeton schemes. The offense is atypical, but not so much that it is necessarily a gimmick. Truthfully, Wisconsin just doesn't beat Wisconsin.

Wisconsin hangs around, plays defense, keeps the turnovers down, and hits free throws. They don't commit bad fouls, they don't take very many bad or early shots. They make layups. They make the right pass. They just play fundamental and wait for you to screw up. It's boring. It's the reason, in my mind, the B10 is thought of as slow and painful to watch. Purdue can run, MSU runs, Michigan fires up 30+ 3's in most games. The B10 is not boring, except Wisconsin.

If MSU hits free throws, STAYS OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE, limits Wisconsin to very few 2nd chance points, and keeps the turnovers under 15 they win. Raymar needs to have a big bounce back and Lucas has to be clutch, again. Lucious has got to get himself under control. This is the sort of team that lures you in to making bad passes and turning the ball over with very little pressure.

MSU -- 66
Wizconsin -- 63

R a n t

2010-01-29T21:12:00.001-08:00

I've always been a believer in the idea that as much as things change, they mostly stay the same. That is to say, everything is a variation on a theme.

Elvis was evil and/or immoral.

The Beatles were immoral.

Long hair, birth control, women's rights, recreational drugs, *rock music = evil and the end of society.

Tattoos, piercings, *music = evil.

I've never bought in. Things weren't better then or worse now in terms of flat comparisons.

You can argue pesticides, lead paint, asbestos, medicine, petroleum use, etc. There are improvements, to our knowledge, and setbacks. We honestly just don't have the luxury of time and perspective to make a factual, conclusive statement.

However, I just cringe at the "news."

We have certainly always been subject to the voices of the most wealthy among us. The Federalists weren't peasant, homeless, or hapless morons. It is true that money talks. But real money makes you listen, and doesn't take no for an answer.

I just flipped past 30 seconds of "news" hosted by Sean Hannity of Fox News. Sean informed me that the "Harvard Law" president doesn't understand a recent S.C. ruling and flat out lied, or in the alternative was an innocent idiot, as to the potential effects. Forget nuclear power. Just pipe me for steam and we will solve our national energy concerns for the next 20 years.

I will not pretend to be an expert on the effects of a SC ruling so recent the ink has yet to dry. However, I'm tired of people breaking out the idiot and incompetent labels on the smartest president in 10 years. Spare me. Why are only intelligent and pragmatic presidents labeled idiots by the party that is supposed to be the high thinking, rational party? Aren't the liberals the bleeding hearts? Aren't conservatives worried about logic, finance, and practicality?

I am a moderate. I'm fiscally conservative, in terms of paying for what you determine to be worthwhile. I like a functional government that acts like a wise, well meaning god parent and is a peacekeeping force but otherwise stays out of my life, for the most part. I will listen to the morality (offered, but not demanded), and I will take the financial support if I have nowhere else to turn, but I have too much pride to get comfortable living in the basement.

My idea of peace keeping is not just police, but economic and health based support to help those on hard times and in hard places. For the right consider this; private property is only accumulated and maintained after and while basic societal needs are met. Don't fool yourself into thinking you are that important or strong. As a smart friend said considering the recent downturn: if things get much worse and education is worth less than brute force I will not survive long [insert further descriptive sailor language]. Keeping the peace starts with meeting basic needs for everyone. Continue to erode that floor and expect 50% of the population to be on police payroll.

As to fiscal responsibility, modern republicans see a one way road. An intelligent driver looks both ways.

Paying for what you expect doesn't mean simply cutting programs until they meet revenues, necessarily, but making the two match. That could mean cutting expenditures. It could also mean raising revenue. Despite the fact that taxes are the lowest they have been since, well, a long time before most people can recall, the right cannot understand how high taxes are. No matter how much is cut there is always more cutting to do. Taxorexia is a disease. The right has it.

I don't like to pay too much for anything. I'm cheap. But I recognize that budgeting means paying and cutting, not one or the other.

I am just as mad at the left. Why is the left so unwilling to consider pragmatic solutions? Why do legislative majorities and control of the White House make the far left feel invincible? Why do they force the President's hand in a way that makes the midterm and next Presidential election uncertain at best? A pragmatist, centrist, intelligent leader is made to look a fool for being what most people should want. The news cycle doesn't help. It feeds the far left, the far right, and the far out of touch by giving them only what they tuned in to hear. Affirmation.

Granted historically radio was no better. With very limited media sources, radio and news print, political leaders could abuse the bully pulpit similarly in the past. However, is it more dangerous to have a political leader potentially abuse their office, jeopardizing their credibility, or to have a moron named Glen Beck or Keith Olberman feed propaganda to people that are barely awake after working 10 hours to bring home $80 with little to no repurcussion via election? I can't be sure. Glen and Keith can feed you and feed you and feed you the BS you want to hear with no duty to negotiate, no duty to tell you how it is or should be, but only a duty to please.

I do know that the current political climate makes isolation and affirmation of completely moronic views much easier.

Rant complete.

3 close wins

2010-01-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

The Minny game was ugly but somewhat expected. It is just plain hard to play at the barn. Illinois and Wisconsin aren't going to be much easier. However, having won at Minn and UM it becomes less important to win both the Wisc and Illinois games.

This team is as frustrating as almost any team I can remember. There is no reason to let a very bad Iowa team back in to a game and there is no reason to be down 13+ to Minny and 7 to UM. That said, all three ended with W's. The frustrating thing is this team hasn't once played to its potential. There has not been one game this season where the team has clicked on both ends for a majority of the game. I'm not talking about perfection, I'm talking about playing like Duke. If you are up by 15 at the half you should win by at least 30. We win by 5.

Raymar has finally decided to be a force. He can be nearly unstoppable because of his size and ability. Green is similar. Lucas remains the hardest player to stay in front of in the B10, and he seems to be figuring that out too.

I think a win against Wisconsin is possible if not likely now that Leuer is out. Although 3's can keep any team in a game (see: Iowa) Wisconsin is not built to shoot 29 three's per game (see: UM). I think a win either at Illinois or at Purdue is a bonus at this point.

Ummm, current record 10-10, only needs 4 more wins to make the NCAA tournament. Too bad they need to be consecutive and in the B10 tournament. They cannot make the tournament as an at large bid. There really isn't any way.

I still think Bruce Weber is going to be lucky to see his big time recruiting class hit the floor next year, at least as their coach. This team is not as bad as the record would make you think. That has been true for the last two years. It isn't a lack of talent.

Northwestern will come in this week fired up and in need of a marque win. However, without Coble, they just don't have enough to play 40 minutes at the speed MSU can push teams. NU doesn't have the depth, or talent for that matter, to beat the top teams in the conference. All that goes out the window when there are foul problems or NU hits 50%+ of their 3's.

MSU - 74
NU -- 61

Back to Back B10 Champs?

2010-01-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

I don't want to call it too early. However, I have looked over the schedules. Things set up nicely for MSU if they can get two wins out of the following 5:

- at MN

- at OSU

- at Purdue

- at Wisc

- at Ill

Ohio State, Minny, and Purdue have already lost 3 games each. All three have played a fairly balanced schedule in terms of home and road games against both weak and difficult opponents.

Michigan has lost 2 games but one loss was to Indiana. UM also hasn't played Wisc, Purdue, or MSU at all yet.

Illinois still has an outside chance, but the 4-0 record coming into last weekend was deceiving. Illinois had beaten: NW at home (OT), Iowa at home, Indiana on the road, and Penn State at home. Hardly murderers row. Despite Demetri McCamey's thoughts to the contrary* Illinois is not that good. His coach knows better:

"[MSU has] eight starters, and every day somebody is giving them something special."

I don't know about 8 starters, but there are 7 guys that would start for almost any team in the conference. There are guys at the end of the bench that would dominate in some conferences.

Northwestern could make the tournament, but they won't win the B10. Indiana is at least a year away. Penn State is giving Iowa a run for the worst conference team ever award. (Iowa is still worse)

I don't want to jump the gun. MSU still goes on the road for 5 tough games. But win 2 of those and I have to believe they control their own destiny.

Given my choice I would take wins at Purdue and Ohio State. Win 3 and there might not even be a race. A third win? I'll take at Wisconsin, just to win at Wisconsin, but without Leuer they are not nearly as good. They are dangerous, because they will shoot 2x as many 3's, but they aren't as good consistently. I think a win at Minnesota would be more valuable. And, of course, wins at Penn State and Indiana are a must. Michigan, too, must be crushed.

MSU should come out and put a hurting on Iowa this week. Iowa, as previously mentioned, is bad. They beat Penn State somehow. I didn't watch it but my only guess is Talor Battle was being Talor Battle and forgot to 1. run plays**, 2. pass, 3. listen to anyone besides Talor Battle. Iowa got exactly what was advertised in hiring Lickliter; a mid major coach. Unfortunately Iowa is, at best, an average mid major basketball program right now. There doesn't appear to be a lot of hope on the horizon either.

This could be a chance for Nix and Sherman to get more minutes. Hell, Herzog might play.

MSU - 72

Iowa - 60

I watched Indiana beat Minny this weekend. I hate to say it, because he's family, but I wonder about Crean as a coach. I wonder how much of his success was having Dwayne Wade, McNeal, and James. All coaches benefit from players, there is no question about that. But all things being equal, or somewhat equal, coaches make a difference. Crean has a younger team, at Indiana, than Tubby at Minn. He also has a little less talent. But with a big lead IU went into a shell, ran terrible plays, and seemed to do everything wrong before pulling out an OT win. Tubby outcoached Crean. Izzo outcoached Crean. Lots of people in the Big East outcoached Crean. I just question things a little. Who knows, a year from now he might be contending for the league. The cupboards were rather bare.

The reffing continues to blow my mind. This week two plays stand out. A shot clock violation call after Kalin Lucas clearly pushed the ball halfway up the floor and lost it out of bounds (in our favor) and what appeared to be a trip from behind that turned into a step and a half, layup, and one situation. I thought I was watching the NBA. That, my friends, is continuation. Do not ruin the college game with continuation.

Also, stop rushing the floor. Michigan, yes you beat #15 Uconn. You also lost to Indiana and Alabama. You are unranked and have a very, very slim chance of making the 64. Don't rush the floor.

Indiana, you beat Minnesota in overtime at home. Neither team is ranked. It was not to win a championship. There are a dozen conference games left. Do not rush the floor. Bobby Knight would choke you right now if he could.

*McCamey said something to the effect of "we match up with [MSU] athletically but they out hustled us." Well, in short, no you don't. You might match up athletically, but your team certainly does not. That will be obvious next year when freshmen start over seniors. (great recruiting class coming in, for some coach, starting to wonder if it will be Weber)

**Battle did run one play: Talor Battle shoots from his current location. Wherever you are on the floor. Wherever you are in the shot clock. Also known as "if I'm off the bus I'm within my range.

OldZone

2010-01-09T09:01:00.001-08:00

Because the students were gone on break, and considering the champagne crowd wasn't going to provide the needed atmosphere for the rival badgers, the MSU athletic dept threw together an izzone alumni section. Long story short; ate some decent food in the auxilary (practice) gym, listened to a Q&A with Izzone, got a t-shirt and saw the game from row 3. Not bad.

Draymond Green is very, very impressive from 200'. From 20' he's amazing. His hands have got to be the best on the team. Better than a guard. His quickness and footwork are so deceptive, at least on offense, you almost can't stop him. His defensive footwork from 12' and out was sketchy as he got crossed up a couple of times and also committed some bad perimeter fouls. He's still amazing to watch in terms of athleticism for his size.

Lucas is having a great early season when you consider the abuse he's taking. The new theory seems to be to disrupt his timing and balance. It is largely working. It isn't obvious at full speed but in replays you can see guards and help defenders bumping and jabbing at Lucas as he drives. The fouls aren't getting called and his timing and speed are neutralized. Its obvious at game speed from the 3rd row, no replay needed. If he doesn't start getting calls it could be a long season for Lucas. He's not big enough to take the bumps and probably wouldn't be as effective with more weight. Very similar to the problem Neitzel had. Neitzel tried to bulk up, and in my opinion, suffered for it. If the calls don't change I guess the only option is to bait players in to more obvious fouls with more hesitation (getting them in the air or off balance, clutching) or going Iverson. Just go hard and don't be afraid to hit the floor.

Roe is looking more explosive and decisive. The latter is more impressive than the former. Few players on this team have a mean streak and finish with any emotion. Even Summers, who can certainly explode, doesn't do it with anger. Green shows flashes of the same. You see it in his eyes where he decides, no matter where on the floor, he's going past his defender and over whoever gets in the way. And he's dunking. No layups. No floaters. "Just know if you step in front of me you are going to earn this charge." I like that. Raymar could benefit from playing with some aggression on offense. He's mismatch and needs to learn to expect contact and power through it.

I really, really like how Allen has improved on defense. He looks less like Chris Hill and more like...David Thomas. He's a good athlete that needed to work on positioning, anticipating, and focus. He was often way out of position, had no clue where his man was or was trying to end up, and would go through long streaks of not defending anyone. He looks a lot sharper. He also decided that scoring can happen inside the arc, which should improve his looks from outside the arc. Last year at this time you didn't have to even consider Allen putting it on the floor or pulling up from 10' on a drive. Now that you have to respect that, at least a little, he should get more open looks from 3. Now if he could get the shot off a little quicker...

Nix is much like Draymond in that he is a much better athlete than people might think. His footwork is there, the hands are very good, his shooting touch and confidence are just off. Obviously from the line, but also underneath. He gets some amazing shots off but misses the bunnies. Suton used to frustrate in the same ways. Make a great move, get a wide open look, and miss. Nix starts with better footwork than Suton so the improvement should come more quickly.

MSU vs Iowa today should be a blowout. I don't like teams that fire up 3's for 50% of their offense. I've said that over and over. You can lose to any team that gets hot. Hell, The Citadel almost did it this year hitting 7 3's in the first 10 minutes. Once a team gets hot from deep its almost impossible to step out far enough on defense. Hot shooters (like Respert would get) barely cross half court before pulling up. Weathering storms, converting free throws, and hitting the defensive glass are very important against the Iowa/NW/UM's of the league. Every possession counts double in these games because Iowa will run the clock down before hitting a 3 or getting to the line.

Iowa is bad, however, on defense. Roe, Summers, and Raymar should do well. Since Iowa is worst in the conference in field goal defense, giving up 46%+ from the field, they will have to step out on Lucas, Allen, and Summers. Roe and Morgan should benefit from this, as well as Green with his knack for tipping rebounds back. Summers could also step backdoor for a dunk or two on an overplay. I like MSU by quite a lot.

MSU - 75
IA --- 58

MSU Bowl Game

2010-01-05T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well, on the bright side Dantonio has taken this team to three straight bowls.

Bad news; MSU has lost all three games.

As much as I would like to put this on the defense, based on this game and this entire season, the defense played well enough to win. It feels strange to say that.

The person that I don't enjoy blaming really deserves it this time. I hate saying it. He is the right choice at the position. He played very, very well most of the season. He won games. But this time I have to admit it.

Cousins lost the game.

Interceptions happen. They just do. Especially when the people running routes are backups, walkons, and currently listed on the roster at QB. However, Cousins two picks were bad. The first was a forced throw after the screen was read perfectly. It almost looked like his arm started to throw, his eyes read the defense, and his brain said "eh, what the hell. Let's just adjust a liiiitle bit upfield to that other green jersey." Problem being green jersey two was also covered. That ball needed to end up in row 12 seat 37.

The game was recently announced as the highest rated bowl ever broadcast on espn. Take that for what you will.

I think this team really could be good next year. A few guys got a chance in this game, because of suspensions, that may just keep the starting spot. There will be depth on the defensive line. The linebackers will still be good, although a little less talented at the top of the rotation. The skilled players will be VERY good from QB to RB and, yes, the TE's and WR's. I look for 8-9 wins next year and a good bowl game. Depending on the matchup I don't think a New Years Day bowl win is out of the question.

MSU UTA

2009-12-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of problems, most notably those already written about and discussed ad naseum this week regarding leadership, with the 2009/10 spartans. Coaches need to take a look in the mirror as well. I have to question coaches Stephens and Montgomery. Things I learned in 7th and 8th grade -- albeit from a over qualified coach for the position -- seem to be lost on this team.

Why does Chris Allen insist on pasing through the paint? If you plan to pass through the paint it had better be from big to big or from the high post to the low post. Directly across, which Allen has tried all season and at least three times tonight, is just stupid. You don't do it.

Why doesn't anyone ask Lucious a simple question: great, you got the impossible pass to your teammate. Now what? What does he do with it? You passed him the ball on a dead sprint, behind the backboard, in a triple team. You proved you could ge tthe ball in to a tight spot. Now what? Set your teammates up to succeed. Did he get the ball in a position to score? Then why did he get it.

Lucas or anyone else running the point on a break. Why do you over penetrate? If you pass the free throw line you need to be ready to score. If you don't plan to go to the basket stop at the free throw line. Wings. Are two of you running the same lane, making it easy for one defender or bringing a second defender to the space? Think.

Roe. Seriously. Box out. If you don't, don't bother going up. You are over the back about 75% of the time. I have no idea how you haven't fouled out of every game.

Morgan. Please, with the faces. Some coach please tell him to stop with the faces and start with not have female body parts. Has there been a softer senior ever? No aggression. No emotion (other than sadness and confusion) and no sense of urgency. Your career is pretty much over. What are you going to be remembered for?

So its been a while

2009-12-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

I've gotten a little behind in my posts. This is partly because I don't have quite as much flexibility at work and partly because there isn't much to write about. I'll try to catch up on the last few weeks all at once.

The Fight:

We all know that fraternities are full of charitable, PBS watching, honorable gentlemen. That's why it was so disturbing, so shocking, so...CRIMINAL to find that a number of MSU football (defensive) players, known for their hard hitting and aggressive ways* were involved in a fight with otherwise innocent fraternity boys. It seems as though the trouble started the night before, when an MSU running back was knocked to the floor while dancing with a young woman at a local club. The knocker-downer is presumed or rumored to be a member of the fraternity in question. No doubt he was helping an old woman across the street** and got lost.

The fight resumed the next day at a student dorm. The fraternity was holding a potluck dinner -- likely giving all of the food to the homeless and less fortunate -- when in stormed the football players. Punches were thrown and the accusations and exaggerations began almost immediately.

We also now know, thank all that is good in this world, what everyone across the country feels did and should happen. Fortunately MSU alums from all over have come out of the woodwork to weigh in. To which the rest of us say who the hell are you and why do I care what you think? Not to be outdone, the national president of the frat told us exactly what occurred, from his unobstructed view from Louisville, KY. Additionally, the "injured" member, if you will, had a sore jaw until he saw dollar signs and hired an attorney. This is where it gets good.

1. He wants to get paid. Unfortunately, his claims are probably only against the person that hit him. That could, maybe, include a kid from Detroit public schools and a kid already in trouble for a previous home invasion. Good luck getting paid. Also, the statements that were made that he "had a sore jaw" turned into debilitating, life threatening complications at some point. That's not gonna hurt your case.

2. His attorney isn't sure what the status of her clients intent to "press charges" is. Well, apparently someone attacked an undercover prosecutor. Last I checked citizens only pressed charges on television, which is apparently where the attorney got her mail order license; law and order university of law. The frat member is also looking into possible violations of international treaties and Microsoft's compliance with antitrust rulings.

The fight is serious, but its not that serious. Neither was it one sided. If it happened down the way, in smellyville, I would be giving them holy hell. It would be justified; 50% based on who they are and 50% based on who they think they are. It happened here instead and I will defend actions in part and question them in part.

Winston may have been worth bringing back to the team. He had little to no history. He is a Detroit kid that needs some help. Football is, maybe, his best chance of helping himself and family out of Detroit. Dantonio did the right thing in giving him a second chance. However, I question playing him at all this year.

Jenrette is another story. A hell of a player and much needed in the secondary. However, that can't cloud the ultimate decision. If Dantonio knew about the multiple breaking and enterings -- not a college fight but felonies -- he should have been gone.

A lot of these other guys seem like good kids trying to support a friend/teammate. They should have known better but they screwed up. They should not be kicked off the team. They should be talking to kids about this stuff. They should be talking, as soon as this criminal and civil business comes to a conclusion, on espn. They should be doing events with this fraternity.

MSU Basketball:

Last year I knew, prior to and after playing UNC, we did not want to see them in the tourney. The prior year I knew that Memphis was that good. Now, Memphis lost the championship game in the last minute to Kansas, and no one ever said Memphis was the smartest*** or best free throw shooting team, but they were the most talented.

Texas is good, but Texas isn't that good. I have no problem seeing Texas again in the tournament. UNC isn't that good either. We made both look much better than they really are. Summers and Allen have regressed and gave us basically nothing. Assuming Roe gets better, the freshmen improve, and Lucas and Morgan get their heads right, we can beat anyone.

This team could be really, really, really good. They have to 1. cut down turnovers off stupid passes, 2. learn that they are simply not going to get fouls called in the backcourt, and 3. be tough.

1. The turnovers are getting ridiculous. Lucious and Lucas lost the game the other night in about 45 seconds. Roe, Summers, Allen, and Green had a dozen bad passes combined against Texas where two questions should be asked; what the hell was the guy going to do with it if he caught it? and do you think you are playing stevie wonder?

2. We get hacked a lot bringing the ball up and running sets from the top of the key. Against Texas it was called "good pressure defense." I call it Duke/Old Kentucky defense. Training begins at age 6 in jockey school where you learn to ride a horse and the skills are transferred to basketball once you break 100 lbs. That said, Lucious should NEVER get picked by a big man. It happened on back to back plays last game.

3. This team is playing weak. Roe doesn't box out about 50% of the time and goes over the back. Morgan got fouled on a sure dunk but went up weak and missed a 3 point opportunity. He has no aggression. Roe shows spurts of aggressiveness. Green is the only player that looks for contact and expects contact. Allen is rarely close enough to anyone from the opposite team to consider contact, especially on defense. He has improved though.

I still like this team and think they could win the bigten, the bigten tournament, and make a final four run. They could also lose 10 games. The shooting needs to improve and the communication needs to, I don't know, exist. Hopefully an established starting lineup will help that.

* this is called sarcasm, a skill which is amplified after watching the MSU "defense," as they insist they should still be called, give up buttloads of offense to bad, bad teams
** no word on what the elderly woman was doing at an overcrowded night club after midnight, why the entire fraternity was needed to assist this person, or how the entire fraternity managed to get lost. Christmas idea for said frat: GPS.
***the actual academic abilities of the players is not known as none ever took their own entrance exam or attended a class at Memphis. If that statement turns out to be false we can simply have it vacated and I can go about my business as usual with no consequences.

Tiger Tiger Woods Ya'll

2009-12-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

There are few things I care less about than Tiger Woods personal life. I didn't like him more when he married a model, or when he had a child, or when he drove a Buick. I like his golf game. I appreciate his talent. He could have sex with women, men, or no one at all, and so long as it doesn't happen while he is golfing, I don't care.

A good barometer: If Nancy Grace is talking about it I likely don't care.

I am mildly amused with Phil Mickelson's personal life to the extent that he is married to an attractive woman. I'm almost past being astonished. Annnnd I don't care about his personal life.

Did Tiger kill someone? Did he rape someone? Hell, did he lie under oath about taking steroids or hide earnings offshore to avoid taxes? No. He is an adult that did adult things with other consenting adults. He made bad decisions and looks foolish. Welcome to being human.

This isn't a Larry Craig situation. This is a weekend news story at best. It's a shame but beyond 48 hours it's a non story.

Reffing

2009-11-27T07:38:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I am simply paying more attention this year or if the calls are actually getting worse. Across all sports, college and pro, I can't recall more bad, bad calls in one year. Despite the implementation of replay systems in most major sports the calls have somehow gotten worse.

The MSU Purdue game was bad. Every week in the Big10 I see at least one terrible call that is not only contrary to what obviously happened, but at times contrary to the rules. Indiana got hosed weekly. MSU was on both sides of at least a dozen horrendous calls this season. Hopefully basketball is better.

The early indicators aren't good. The MSU Gonzaga game was one of the worst officiated games in years. It is pretty easy to slow down the MSU break when you 1. are over the back (with no calls) on every rebound, 2. hack the hell out of the rebounder if he does somehow get the rebound, 3. hack the outlet guard, 4. hand check the guard all the way down the floor.

I would estimate that about 1/3 of the refs I've seen this year are veterans. There are a lot of new faces. Perhaps the regular season will see a return to the not so good but at least consistent zebras of years past.

MSU v Purdue

2009-11-14T05:01:00.001-08:00

I'm really excited to tell you about Purdue football, today's matchups, and what to expect from the Purdue offense. I would be even more excited if I could name a single player on Purdue's team.

It isn't that they don't have some talent, because Purdue has won some games (at OSU, at ummm), but I have not watched an entire game this year. I had the umm/purdue game on in the background when MSU was not televised but I had the radio on. I've done some research.

Purdue Pete is the mascot. He carries a hammer. Pete is not short for Purdue Peter. No word on whether or not Pete Seeger (If I had a hammer) was an inspiration.

Purdue's football team, and players, are known as Boilermakers. The nickname was shortened Boilers after a student vote. Boilermakers was too long, the alternative, Boils, too short. Boilers was preceded by grangers, pumpkin-shuckers, railsplitters, cornfield sailors, blacksmiths, and foundry hands. So sayeth the mighty wiki.

Purdue football is under new leadership in first year head coach Danny Hope. I don't know about you, but he gives me a good feeling about the future.

With a new coach came more offensive balance. The team averages 135 rushing yards per game and 248 through the air. More telling are the 318 rushing attempts versus 365 passing attempts to date. Also scary is the 80% scoring efficiency in the red zone, 70% being td's. That is well above the league average and an important reason to keep the special teams under control. If you give this team a short field they will score. That score will likely be a TD.

Running back Ralph Bolden has the most carries by far. I wouldn't be at all surprised, however, to see Jaycen Taylor make a play or two today. He is a senior on his way out the door and has shown some bursts in the past.

Joey Elliot is apparently the QB for purdue. He has pretty good numbers. I have to think I haven't heard much about him because of the rough start Purdue had, at 1-5. He does throw interceptions, with 13 ints to 16 tds, and the team has lost 14 fumbles. The turnovers are a big reason for the slow start. Someone needs to warn this kid what keeping that 'y' on the end of your name can do for a career.

MSU has 338 rushing attempts for 138 yards per game and 335 passing attempts for 280 yards per game. MSU scores more points and gains more yardage than Purdue. MSU is 81% in red zone scoring but only 54% of those scores are td's. MSU has lost 7 fumbles and thrown a combined 8 int's. These numbers look good but MSU's defense has not created enough takeaways.

As we know -- followed closesly by the newspapers -- MSU plays multiple running backs and, for some inexplicable reason, still plays two qb's on occassion. Leggett could be the new Caulcrick. Baker and Caper are the shiftier two. I like Caper. There was a great write up (because I agreed with it = great) in last week's freep.

Kirk Cousins should take all the snaps at QB.

I like MSU getting healthy in the secondary once again. I like the balanced attack overall and the balanced attack within the running game if Leggett (5'11" 230lbs) continues to get carries alongside the smaller backs. I also like bacon and IPA's but I'm not sure how that figures into the equation.

The pizza!pizza! bowl is on the line. A rematch with CMU no doubt. Sounds like a win!win! scenario for someone, just not the spartans.

MSU - 33
Purdue - 24

Basketball Time, Kiddies

2009-11-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

It is probably about time to give my quick take on the upcoming season and give my early nominations for conference player, coach, and defensive player of the year.

I'll start by evaluating where I think the teams rank in terms of talent and where I think the teams will finish.

Talent:
1. MSU
2. Purdue
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Minnesota
6. Northwestern
7. Illinois
8 Penn State
9. Indiana
10. Wisconsin
11. Iowa

Finish:
1. Purdue
2. MSU
3. Ohio State
4. UM
5. Minnesota
6. Wisconsin
7. Illinois
8. Northwestern
9. Indiana
10. Penn State
11.
12. Iowa

Iowa is going to be really, really, painfully bad. They seriously could lose every game in conference unless some kid comes out of nowhere to provide about 35 points per game.

Wisconsin will overachieve with senior guards. Indiana will be much improved. Tubby will have Minny ready to play and there is plenty of guard leadership. Illinois, I don't know what will happen there. Ohio State will be a tough, versatile team. I don't see much consistency but I see spurts of frustratingly hot offense and stingy defense.

As the 3 pt ball goes, so go Northwestern and Michigan. Although, Michigan will have some experienced go to players and could decide the B10 with a few upsets. Northwestern adds a talented true freshman from Chi in Drew Crawford to help Coble (who appears to have injured his foot in practice, no indication of how badly). If healthy, NW will be an older than average team with a few decent pieces.

Player of the year: Evan Turner, OSU
Coach of the year: Painter, Purdue (for winning the conference)
Defensive player of the year: Kramer, Purdue or Johnson, Purdue
Jerk of the year: Bo diddly Ryan
Breakout POY: Roe, MSU
Freshman of the year: DJ Richardson, Ill

I see Purdue coming in with a chip on their shoulder and, more importantly, healthy. Purdue will take advantage of an injury riddled MSU team, inconsistent but talented UM and OSU teams, and hold off the upset teams of MN and NW. Purdue will be really good if JuJuan Johnson decides to be a complete player. He is a beast. If he decides to be a defensive stopper Purdue is legit. They lose a few in conference, 4 maybe, with likely losses against UM, Wisc, MSU, and perhaps a shocker to a pesky NW or PSU.

I see 5 legitimate sweet sixteen teams in the B10, including MSU, Purdue, OSU, MN, and UM. At least one more will likely get in, with Illinois or Northwestern being the most likely candidate. By seasons end, despite struggles and frustration due to injuries and a lack of chemistry early, MSU will still be the best, deepest, most experienced team. Plus the Izzo factor.

MSU v WMU

2009-11-07T03:18:00.000-08:00

The highlight of the day today may be the tailgate. Check that, it definitely will be the tailgate.

MSU is reeling. The losses this year have been heartbreaking, last second, and at times unbelievable. With the exception of the WI game -- a thorough whooping that looked closer than it really was by the end -- all of the losses were either bad bounces or stupid mistakes.

Today provides a real chance for, well, nothing. You HAVE to beat WMU. I mean hell, ummm beat WMU. Winning is expected, a loss would be a huge blow, a close game would be like a loss.

I would like to make jokes about Western but I have no idea who plays there, what students do, or what famous alum has made an ass of him/herself. They have a rival from what I understand. It is also a directional school. But here is the funny part, oh man are you gonna love this, it is not eastern michigan. No. This wacky and unpredictable school has a rivalry with central michigan, a team with no natural predators/rivals, with the exception of little known Periphery Michigan University. Rivalries require competitive teams. PMU is always on the outside looking...terrible.

Greg Jennings was good. He is in Green Bay. I can't name another player. Fine, Tim Hiller.

The mascot is buster bronco. Doesn't he coach BYU?

The WMU wiki page has 2 sentences under "Student Life." Seems about right. Under "Health Services" it just says "Penicillin."

An alum was a founder of the Food Network. Congrats. 10% of your work is watchable.

Luther Vandross. You know what? Good job on that one. Truly.*

However, offset by having 2 (two) American Idol Finalists.**

I think MSU can run the ball, with ease, against the smaller bronco dline. I don't see a player on the roster over 275lbs. Strangely they seem to have a linebacker obsession. The roster lists 12 Linebackers. Maybe LB is the default setting on the media guide.

I think MSU can pass the ball, with relative ease, against western linebacker u. MSU has too many weapons capable of dropping passes to cover everyone.

After last week I am concerned with watching another QB chuck the ball up for grabs on every down. Hiller has a good arm. If WMU watched any film they will throw the ball deep on first down, no matter where they are on the field, and hope that we continue to play our zero pass break up defense. If that fails do the same thing on 2nd, 3rd, and --yes -- 4th downs.

MSU - 33

WMU - 17

* [relative] Win

** lose

** double balloon lose

Putting MN Away

2009-11-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be best to give the loss a few days, let the emotions fade, let reason fill the void.

Turns out I still feel pretty much the same as immediately after the loss.

Minnesota is the worst team MSU has lost to, or will lose to, this year. This is a bad, bad loss. This is likely Dantonio's first bad loss as head coach at MSU. MN is not a good football team. While you are busy trying to name one player not named Weber or Decker I'll quickly point out that it doesn't matter.

Of course had I described the loss immediately after the game I would have used (fine, did use) different wording. The idea is the same. There is one notable player on the MN team and he did not play last weekend.

Watching the game live the calls looked suspect. Watching them on replay they didn't look much better. Again, for at least the second time this season, you shouldn't be in a close game with a team like this. CMU is the same scenario and to some degree MSU had the ND game handed to them. CMU and MN had terrible calls and terrible reviews but calls shouldn't make the difference when you play these two teams.

The new TCF Bank Stadium is nice, the location is closer to campus, and the weather was clear. However, tailgating occurs at the State Fairgrounds and tailgaters are bussed in 8-10 minutes to the stadium. It would be like MSU offering tailgating only in commuter lot.

The fans were less than courteous...we were in the more alum less student area and saw dozens of people booing, laughing, and yelling through injury timeouts. Students will be students, but these were 30+ year olds. Minnesota nice my ass. Stay classy.

Also, every facet of the game is a financial transaction. Touchdowns are "6 more point IN THE BANK." A rough estimate for use of the word BANK!!! (not to be confused with bank) would require scientific notation. IN THE BANK!!!! 1. Clever, 2. Not at all annoying, 3. Corporate Whoring say what?

Finally, and the last of my rants, the announcement was made multiple times that the game was "a sellout." I guess they were referencing the actual fans and use of IN THE BANK for TCF Bank Stadium rather than ticket sales. There were more than patches of empty space. The place only holds 50,800 but there were at least 5,000 empty seats in large blocks with remaining empty seats scattered throughout the sections.

The biggest problem MSU had was defending the pass, if you can call them passes. At the game it looked too easy. Watching replays it was the same scenario every score. Lobs to WR's. Live it looked like there was too much air under each throw. It worked out brilliantly, at least against Marcus Hyde, who was picked on 90% of the time in his backup role. Every long pass was a jump ball, with the exception of a catch-fall-fumble-or-did-he-?-no-was-not-down-IN THE BANK!! Every result the same, TD MN.

I still have no idea why people are obsessed with K.Nichol. It seems more like the Lions fan* mentality than logic based. The guy behind us wanted Nichol to come in when Cousins didn't stretch during pregame to his liking. He of course did not reference any stretching stats or historical stretching trends, he is just a Nichol guy.

The highlight of the weekend was post game. As the reveling students/fans of MN gophered around the stadium after a rare win, with Halloween in the air, they got a little aggressive. Believe it or not -- scouts honor -- we did not say a word, did not taunt or harass anyone, and headed for our bus back to the ultimate tailgate parking lot somewhere east of Howell, MI. MN kids weren't having it and starting to yell, circle around, and become excessively gophery. Then it happened. The least likely candidate of our group took his foamy, fluffy, MSU labeled seat cushion and played whack a gopher.

I missed it. I probably would have died laughing had I seen it, but by the time I knew what was going on it had escalated. I was a peace maker. Things settled and we were on our way. Only later did I learn of the seat-cushion-upside-the-head move that was employed.

Think hard. Is there anything more degrading? Seriously. It is like being hit with licorice only on some level worse.**From what I was told it was placed upside the back of said gopher's head and wasn't really all that hard. It sounded as if it would best be described as a corrective smack upside the head. With a fluffy seat cushion. Sort of like the 10 years later version of holding a smaller person back with a palm to the forehead.

The added humor is that this kid was probably 21, 22 and had a whole group of friends. We were not exactly rolling in big numbers. The guy was big enough to do something, or at least try to, and instead takes his seat cushion warning and backpedals yelling. Son, you were just hit in the head in a manner that was not physically injurious but without question was extremely embarrassing. Perhaps in context, considering this may have been the least embarrassing thing to happen to you that day, I should give you a pass. However, I hope your friends make you relive that moment for years. You need to have some self respect. Instead you were put in timeout and said "mm, mohkay." The loss faded away and I laughed as hard and long as I have in a long, long time.

*see: the backup QB is the most popular player on the team

** worse than licorice because it was still warm and only recently retrieved from below his backside

Minny-

2009-10-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

We are off to newly built, open air, Minnesota-Nice stadium despite logic and weather reports. This trip will not involve a stay at the Monte Carlo, but we'll get by.

For those of you that aren't familiar with my last MSU sports related trip to Minneapolis I'll briefly fill you in. In 2001 the MSU men's basketball team made yet another final four run (3rd year in a row) and my friend and I won the lottery for tickets. We left with about $80 in cash each and our charm.

Of course we had no accommodations lined up, but we were confident we would run into someone we knew and would crash on their floor. We ended up staying at the luxurious 4 star* Monte Carlo. Think leather recliners, individual climate control** and in wall sound system. It was newly built in 1996.

To be exact it was a 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, red, w/ black leather interior. We, of course, did not have blankets, sleeping bags, or feeling in our extremeties.

The 2009 trip will not involve sleeping in a car if I can help it. I am looking forward to seeing the new stadium but also planning to stay out of the weather as long as possible. The forecast: cloudy with a chance of arctic.

The Minn football team has a problem. Decker, the all american and B10 leading receiver, is out. For the year. The offense will have to find new weapons as Decker was the offense. Think Ringer x 2.

I am a little concerned about what comes next. If the game plan and schemes change significantly this week it will obviously be tough to scout and may take the first half to adjust to. It is a tough draw either way because a week from now there will be tape on the new Minn offense. With Decker healthy he is a very, very tough matchup but you know what you are getting. This is almost worse.

I still like MSU, setting aside any weather related fumbles or flukes, to win the game. The defense has looked better in recent weeks and the offense has done just enough to stay in each game. I like the linebackers to wrap up and contain the sideline to sideline running attack and the db's to limit the stretch passing game. Special teams kick returns could be the best shot for Minn to hit quickly.

I like:

MSU - 23
MN -- 14

*crash rating

**dual climate control while running. single out of control climate while not running.

ALSO

2009-10-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

In the latest installment of "Why we suck as a Network: The BTN story" we were treated to a nice conversation about how the commentator has a short tie and his preference for sweater vests over regular vests, as well as the bickering brother antics of those two favorite rascals, Gerry DiNardo and Glen Mason. Boy do I love self promotion of terribly overplayed contrived rivalries. For those of you familiar with John Clayton and Sean Salisbury on Four Downs or Skip Bayless and anyone who sits across the table on First and Ten you understand. I totally buy that they hate each other and disagree on everything.

This nice bit of information was provided during the injury timeout, sometime between the actual hit and 45 seconds later when the flag came in. The only reason we didn't go to commercial, one must presume, is because BTN ran out of things to mix with Rotel. Be careful kids, 32 commercials about Rotel in one game can lead to such antics. We can also presume that they ran out of "look how awesome and edgy the BTN is" commercials, too.

I think we should put together a bracket, NCAA basketball syle, for all the promotions and networks on television [worth noting]. I'm pretty sure that the Snuggie would eliminate BTN in the first round. Sadly I don't think it would be close.

The good news? The Spartans are on the BTN yet again this week. Look out XFL fans and Gopher historians. Gerry DiNardo and Glen Mason are BACK. And this time, its personal.*

*Personal does not mean watchable and may in fact come off as kitschy. Void where prohibited including Guam, Quebec, and Puerto Rico. The program and network cannot be redeemed for any cash value and may in fact require payment for any attempted redemption.

Iowa is a four letter word

2009-10-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

There are so many things worth discussing about this game that I simply cannot get to all of them, but I'll hit what I feel are the high points.

1. This game will go down as a great battle, which it was, but I don't know that it was a great game. I enjoy a pitcher's duel, a defensive battle if you will, but this was partly defensive dominance and partly offensive ineptitude. I believe that it will be remembered as a great game because of the old boxing truism; win the last 30 seconds and you win the judges. The fans were excited for the last four minutes and will remember it as a classic.

2. The personal foul call did not lose the game -- although the two offside penalties may have -- but it surely didn't help. Iowa was pinned deep and would have been looking at a 3rd and long had the flag not been thrown. After the ref watched the replay. After a legal hit. The receiver turned up field, dropped his head, and the defender blasted him in the upper shoulder. The hit may have rolled up into the helmet, but it was the offensive player that made that possible. He was not defenseless. Twice this year we've been hit by bad, bad personal foul calls.

3. There are all sorts of clever sayings for the prevent defense. It only prevents you from winning being the most common. I tend to disagree. However, Iowa does not have a deep threat. Don't worry about changing things up. Do what you have been doing.

4. I am upset that the final pass play did not have safety help and that the corner did not take away the slant, making the QB throw the much tougher fade or out and giving the blitz more time to apply pressure. I'm not mad about the result so much. How many plays from inside the 6 can we truly hope to stop in one game? I mean, we held strong on at least two goal line possessions.

5. I will call it the Hook and Ladder. I know that the hook and lateral makes more sense. I like to think of a ladder fire truck, reaching out a certain distance initially before providing a platform for the extended second portion of the ladder. Plus the yard markers make nice rungs. In any event, the play hardly ever works because you know it is coming. 99.99% of the time it is the last play of a game. BUT, if you run it with 2+ minutes left on a 3rd down (rather than another obvious trickeration down) it is brilliant. It was executed almost perfectly. I'll say almost because, as I've discussed with a few people since the game, Caper was trailing White and could have taken a block from White to score sooner. Who knows if it makes any difference.

What is most upsetting about the game is that Iowa is not that good. The lines are far superior to MSU's lines, and the starting TE is better than any of MSU's TE's, but other than that MSU is better at nearly every skill position. MSU is deeper and better at QB, RB, LB, and deeper at least at TE. This team is not as good as Penn State overall and not as good on defense as OSU. The MSU defense looked stout against the terrible Iowa offense with the exception of one bad series, where Iowa was wide open for 11 yard pass after 11 yard pass somewhat by design.

Bad calls were a factor. A much greater factor was jumping offsides twice on hard counts (one on a 3rd and 5) and DROPPED PASSES primarily at tight end. Sims dropped two that hit his hands. One would have kept a drive alive and killed the clock. The other would have set up a 3rd and very short, opening up a shot down field to Cunningham or White. The drops were, in my mind, the biggest reason Iowa was even in the game.

MSU Iowa

2009-10-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the season I thought Iowa had the best lines on both sides of the ball. I wasn't sure how they would answer the running back question and what sort of pressure the defensive line would get on the qb, but it terms of getting pushed around, these boys are big and strong.

That said, Iowa is not a great or explosive team. Stanzi is pretty solid at QB and getting better with experience. I really think this is a chance for MSU's safeties and corners to pump up the interception numbers. While they have been solid against the various spread offenses the last few weeks there haven't been many opportunities to pick off passes. When you throw the ball 8 yards or less on 80% of your passes there aren't many chances. Add in the fact that you can't gamble and jump a route because everyone is so compact on defense (miss one tackle and there is no help deep) and the Northwestern style spread makes you play on your heels. I like MSU to get two interceptions Saturday night.

In terms of the night game talk, I'm not sure what to think. The fans love it. The running backs love it. I'm not sure how Cousins will react. I do like that Nichol appears to be out for this game. His footwork would be nice against this Iowa line but I don't like his tendency to just make a throw to make a throw. You can't take risks against Iowa because they are disciplined on defense and wait for you to beat yourself.

Not sure if I missed the update this week but it appears Nichol might have given us the first true diagnosis since the arm injury. It looked like a dislocation after watching the replay but Dantonio gave no information. Nichol gave no information at first but the LSJ recently wrote:

MSU's trainers have told him "I'm healing faster than they've ever seen a dislocation heal."

I like MSU to get the upset, surprise people with a pretty good running game, and hold the Iowa passing game in check. Iowa will get some yardage on the ground but MSU wins the turnover battle and the game.

MSU - 27
Iowa - 13

Northwestern MSU

2009-10-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Northwestern Wildcats come to town for MSU homecoming with an upset in mind. Northwestern used the spread offense to keep defenses on their heals in the mid '90's. Now they use the clock. Northwestern averages almost twice as many plays from scrimmage as their opponents. Its a race to get to the line, snap, run the play, and get back to the line.

This scheme comes natural to NU players. They've been doing it since, what, 3rd grade chess club.

Think about it. Make a decision, make the move, punch the clock. It's like speed chess. This would explain why Pat Fitzgerald has been seen recruiting the North Avenue Beach and Chess Pavilion. Sure, some of these kids won't work out 11 years down the road, what with being 128 lbs in their senior year, but some will work out.

Take Shane Pluto Wilmet, a 6th grader from Schaumburg, IL, who has been watched by NU since 2nd grade. He has great clock times, has a 96% winning percentage since turning park pro, and obviously has the potential to be, well, "husky." This is his latest recruiting shot:

There are some questions as to how Shane will do in a standing position or how a helmet will change his speed and accuracy. But the writing on the wall is becoming more clear. Wildcat offense?! I don't think so. Think Giuoco Piano with a side of King's Gambit. WildChessCat Offense.

MSU - 34

NU -- 20

I am the Best Attorney Ever Recorded

2009-10-15T17:03:00.001-07:00

Or at least the best in the last 25 years.

I would like to point out that no one keeps these records so that was based on an estimate. I did, somewhat verifiably, set my own personal best.

And this only supports my first instinct. RRod is a lying, cheating, do whatever you have to do and say whatever you have to say jerkface. He is driven, probably good at what he does, but doesn't seem to know boundaries. As one former B10 coach described him:

"a wizard hat wearing snake oil salesman."

Tell us how you really feel.

If you missed the latest RRod factoid to be filed in the "he's a dbag" file it was this. While under fire for breaking NCAA practice rules he cried, lied, and denied. One lie among many was with regard to his team GPA. Something to the effect of "the best GPA in 25 years" and "the best ever recorded" at ummm. Not once, but multiple times he touted the recent acomplishments of his team in the classroom.

Turns out he lied to the wrong people. Turns out when you are under fire from the press you shouldn't make things up. Turns out FOIA allows you to request documents from public offices, like a public university athletic department, that might just get you called out later on.

When that damned media made a FOIA request to find out, oh I don't know, the actual GPA data RRod would have needed to make such a claim, it didn't exist. At least that is what the response was. To which RRod stated "it was an estimate." Ballsy estimate fella.

Don't let facts get in the way. Don't let the truth, rules, or ethics get in the way.

Um Wrap up

2009-10-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Someday, theoretically, my attitude Sunday -- Wednesday won't depend on the result of a college football game. Basketball is more intense but games are played more frequently, so there are chances for redemption. Football is longer lasting.

What a beautiful week eh? Dreary outside, rain off and on, cold and blowing. The leaves haven't really changed yet and work is, well, work. Beautiful.

If you haven't heard there is a bit of a to do regarding a Dantonio radio interview with WJR AM radio in Detroit. To provide some context MSU signed a radio contract with WJR to carry MSU sports after about 1.4 jillion years of covering ummm sports. WJR's staff includes about 94% ummm junkies and apologists.

Dantonio was on the radio and had answered about the 3rd question in a row about what Michigan did and what Michigan didn't do and finally threw it back in the [admitted umm fan] DJ's face:

“I must tell you, the look on State fans’ faces when we were going into overtime was almost that resigned look of ‘oh, no, here we go again. I cannot believe, we dominated this game … ’”

“Well, Paul, hold on a second,” Dantonio said. “Because the look I saw on Michigan’s faces were ‘oh, no, the Spartans beat us again.’ That’s the look I saw.”

He also downplayed the comeback by recalling stating "Forcier...did play good for about 5 minutes..." but added that MSU dominated for the rest of the game.

Exactly. Exactly what I was thinking all Saturday night, Sunday morning, and through yesterday as the talk was about Forcier this and Forcier that. Yes he's a frosh qb. Yes he has done some great things. They lost. He threw the interception. Ummm got the benefit of every call, every miscue, and some freshman heroics and still lost.

The biggest story of the year so far, in my mind, is the loss of Jenrette. I think this defense was missing two things: a pass rush and a big hitter at safety. Jenrette provided the latter and he will be missed. If a corner can't cover a receiver at the very least he should be thinking about the enormous hit he is going to take from the safety. It only takes one good knock early to have the receivers looking downfield before they catch the ball. Hopefully he returns before the Penn State game.

**************************
uhh, Go Tigers?? (5:04 pm on TBS and ESPN radio)
**************************

The Ill-noise team that MSU faces this week is no joke. Starting qb juice williams has been benched but the team remains dangerous. I like MSU to run, run, run the ball to keep the big Ill wide receivers off the field. I like the MSU tight ends to finally show up this week, and I like the MSU linebackers to continue to play big against a scrambling, athletic, desperate group of fighting...orange things.

This Ill team is a perfect example of RonZook as a coach. Look at Florida. He recruited about 75% of the kids that won the national championship soon after he was booted. He came to Illinois and got some kids, some big recruits with a good deal of talent and potential, and proceeded to make them worse. He is not a coach. He is a recruiter. Juice Williams is a senior and is now worse than he was as a Sophomore. There is no running game and the athletes are being out athleted. The real question is: Can Illinois find a decent x+o coach in the next year or so before the talent runs out?

MSU -- 30
Ill ----- 17

That call is terrible: part 2

2009-10-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

The "hit to the head" on little man taint was NOT a hit to the head. Not even close. Terrible.

THAT CALL IS TERRIBLE

2009-10-03T11:26:00.001-07:00

That late hit call, from this POS ref that has called a TON of bad calls. Fumble gets it back but What the Hell? This guy has money on the game.

Also, I was growing rather tired of the "just settle on a qb" and "pick a guy...rythm...blah blah" talk this last week. But watching this fiasco of playing Nichol pisses me off. Just play Cousins. If he isn't in the rest of the game we had better find out he broke his ankle on that scramble. Otherwise this is a joke.

btn

2009-10-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you, again, BTN, for helping me miss the long pass from Nichol coming off commercial. Again I was able to add to the list of products I will never again consider buying.

Also, the Nichol throw to Gannt that did not connect showed Nichol getting nailed in the head after the play, like a punch, which isn't surprising for a ummmm player.

No matter, Winston down the sideline for a TD. I don't think anyone wanted to get in the way.

My two cents:

umm is trying to run the ball because Forcier's shoulder is worse than we think. There is no way you don't throw the ball on us. Short throws to the wide side and runs aren't ideal against the Spartans. ummm knows that. They can't throw the ball from where I sit.

Shootout Schmootout

2009-10-03T10:14:00.001-07:00

Thank you BigTen network, for helping us miss 2 full plays. That commercial was important. Otherwise I wouldn't know what product to hate for being associated with your network.

And as I suspected the "first team to score 80 wins" logic falls to the side. How often have we seen it? Previously MIA defenses appear for the first time and we have a 10-6 halftime score.

I don't like a few things about this game but the score is not one of them.

Cousins looks good. Cunningham and White look good. Winston is bound to break one, and I like Caper in there to mix things up. Time of possession looks great. Defense held up after a tipped ball interception inside the 30.

DB's are giving up the 3-5 yard pass play too easily. Not hitting the qb enough. Too many penalties, and penalties that could have been called. Michigan bounces a kick off the upright. Michigan helmets are ugly.

Gameday

2009-10-03T02:50:00.000-07:00

It is 5:50 am.

Davey has been up for 3.5 hours, despite the fact that the commute today will be about 16 minutes rather than an hour.

Sam, yes Sam, is up and already out the door. Muscle memory has obviously been taken to a new level as we all know she is still sleeping, mentally.

My dog is awake. "See I'm here, I'm up! Where are we going? What are we doing? Do you need some help? Unless you aren't staying up, then I'm not up either. In that case I'm going back to sleep. Are we going back to sleep? I'm fine with going back sleep. No? Staying up, good, that's what I wanted."

Somewhere my hat is lonely and cold.

*********************************

I don't know what to think about the game today. This Spartan team can score enough points to win. If the kicking game (coverage and returns) can make a big play or two, the turnovers are kept under control, and the defense can make ONE BIG PLAY -- just one fumble recovery for a score or a timely interception -- and the safeties hit hard and the defensive ends bring pressure and pain this game could honestly be an MSU walkaway. But it won't be.

I am still not sold that MSU can run the ball when it wants to. Winston had a nice week but isn't the shifty kind of back that keeps plays alive. He gets what he is supposed to, maybe 10% more on the end of a run.

Ringer got extra at the beginning, middle, and end of runs. He was strong and agile. Winston is more Duckett like. Good after he gets a head of steam and a punishing finisher. That doesn't work when the offensive line is banged up and the ball carrier gets hit in the backfield. I like the Caper/Winston duo. I also like whatever running back holds on to the ball in this rainy weather.

Ummm has a knack for sucking the linebackers and safeties up to the line, making a crease, and then the running back is gone. They basically make you spy TaintForcy-eh?, make you focus on the edges, and run short enough routes 90% of the time that your corners and safeties end up pressing at the line. When your defense is a total of 10' deep it doesn't take much to break one.

No matter what the "facts" and "statistics" and "reality" might tell us about this Spartan team I cannot pick against them. Can't do it.

MSU - 28
umm - 25

AA tailgates = cheese and whine

2009-10-02T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ok. "Spartan Bob" stopped the clock prematurly, after about 8 terrible umm penalties kept the game alive, and no one covered TJ Ducket. MSU won. And all these years later we are still talking about it. Frank Beckman and Jim Brandfatter cried that day and wake up crying everyday, not just about that situation, but about every call that results in an ummm loss.

Why does no one bring up the fact that ummm is the Duke basketball of Division I football? Lloyd would cry, whine, and pout -- like all coaches do -- but then the call would actually change for ummm. Then, when a call doesn't get changed "michigan has been wronged."

And what about the calls that they just get, without needing to cry? Do you hear them complaining? No, you just hear Brandfatter mouth breathing and inhaling a donut.

Take last week at Indiana. Gift wrapped calls, especially an obvious one (tie goes to the offensive player), are the norm for ummm. Its pretty sad that it takes a terrible, horrible call in a home game against a freakishly bad team to squeak out a last minute win.

MSU had a TD taken away last year on a bad call against umm. No crying there.

ummm player punches ND player in face. No call, no ejection, no recognition for snake-oil-salesman of the month. Replay in same game overturns ND TD. Wrong call.

Just sayin, shut up already about the clock.

ummm week

2009-10-01T13:07:00.001-07:00

I want more than anything to talk all sorts of trash, and working off the assumptions of one month ago, I had plenty of material ready. However, it is hard to say too much with a defense this bad.

Potential Problems:

1. the other team running the ball

2. the other team passing the ball

3. the other team playing offense

Potential Bright Spots:

1. hitting a scambling QB so hard he needs smelling salts, now called TimTebowing the QB

2. hitting any wide receiver that runs an end around or slant so hard he leaves not only the game, but the conference

3. knowing their coach is still a weasely weiner*

4. making signs w/ Little Man Tate and Taint written on them

5. picking this week to come out of a funk and help fight UWWA**

6. being one week closer to basketball season

Here are two of my favorite WVU signs:

*Will he wins games? yes
Will he ever be a winner? please

**Unfounded Walmart Wolverine Arrogance

My Missing Hat: Day 147

2009-10-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

I have decided to turn the status of my hat from misplaced to stolen. I have also decided that I will write about this hat everyday until the masses unite to complete the world's first hat search party.

The hat is green with white script "State" across the front and a white Spartan helmet across the fitted back.

A very expensive and high tech program* was used to render an updated image of the hat. It has been aged to represent what it would look like today.

If you have infomation about the location of this hat please contact the Francis Gazette. The high end retailer that originally offered this item, Lids, no longer sells this item. Most new options are "so girl who wears a skirt as a shirt."

*Microsoft Paint 1.0 (is there another version?)

Wisconsin wrap up

2009-09-28T05:28:00.001-07:00

Let the Nichol for Governor talk begin. After coming in late Keith Nichol scored two td's to pull the Spartans within 8. I'm sure that we will hear in this week how Nichol can, and should be the starter. I like Nichol and think he could be good with some additional instruction, but I don't think the qb position is the reason we are losing.

Think about this:
- MSU leads the BigTen in passing yards per game at 320 per
- Cousins is third in the BigTen in passer rating, at 147.6 (among those w/ the minimum number of attempts)
- Blair White is fourth in the BigTen in receiving yards per game

And all of this despite:
- MSU 10th in Rushing Yards per game
- MSU 8th in points allowed per game
- MSU is 7th in yards allowed per game
- MSU is LAST in passing yards allowed per game

Cousins and Nichol provide good material for an academic discussion. It is fairly clear that making a change at qb does not change the outcome of any game played so far. Cousins has 2 int's on 104 attempts. Nichol has 2 int's on 42 attempts. Unless Nichol is going to play safety (which, along with no pass rush, is my take on the terrible pass defense) nothing will change.

If Nichol does get a start, or even the starting job, I won't be upset. I guess my point is, no matter who is playing under center, 30 points is enough to win games. Nichol can score 30+. Cousins can score 30+. The defense has to come up with turnovers, sacks, and stops or it won't matter.

ND Thoughts

2009-09-23T04:15:00.000-07:00

To the critics of Cousins, I couldn't agree with Dantonio more. He played a very solid game. Dropped passes, dropped interceptions, and lack of a solid running game were the biggest problems, and until the last two throws (the overthrow and the interception on the goal line) he drove right down the field. My guess is ND fans were not terribly comfortable during the last 3 minutes, watching Cousins move the ball downfield with ease.

I'll also add what Dantonio won't say. If you score 30 points you should win. The defense made just as many if not more mistakes than the offense, and with one stop or one interception could have closed out the game. I know that ND puts up points, or has thus far, but 30 is enough to win if you play defense.

With Floyd out for the year and Clausen with turf toe this will look like a bad loss later in the year. The chances of a high ranking at season's end are not good. OSU is off the schedule and the team enters big ten play 1-2. The only thing that matters now is running the big ten schedule and hoping to have a convincing win against PSU to end the season (in East Lansing).

MSU ND wrapup

2009-09-20T04:48:00.000-07:00

It is a tough pill to swallow (and I'm glad I didn't watch it live) to see a winning drive snuffed out so close to a season turning win. But after this last weekend I am confident this team can turn it around anyways, with a LOT of work on two things.

1. pressure from the d-line

2. better deep coverage at the corners

Seeing the replay of missing a WIDE OPEN Caper in the endzone is heartbreaking. Knowing that, had you not been blocked on an extra point, you win the game with a field goal. Too many close calls and one really, really big mistake (throwing an interception on 2nd down with plenty of time and inside the 20) were the difference.

The Caper replay just ran again on the news. It looked like one of those moments where, as a basketball player, you're wide open for the game winner and you almost can't believe how open you are. You start thinking, "am I really this open?" and "is this real...something isn't right." Meanwhile you get caught between doing what you've been practicing since you were 6 -- just shoot the damn thing and win the game -- and second guessing what in the hell is going on. Then you chuck up an air ball on some awkward, off balance, halfway between a jumpshot and a 22' skyhook mess of a shot. Although Cousins throw wasn't that ugly that was the scenario. Big eyes, disbelief, overthrow.

His eyes got big. No one can blame him. The interception was bad, but again, he looked like a veteran QB all day long. I can't blame the kid for a couple things when, to be honest, he looked really good. Nichol should be done.

The defense was up and down. Some good run stops and the first sack on Clausen this year (1 sack: 1 injury ratio not looking good for emu resiliency) were good. The coverage at the corners (including the real game clincher -- the dropped, gift wrapped interception) was weak at best. I will say the "game of inches" thing applies because at least the corners were in the highlights. Each time it was a matter of inches between batting the ball and a ND receiver jumping into our band. Which, by the way, is ohhh sooo classsy.

Things don't get any easier going to Wisconsin, home for ummm, and on the road to Illinois. I still think MSU can win the BigTen. I mean that. We play Michigan at home, Penn State at home, and OSU is off the schedule. OSU doesn't look that good anyways. If we win at Wisconsin, control CT Lil Man Tate*, and keep Juice in the pocket MSU can be 3-0 before the schedule eases up for a while.

Then again the opposite could be true. Wisconsin could run the ball and chew up clock, punting and throwing to the tight ends 11 times per quarter and kicking a 3ft field goal on every possession, winning 18-14 or something. Followed by ummm and iLL scrambling and rambling to wins. In the sophisticated words of our peers: it could continue to suck.

I see a big win against Wisconsin, by two + scores.

State Budget

2009-09-20T04:32:00.001-07:00

Before I address the game -- I missed the whole 4th quarter and was kept up to date by texts -- I have to talk about this budget mess in Michigan.

Everyone wants cuts. No one wants to pay taxes. We'll begin with that premise. But ask "what do you want to cut?" and no one really knows. "Uh, taxes...I pay too many taxes."

Do you want State Police/Firemen laid off? "No."

Do you want less snow removal from our roads? "No."

Do you want schools to have less money? "No."

Do you want Secretary of State offices to be open less? "No."

What about Family Independence money? "Can't cut that."

What about mental health services? "No, already underfunded."

So...

The latest article reads:

"The GOP Senate majority already has passed bills cutting $1.2 billion out of the $20 million general fund and school aid budgets, eliminating a popular college scholarship program and early childhood education programs and cutting monthly payments to the needy and mental health services."

Ok. To the extent there are things to cut, fat to trim, etc, it does NOT include early childhood education or mental health. I'm sorry, but if anything we could save millions of dollars, billions in short order, by treating mental health problems rather than putting people in prison for 30 years. Crime, unemployment, and emergency care costs would decrease if we treated mental health correctly.

Cutting early childhood programs? Really? College scholarships, ok. It really doesn't amount to much anyways, I mean, in the scheme of things. What is it $4000 max? Finance that over 20 years with the rest of your $60,000 education and I'm sure your payment will go up about $19. You cannot cut early childhood programs. One of the best programs I've listened to in quite some time should be mandatory listening, at least to the extent it applies to this discussion.

So where should we go? I'm not paid to know exactly what should be cut and how we should pay for what we keep. We can't start with the premise that taxes are a bad thing unless we are ready to give up basic services. To the extent people are comfortable with no police or fire protection and no basic infrastruture or public services, ok. You've thought it through and feel comfortable doing it on your own. To the extent you just "hate taxes" but want all the benefits, you are a moron.
______________________________________________

Integrity

2009-09-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

RichRod has none. Supporting evidence item number 3,238:

1. Act like it didn't happen.
2. Act like it was "two players tangled up" rather than a cheap shot.
3. Let the BigTen suspend him rather than handling it in house.

Win or lose I am pretty sure we know what would happen around here should something similar happen.

http://freep.com/article/20090918/SPORTS06/90918063/1319/U-M-LB-suspended-over-punch

CMU Wrap Up, ND "Hate Week"

2009-09-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

So I decided to do a running blog last week. Great timing, as you might have noticed. I did just the first and fourth quarters mostly. I've edited out some harshness but left about 99% of it.

Cousins VERY solid on first pass. Tight throw in a tight slot. Caper is solid, but Caulton Ray reads blocks solidly. CMU too small. Tight Ends too big for the CMU line. MSU can RUN ALL DAY.
COUSINS can throw the ball. Blair White is one hell of a hard working QB. No kidding he is about to be in the NFL. Late round sleeper pick or a practice squad signee. Hard worker. No wasted motion. Speed. Best hands at MSU since Charles Rogers . Clean drug tests.
Bad challenge. Hands under the ball. TD MSU (in Blaha voice).
Bad call on the review. He had possession AS HE HIT THE ENDZONE. It was not a catch at the 1 and down, but a bobble and catch IN the endzone.

No matter. CMU line weak. TD C.Ray. Boaters everywhere rejoice.
7-0 MSU
Sidebar: MSU needs to not only win week to week, but needs to make statements. This is off year for the Rose Bowl. We still need to show our excitement and skill level to sell ourselves for bowl games.

Back to the game. Nice little flop throw to the TE for tHE fEVER. My gay uncle throws harder (does not exist). Nice comeback throw by LeFevour. Good cover by Rucker. Played perfectly on both sides.

Screen works. What did I say? Don’t over pursue. Watch the screen and draws…
Tipped ball might have been a lateral and a fumble. No one says a word. I wonder.
Good fight from the CMU TE to break 3 tackles and get the first down.
This is a matter of time. CMU is undersized and throw happy. Stuffed on the first run in 9 plays.
Nice throw on the run for LFVR. Big hit to knock it free. Advice to LFVRRRR: Do not let Jones hit you.
7-3 MSU
Winston breaks a little runback. He has a lot to prove. I won’t really get into the specifics.
1. Bad throw by Cousins. 2. Blair White catches it. 3. W/Blair White I would look like Marino.
I look for Nichol soon, although, Cousins is sharp. I just look to shake it up if I’m a coach and make things more difficult on the DE’s. Different cadence, voice, and count plus a little more hesitation on the QB scramble threat. This dual threat is a good thing so long is there is no controversy.
Perfect throw to White and THICK DOUBLE coverage finally makes a last second stop. White stripped on the way down. Still solid.
Wally Pipp reference in re CMU running back. Dedicated to DP.
tHEfEVER throw is sidearm. Re-evaluating NFL material status.
Good play and even better tackle by CMU on the immediate end around. End in motion and direct handoff snuffed out. Caulton Ray short run. I really see BIG runs later in the game from the early pounding. CMU too small.
Perfect throw. Not sure if a catch and fumble (tie to receiver) or incomplete. If they challenge it is probably a TD. TBD.
On review, from my angle, either a TD (or no possession/control) or incomplete (no one has possession in bounds). Percent chance of a TD: 0.00%
Swenson money. Hanson replacement? Hopefully.
10-3 MSULeFevour is fast and has pretty good feet. He turns the corner and gets just inside the market. 1st down CMU. End of 1st quarter.

END OF FIRST
I was going to skip the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Nichol just threw the ball from his hips and missed a wide open receiver for a TD. Wide open. Would have been 60+ yards. WHY throw from your hip, and, there was virtually no pressure. Why?
That said: Nichol is both quick and fast. That doesn’t happen often.
Hmm. And strong. 9 yard complete bs scramble.
Again, don’t want to spend too much time between the 1st and 4th, but that CMU field goal was close. In terms of atomic bomb range, close. Close for Helen keller. Close as in “I almost went to Harvard Law” close.
Also. Complete effing horsehockey on the personal foul call. He’s a football player not a cheerleader.
Wow. “late shot” my ass. That said nice drive and nice toss. TD CMU.
START OF FOURTH
Nice run by Ray to start the 4th. I agree with the commentators, for once, and think Cousins has more control Nichol is more of a “wild card” on offense.
You have to dominate CMU on the O line. There is no question. Too much time on the field for the CMU offense and not enough time grinding the CMU defense. I’ll go back to disagreeing with the commentators who said “don’t think he got it” to say “he got it, clearly, moron.”
Gantt gets hung up on a false start because he knew he had an advantage. But Cunningham (my favorite receiver last year) goes wide and caps a clock killing drive. Now the D needs a 3 and out to show why the MAC is the MAC.
Commentator: “people like to question LeFevour’s arm strength.” I don’t. I question whether he molests children. Seriously, look at him.
Woah woah woah. One ref is 6 inches past the first down marker and one is 2 feet behind it. Third ref determines no measurement. First down. Uh, ok.
Nice call for a screen, unless the other team has “I’m GREG JONES.”
Rucker gets runs again. The spot is sketchy. Short of a first down. Challenge?
Measurement says first down. Probably a good call either way.
How about a pick six…
Wow. How about if the guy keeps his feet in it’s a TD? Good toss to a wide open man, but no dice.
TD CMU. Not sure how you don’t get more pressure on such a small team, but nice toss. Under review.
TD CMU.
Wow. CMU kicks a perfect onside kickoff, and with this kickers leg, look out. 21 seconds to go.
Pick…six...??
16 seconds to go. Don’t expect an Iowa situation. Iowa’s defensive line is impressive. MSU…is ok. At best.
Still need a big play.
Wow. 47-49 yard field goal on tap. This guy is certainly good enough to hit this, and as we’ve seen , good enough to keep it within 30 yards of a goal post.
For the record you shouldn’t have to “ice” a MAC kicker. Ever. That is uMichesque. RichRodBaggery, if you will.
Penalty pushes the ball 5 yards closer and makes this, in my mind, game.
Double icing a MAC kicker, because you have a Dlineman that can’t stay onside against a MAC team.
42 yard attempt. A high school kicker could make this, which means CMU has a chance. He did. Just lost to a shit team.CMU is pretty much the worst team MSU has lost to since, well, CMU.

________________________

The sad thing is that I like Dantonio's ability to adjust in game. When no real defensive adjustments or increased ball carrying occured, I started to wonder if that was the best we could expect. CMU is pretty ok but not that good. I wonder if all the hype of the specialty positions helped us ignore the fact that the lines are not so good, on either side of the ball.

We'll find out this week -- known as Hate Week to some, Hate Weak to others -- as ND rolls into town after losing the ummm.

I think both of these teams, MSU and ND, are unsure of what they want to be. Are we a passing team? Do we play defense and special teams and just not turn the ball over? God knows that we don't run the ball.

I look for a close game and a much improved MSU secondary. ND is different than CMU in that the QB won't be running around and the receivers are big, not shifty.

However, it might still come down to the fact that MSU hasn't been able to establish the running game against a good team. Or, for that matter, shut down the run and force the pass.

If MSU can:
1. Protect Cousins,
2. Run for 100+ yards before the 4th quarter, and
3. Come out even or +1 on turnovers I see an MSU squeaker.

If not: Ugly.

ND isn't that impressive on the ground or defensively, but I don't know that it takes much against our O-Line. The MSU secondary is better suited against this type of traditional passing attack, although the talent of the players lining up wide for ND is significantly better than CMU showed up. I really think it was a little bit matchup a little bit bad day, a little bit maybe this defense isn't so great [without Wiley at safety and a solid pass rush].

MSU - 28
ND --- 27

3 things

2009-09-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

1. Put JayZ, Common, and Kanye with Elton, Stevie, P.Floyd, and the like as the works of genius. Stop hating and listen. Don't hear. Listen.

2. If the Tiger bats can wake up it doesn't really matter what the 3 and 4 pitchers do. Verlander and Jackson are good enough, when the bats put up 4+ runs, to win any game. We can win any series against any team when the 1 and 2 do ok to good, and the 3 and 4 do just average.

3a. MSU is poised to make Michigan one of the top college football states in the country. Forget the resurgence of UCLA, Cal and the everpresent USC. Forget Miami, Florida State, and the powerhouse Gators. The Spartans and, well, that other team, could both be good to very great over the next 5 years. Of course depending on NCAA findings and the resulting penalties.

3b. Please, someone, no matter if you agree or disagree with the message, give some love for a US President that speaks English.

Week Two

2009-09-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

To wrap up last week's game versus Montana State University I'll say this. We don't really know much more than we did the friday before the game. Things we knew before the game that are still true:

1. The QB's are both pretty good (against a bad opponent at least).
2. The running backs are a work in progress, but there are plenty of horses in the stable.
3. The O-Line is a work in progress.
4. The defense could be really, really good this year with some fine tuning.
5. We need to get more interior pressure on the QB.

The only thing that was somewhat troubling was the play of Rucker at corner. I hope he just lost focus on his two pass interference calls and wasn't simply beat. I thought he would be really, really solid this year. If Montana State receivers can simply run by you deep...look out. It could be a long year on that side of the field, or it could be bench time for Rucker.

For my money you have to stick with Cousins. I agree tie goes to the guy who has been around longer. Also, in the event of a tie, I like the guy the players elected a captain. They see and listen to him daily, which has to be worth something.

Also, Cousins seems more poised. His footwork from under center looks quite awkward when compared to Nichol but his arm mechanics and accuracy seemed as good or better. I like the way Nichol can move in the pocket without giving up on the pass too soon (Stanton at times did that) and his ability to throw while moving without stopping to square up. That could lead to bad habits ie gunslinging/over-confidence in the future, but against teams where there is a great deal of pressure but solid linebacking to snuff out QB runs, it would be nice to be able to stay in the pocket but still avoid the sack.

I like the ability to run three or more backs per game. No one gets tired, everyone gets reps, keeps the defense guessing. It will come down to picking up in pass protection, a place where I see Ray and Baker excelling.

CMU 9/12/09

Although this would normally be a game to fear, I think MSU can handle this chip team. Dan THE FEVER is no doubt a solid QB, probably the best chance to be taken at a skill position in the first round of the draft in CMU history. However, MSU is strongest, on paper at least, at Linebacker and Defensive Back. That should keep his guessing and looking over his shoulder for corner blitzes and a stalking Greg Jones. You don't want to get hit by Jenrette or Jones, and I see some opportunity for Piano Man Misch to get some time this weekend at LB. If the defense contains and avoids big screen plays (by not overpursuing into the backfield agains the smaller defensive line) there is a good chance CMU scores less than 20 points. If the screens and draws break big plays look out. That would open up the field for LeFevour to throw the ball around, and in turn, tuck and run later in the game.

I would mention the CMU special teams success of the past against MSU but that was primarily under Bobby Williams and John L Smith. They aree currently...I don't know. Doing something else somewhere else, dugumit. Dantonio will not allow 4 blocked punts this season, let alone in one game. I also see a big game out of someone in the MSU return game, someone looking to make a name, see the field more, and crack the lineup at Running Back or Receiver.

MSU - 32
CMU - 13

Mixed Rants

2009-09-04T04:31:00.000-07:00

First I had to spend an unhealthy amount of time at the dentist this Wednesday. That was bad enough. Second, while waiting, I had to listen to other patients in other rooms. What is it with dentists not having doors on their rooms? I know what you're thinking:

So the ancient lady in the room next to me who apparently is all around brilliant (as she proceeded to argue with the dentist about the cause of her snoring. turns out its not her toothpaste) starts blabbering about health care. I have always taken these talking heads from the left and the right for what they're worth: nothing. I often wonder why people with political advisors and huge followings would say such stupid things (see: sarah palin = death panels). I mean, what positive can come from looking and sounding so stupid? Then this woman confirmed my worst fears.

"Obama wants the government to take over health care so he can kill all the seniors...I heard it on the news."

At first I laughed. I mean come on. I wasn't the biggest fan of GWB but I NEVER thought he purposely made decisions based on a desire to see people die. Cheney maybe. Ok not really. But I actually laughed. Then I thought "God no, these people meet at McDonald's every day and have the highest voter turnout." These idiots like Palin, Rush, and that fat baby faced lunatic on Fox are taking advantage of american stupidity. The difference between the left and right is this: the left is appealing and convincing to young liberals/moderates more so than the senior population. Their untruths and rants are never carried through because young people don't vote. And they use multiple news sources. Meanwhile, even if 1 in 4 Fox News/Rush listeners believes it as gospel, there is about a 80% chance they are voting.

_____________________

Michigan State and Montana State square off this Saturday. It shouldn't be a game after 1 quarter. Its really going to look like an organized, very official, scrimmage. Not that Montana State is bad, but they are just overmatched. I expect to see a lot of new faces by the 3rd quarter.

MiState - 40
MoState - 17
_____________________
I have two very divergent contingency based predictions. If RichRod loses 2 of his first 3 this year (Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan) he is cooked. Losses will be he nail in a coffin built over the last few months. Player transfers and dismissals (for recruiting questionable players and losing good kids because he's an ass) NCAA violations that no doubt occurred to some degree, and the recent investment fraud/loan default news that give um a bad name are no small thing. I've said since day one he was a risky hire for the above board reputation -- real or contrived -- associated with um football.* Somewhere the lloyd haters are wondering if lloyd would come back.

If they win the first 4 and split the next 8 RichRod lives to coach another year. A few assistants take the fall on the NCAA thing (meanwhile I hope it drags out and recruits bail on him not knowing if there will be a ban) and things chug along slowly. He coaches at um for the remainder of the contract and never makes a dime, taking his pay in legal representation from the law school for the next 3 scandals to come out. Honestly I hope he stays. I also liked Brian Ellerbe and Tommy Amaker. So did izzo.

_______________________

The Tigers are winning enough games, in exciting ways, and the competition just keep losing games. Roughly 30 games to go. Hopefully they can win 20 of them, including splits with the ChiSox and the Twinkies.

Ernie Harwell has cancer. He's decided not to do surgery/treatment. Its sad to think about such a steady, smart, perfect part of childhood summers not being around. Here's to a big Tigers run and Ernie in the booth a few more times this fall.
_______________________
* football only. as we know basketball is another story. see: the Fab we never existed Five

Captains Selected

2009-08-27T18:08:00.001-07:00

The football team selected 4 captains today. This isn't usually news. This isn't usual.

For the first time in years there is a QB competition and the coaches have yet to name a starter. In fact, the word is a sesaon long starter may not be named until as late as the week following the CMU game, or week three.

The players haven't waited to chime in. They selected Greg Jones, Blair White, Ross Weaver, and ...

Kirk Cousins.

So there is at least the intriguing storyline of Kirk Cousins the captain, of the bench. Keith Nichol leader of the team, sort of.

http://freep.com/article/20090827/SPORTS07/90827064/1055/MSU-names-four-football-captains

Americans love Futbol

2009-08-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Or not. Because idiots like Skip Bayless wouldn't have a clue what athletic looked like if it hit them in the face. Actually he might. He was probably punched in the face, repeatedly, throughout his childhood by athletes. The point is guys like Skip Bayless try to curry favor with rednecks everywhere by making outdated and simple jokes about soccer. In about 10 years he is going to look like Strom Thurmond, both in ideology and skin folds.

Back to the point. Football is number 1. College football follows the script of college basketball. More drama, more heart, and more at stake week to week than the corresponding professional level. For all the problems with the Bowl system and the push back on a playoff system I can agree with one argument in favor of the current system; don't slip up. Most teams can't afford to lose a single game, especially late in the season. Every week every game is important, like a playoff. The playoff system would only require getting in the top 10 or so, making a loss here or there acceptable with a chance to enter a playoff later. The season finale would probably trump march madness (please never have a playoff for football!) but the regular season would be left to the truest of fans.

MSU - I am a Spartan fan. That means I am cautiously optimistic. I like the general direction of the team but I've seen it before. I like the coach and the long term trend but I can't get too high, lest I be let down again. The schedule sets up nicely for a big, BIG season. I'm cautiously optimistic. Let's just say I'm long msu football but I wouldn't take msu as a trade.

Lou Holtz (sorry DP) may have gone too far this time. He picked ND to be in the championship game this year with Florida. He did qualify his statement by saying that ND "is not the second best team in the country" but that ND's schedule sets up nicely (see: cake walk) and that "they have the best chance of being 12-0 of any team other than Florida*" in the country. Really?? Did you watch that team the last two years? "They are returning XX players." Ok. So are the detroit lions. Is that good or bad? I think ND will be much better than last year, based on the schedule and improvement of the feathered boa. They will NOT be in the national championship unless 3 team forfeit. I'll eat my hat with ketchup.

I am worried about:

1. MSU at Illinois. This is a team that lost a lot of close games last year and has a running QB. Things happen w/ running QB's, for instance, large losses to PSU and OSU last year.

2. MSU at ND. I don't think ND is that good but I question MSU's ability to run the ball. I like te way our db's and lb's match up against the irish receivers but I just wonder about holding a lead or grinding out a game this year. I also wonder what kind of pressure we'll get on the qb. The pass rush is yet unproven.

3. Iowa. The hawkeyes DOMINATED our lines last year. Both offensive and defensive domination. Although Greene is gone I don't think it matters who runs behind that line. Although King and Kroul (sp?) are gone the D line will be very good still. Stanzi was impressive last year (as a guy getting 10 seconds to make decisions should be) and will only be better this year. Iowa is going to be good.

4. Either: Minnesota, Wisconsin, or CMU. Yes that CMU. With scrambling QB see above. Same can be said for MN, potentially, and the fact that it is Halloween and the new stadium will be rocking. Wisconsin is so so, but at home, is pretty good and has a stable of running backs.

Don't forget PSU. I don't think they will be as good as last year. A lot of the defense was lost and the offense will take a while to get rolling. Unfortunately for MSU PSU has all season to get it right. Also, there are plenty of returning starters on the nittany offense, including 37th year senior Daryll (and his other brother Daryll) Clark.

*I decided " 's were best despite the fact that the entire passage is paraphrased. In fairness his esses were sloppy and he slurred like a champion that day.

Things to do when you should be working

2009-07-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

1. Ramble on the internets because you promised DP you would.
2. Drink coffee.
3. Get back to work.

First, no more tigers's games for DP and family. 0/2. Remind me to never go to a game with you guys. Love you, but hate losing. Also, should the layoffs-p become a reality, for the love of fall baseball don't buy tickets.

Second, Dantonio and crew are getting some respect from the media these days. Either that or the rest of the conference is that bad. MSU was picked to finish 3rd.

I am guardedly optimistic. Spartan football fans with any sense of history have to be. By mid season I expect the special teams will be as good as they have been in 5 years or so, the QB position will be just fine, and the receivers/te's will make plenty of big plays. There is plenty of depth (for the first time in...oh...10 years?) at defensive back. And, as everyone has written about, the linebackers are perhaps the best ever group to play at MSU.

I'm also worried about the offensive line. The left side should be strong, which is good for a right handed qb, but the right is questionable. For a team that likes to run with balance that could be a problem. I think the running back battle storyline is a little overdone. All these guys have talent. The question -- as it always is in football at any level -- is the line. Quarterbacks, running backs, and linebackers get all sorts of love. None of them can showcase their skills if the lines in front of them don't dominate.

Third, if you drop your keys in the trash at a coffee shop it is NOT the job of the workers to "deal with that for [you]." You had sunglasses on at 7am on a rainy day, indoors. You were on your iPhone -- leaving only one free hand to flail about the lobby -- and you don't really look that coordinated to begin with. You were the only person surprised that your keys would have the audacity to fall in the trash. Based on your apparent coordination, inability to pay attention, and karma, I'm surprised you didn't fall in the trash. When you neck talked "I am not dealing with that" the old guy next to you didn't even bother hiding his "and no one wants to deal with you honey" laughter.

1. Check
2. CheckCheck
3. [reluctant sigh] check

Well

2009-03-27T15:31:00.001-07:00

I should probably write something about this Kansas game. I should probably do some research or say something intelligent.

Here's the thing. I'm not really worried about this game. I mean, a #14 seed is always dangerous because they play loose, are fired up for the biggest game of their career, and you don't know a whole lot about the team. USC was worrisome because they athletic and the team seemed to be peaking at the perfect time. Kansas...right.

I mean, its Kansas. They have a top 3 (if not the best) point guard, a very solid (57% stone, to be exact) big man, and a great coach. They have tradition. But this isn't one of the better Kansas teams. In fact, this isn't a top 3 Kansas team in the last ten years. Its a good team. Its a young and improving team. But, simply put, it isn't ready to repeat.

Why MSU should win:
- More depth and athletes
- More balance
- More versatile

The Spartans go legitimately 9 players deep. Draymond Green is arguably the biggest scoring threat among big men right now. Summers and Allen, although inconsistent, can put up 20 on any given night. Lucas is quicker than Collins (kansas pg) and a great ball handler. Luscious is almost as quick and isn't afraid of anything. Suton consistently pulls down rebounds, no matter how big the competition is, and manages to get junk shots off. Gray/Ibok...have 10 fouls to give. Walton is a great defender, and as USC could tell you, can hit shots if left open. And I haven't even mention the x-factor ---- Raymar. If Raymar comes to play and everyone else plays their role, defending, rebounding, and distributing, MSU should move on easily.

Here is how I feel about Collins and Aldrich. In fact, I feel the same way about Blake Griffin, or any other superstar without much of a supporting cast: give him his. Let Griffin score 30. Let Collins and Aldrich score 40. Great. Now try to find a way to score 15 more.

MSU - 70
Kansas - 61

MSU First Round

2009-03-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

The #2 Spartans take on the #15 Robert Zach Philip Morris the Cat [insert mascot name] tonight. It should be din-din for the Spartans. Should be.

We will break these down one by one.

Zach Morris: the [giant] cell phone toting, big hair wearing, Bayside Tiger repping preppy would make a great promotional player. Unfortunately A.C. Slater had all the physical talent. No word on whether the [fill in RM mascot here] have an A.C. Slater or two up their collective sleeve.

Philip Morris: A power house U.S. Corporation that has used smoke and mirrors to control the competition. Posted up the Surgeon General successfully for decades. Know to leave the opposition winded. A tale of two games; sometimes filtered sometimes unfiltered. All players mysteriously under the sign of Cancer. There is DEFINITELY word on RM having cigs up their properly rolled t-shirt sleeve. Perhaps best known for their motivational posters...

Morris the Cat: well, not much to say here. I don't know that a tabby cat can really be a game changer. I do know that Morris is good at responding to bells, so halftime and buzzer beaters should be his forte. Also known to be quite finicky in terms of shot selection, the [insert mascot name] are loathe to take a poor shot. Over-exertion requires a nap or two. Although strong in the [scratching] post, Morris is susceptible to laser pointers and catnip. Morris is also dangerous on defense, having 9 fouls to work with rather than the standard 5.

Robert Morris: The [still can't find mascot name] play in the NEC -- an acronym that doesn't have an athletic related search result on googles first page (19th result, page 2). Obviously a powerhouse, the Colonials (not the architectural style) won their conference tournament for the automatic NCAA Tournament berth. The NEC website notes that "[t]he postseason will begin for Robert Morris on Friday when the #15 seeded Colonials (not the house) travel to Minneapolis to face second-seeded Michigan State." Sadly, and surprisingly the article fails to mention this, the postseason will also end during this game. A colonial representative was not available for comment, mostly because the Internet is not accessible nor powered by candles or whale oil.

Above: the 2007 Colonials starting lineup (sans camera man/point guard Constantine Hampton III). The Colonials no longer play coed, beginning with the 2009 season.

Above: This colonial home took Robert Morris to the brink last season in the All Colonial Classic. Robert Morris prevailed in the semi-final, losing to eventual champion Colonial Penn (starring Wilford Brimley and Ed McMahon) in the championship game. In a show of sportsmanship the rivals shared a Guinness Record setting bowl of oatmeal in the locker room.

MSU - 77

RMU - 60

Funny Things I Wish I Had Written

2009-03-18T18:42:00.001-07:00

This is all for now. Perhaps more later. This whole job thing is really slowing me down.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/03/18/ncaatourney/index.html?bcnn=yes

Big. Ten. Champs. (Still)

2009-03-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

A conference race that looked -- at least with 3 games left -- like it might come down to the last game of the season ended in a rout. After beating Purdue in East Lansing last Sunday the Spartans padded the outright conference title margin, winning by 4 games over 2nd place Illinois.

Senior night ended with a convincing win, hugs all around, and a new tradition post game. Best of all? The team "hung a damn banner."

Each of the seniors had their moment, their chance to kiss the S (and Ibok had 2 chances). Each player was presented with a framed jersey during the postgame program and given an opportunity to address the crowd.

This week Travis Walton was named B10 Defensive Player of the Year, Izzo B10 Coach of the Year, and Kalin Lucas B10 Player of the Year. Suton was 2nd team all conference and the top rebounder. Roe was voted to the all freshman team. The Spartans enter the tournament this weekend as the #1 seed, playing Friday morning against the winner of Minnesota v Northwestern. Pending the outcome of that game I will be leaving after work to see the Saturday games in Indy. You can never be sure what will happen in the B10 tournament. Often teams with little to gain in the way of seeding will, rather than risk injury or fatigue, bow out early.
Then the real tournament begins. Pardon me, Kenny Rogers, but March is My Favorite Time of the Year. Simply put:

Hopefully this is just one of three tophyies to enter the display case by seasons end.

Big. Ten. Champs.

2009-03-04T17:20:00.001-08:00

After an up and down season (up: beating Texas, Illinois, and 11 other games away from the Breslin, down: losing to NC by 310, Maryland, and PSU and NW at the Bres) the Spartans found a way to close the door on the terrible, horrible, talent-devoid Hoosiers to secure the first outright B10 title since 1999.

If you weren't able to watch the game the final box score doesn't do the game justice. The box score is ugly. The game was disgusting. Think Richard Simmons singing backup for the Jonas Brothers, all covering [fill in your least favorite musicians] greastest hits. Since the Jonas Brothers can't sing or remember words to songs they couldn't ever begin -- for even one moment, in a parallel bizarro universe, under the most powerful hallucinagenic and inspriational drugs -- to write or perform...I imagine that nightmarish conglomerate singing anything by Van Halen. That is what the MSU Indiana game was like.

Chris Allen has managed to stay consistent. The interesting thing he is getting away with these days is tackling* people. With all the terrible calls during the game -- and there were plenty -- somehow Allen managed to get whistled for one foul. As a ratio of tackles to fouls I would say it was abotu 5/1. I suppose it is smart to keep doing it until you get called for it. Tackling tends to throw the offensive player off his game.

Roe dominated at times. Suton dominated at times. Then Suton stopped dominating.

It is good to have Raymar back. I hope he plays with this sense of urgency for the rest of the season. He has a unique skill set and size, and by focusing less energy on funny face production and more energy on dominating mismatches --- which he should always be able to find -- Raymar could be a double double guy EVERY night.

Lucas and Lucious (or luscious, to some) are the best true point guard combo MSU has ever had. There have been serviceable backups, but these guys are both for real. Lucious is just a player. He has no memory in regards to failure. He has a reset button. He smiles. He plays with energy. He has no fear. He is going to be very, very good in the coming years. Lucas is as good as he decides to be.

MSU has a ton of matchup advantages. Raymar is too big and long for guards and too quick and has too much range for big men to guard.

Suton can face up from 15+ feet and make you come out to guard him. He can put the ball on the floor and hit awkward shots consistently enough to go by if you overplay him. Suton can pass as well as any big man in the conference.

There are about 3 people in the country that can stay in front of Lucas. If you overplay him he should be able to get into the lane 99% of the time. He can hit from the outside enough to be a threat.

Roe is strong, quick, and handles the ball VERY well for his size. I really think he is a more polished (earlier in his career) Andre Hutson. He defends, has post moves, and doesn't make me nervous off the dribble anywhere on the floor. Like Suton, Roe has great vision and touch in making the extra pass.

Summers is probably the most improved player this season. He is playing with more energy, control, and most importantly confidence.

No one, I mean no one, can shoot free throws. Who do I want shooting with the game on the line? One might think "a guard!" Well "a" guard is true. Kalin Lucas is shooting nearly 81%. Who else? Throw a dart. Of course if you hit a player, any player, you are more accurate throwing darts than the team is shooting foul shots.

To be fair Suton is shooting nearly 83%. Others of note?

Morgan: 67%
Walton: 51.3%
Roe: 44.6%

Walton is a guard. A starting guard. A senior guard. A team captain senior, starting guard.

Chris Allen is about 34% from behind the arc. The other 66% are airballs.

There is an outside** chance that the Spartans can be a #1 seed. It would require a lot of things to fall in place. At the very least MSU needs to:
1. Beat Purdue at home this Sunday
2. Win the B10 Tournament
3. Have some people lose. Preferably Duke, NC, Oklahoma, Pitt, and Uconn. All in the first round of their respective conference tournaments. For good measure Memphis and Kansas can lose too.

* Of course it isn't a pretty form tackle that Allen attempts. It is more like "oh shit that guy shouldn't be that wide open...oh shit that's my guy. Oh shit I have depth perception problems and I'm pretty sure I just ran into him. I managed to look like a drunk newborn baby giraffe on ice skates."
**Very far outside. Think: Respert against umm. Waaay outside.

wiscansin and purdue wrap up

2009-02-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

The loss to Purdue was surprising not in that MSU lost, but in how they lost. It was a mess.

Reffing was bad both ways. Lots of missed calls, inconsistency, and flat out wrong calls. That didn't lose or win the game.

MSU had 22 turnovers. That, alone, didn't lose the game.

The difference was shooting. Purdue couldn't miss and the Spartans couldn't make a layup. At one point Purdue had made something like 6 three's to MSU's 1. Despite that 15 point Boiler advantage from distance MSU was down only 11 at the time. That stat might lead one to believe that the Spartans were hitting everything inside. That was not the case. Going in to halftime Purdue's lead was less than 5 despite the fact that Suton, Roe, and Lucas had left about 6 easy layups on the floor. MSU just couldn't hit anything.

Lucas is getting to the rim more often -- at least in the second half -- in the last 4 games. However, his shooting percentage is terrible. Trrble. Even though I hate to see 2 of 11 and 3 of 14 performances I still like Lucas being more aggressive and getting to the rim. Nothing is worse than running your offense from 35 feet, getting over played, and not going by someone* that obviously can't stay in front of you**. Too often MSU guards creep further and further from the basket in the name of running the offense and forget basketball 101: the goal on offense is to score. If someone is overplaying you go by them. Forget the play. You don't get points for running the play. The refs don't stop the game to say "hey, you know what? good job forcing that pass just because that's what the play called for. 2 points green." The play is supposed to facilitate scoring. If you can skip to step 2, the actual scoring, you should do that.

Chris Allen. What more can I say? Plenty.

Watching the last game a few things were apparent. He isn't a genius.

Prime example : on the defensive end Allen watched a Purdue shot go off the rim and head out of bounds. Purdue touched it last, quite obviously. Gus Ganakas knew that Purdue touched it last. So, of course, Allen ran to the sideline to save the ball. On the defensive end. Gus Ganakas knows you don't save the ball under your own basket. Allen's failed attempt (redundant redundant) to save the ball looked strikingly similar to a bounce pass thrown to a spot (like a QB might attempt, throwing to a spot rather than a person). That spot happened to be the middle of the lane. The defensive paint. Where Purdue players were. Where you would gladly fight your mother to be with the ball on offense. That was the play that best describes Allen's game right now. Allen is no stranger to jumping in the air with no particular thought process or premiditation, but this time he decided to do it 1. with his back turned -- upping the difficulty factor from his normal routine, 2. on the defensive end, 3. to save the ball (that was off the other team), and 4. ended the perfect play by making a nearly perfect bounce*** pass into the paint. Purdue completed the perfect play by missing the layup****.

Also apparent: the game is too fast for Allen. There are two kinds of slow. This is really an extension of the above, but there is mentally too slow and physically too slow. Suton was (and sometimes is) physically too slow. Suton knows what to do most of the time but everything is exxagerated. If Suton is out of position, even by a little bit, there is no recovering. He is athletically slower. If Suton loses concentration or has an off game mentally the game is too fast for him.

Allen shows signs of being very athletic, but the game is too fast for him. The difference with Allen is that he has no idea where he is supposed to be. Worse? He appears to have little capacity to ever fully understand where he is supposed to be. At one point against Purdue Allen lost his man for about 5 seconds on defense. Considering the speed of the college game 5 seconds is an eternity. In 5 seconds a division one basketball player might think to himself, hey, maybe I should be guarding someone. I mean I'm not doing anything else right now. During my third scream induced myocadial infarction of that defensive series Allen had a thought somewhat similar to that, found his man setting up a tent and starting the camp fire in the lane, and sprang in to action. Luckily Purdue had no idea that the man was open either and waited for Allen to realize before taking advantage. At that point Allen ran at his man and executed a perfect form tackle. Honestly he could have played corner for JLS. Get burned, recover, hit your man no matter if he has the ball or not.

The good news? Maurice Ager. Plenty of people liked Ager and he is in the NBA. Ager didn't play defense consistently. Ager made the same mistakes as a senior that he made as a freshmen. Ager is the career leader in jumping in the air, with the ball, with no plan or reason for doing so. Ager wasn't a particularly talented ball handler. I have a feeling Allen has been watching old Ager game tape.

Wis can sin

This is where I get my obligatory Bo Ryan looks like Mo from the Simpsons reference in.

I have to give credit to Suton. Although he has had a quiet few weeks Suton is still leading the conference in rebounding and has improved an unbelievable amount on the defensive end. Gray is the bizarro Suton. Gray has gotten worse each season, which makes his 5th year quite unfortunate to watch. This week Suton earned even more love for saying "I don't like Wisconsin...they're dirty." I don't like Wisconsin either. And they are dirty. AND I like futons -- I mean they are possibly the most functional furniture ever invented. (bizarro world futon? The Papasan chair. Useless and uncomfortable. Designed, at best, for cats).

Wiscansin is probably my least favorite conference team in basketball. Wisconsin has been the ugliest team in basketball for the last 10+ years, both in terms of style of play and literally. They are ugly.

I have no logic behind my score this week, other than losing to Purdue providing motivation and Wiscansin being a crappy team from the top down. Bo Ryan did the Soulja Boy (to relate to recruits no doubt). Luckily it scored him 4 gumps that look like they fell out of the ugly tree, hitting every branch on the way down, who set illegal screens. His offense is set for the next 4 years.

MSU - 68

Wisky - 59

* By someone I mean anyone in the conference, if not country. Lucas is too fast to overplay. 8 times out of 10 Lucas will get by anyone who is guarding him. That will be followed by a missed layup 65% of the time.

** By you I mean Kalin Lucas, not you the reader. You [the reader] are not very good at basketball. Suton could stay in front of you [the reader] 100% of the time. Carrying a futon. With a suit on. Standing in croutons.

***The perfect bounce pass was of course the result of a failed attempt to throw the ball off someone's foot. Had the bounce pass been intended the pass would have sailed into the 4th row*****.

**** The Purdue player [engineer lite] was likely confused as to why anyone, even Gus Ganakas, would save the ball in that spot on the floor, in those circumstances, in that manner and promptly missed the layup.

***** Unless the 4th row was near the intended target, in which case his pass would have been air balled by 15 feet for no reason, in other words landing in the 18th row.

Starting a Small Business

2009-02-11T18:08:00.001-08:00

If you have empty plastic bottles you should hold on to them. I'm starting little venture out of our house. Out of our basement to be speficic.

Because, although hope springs eternal, our basement eternally springs. Matt's Spring Water is officially open for business.

Ahh yes, hope springs. Like "I hope this vaccuum goes out of control and sucks this house down on top of me" or "I really hope that's a sleeping bag I see stowed on the floor over there in the corner" or even "Oh good! I was hoping the carpeted room would get a good deep cleaning." Hope.

I thought basements were good places to store things. Seasonal things. Seldom used things. Things that might, yet again, be of value some time down the road. Our basement is currently storing two types of things:

1. Water
2. Things that's shouldn't be sitting in water

I don't much like Tom Hanks. I mostly think he is annoying. But he serves as a good example through his role he played in "The Money Pit." The problem with the money pit comparison is that our money would be getting laundered in the deep, wet, fungus infested bowels of our home. Plus we don't have a spiral staircase.

If Noah saw our basement he would say "daaamn, that's a lot of water." I know it is, Noah, now get a bucket.

So if you've ever had a wet rug or carpet you know it doesn't take long to have that smell. I cleaned it up, put some fans down, and waited. Then I went to the internets to find out the best way to get rid of the smell (until we pull up the carpet in the spring).

Internet: Baking Soda.

Me: Baking Soda?

Internet: [staring at me like how dare you question google]

Me: Baking Soda it is

Here's the deal. Water is sneaky. The carpet looked dry. It seemed dry. So I put down 2 big containers of the ole Arm n Hammer. Nothing but the best.

The result? All the mess but none of the effect of 90% of 6th grade science projects. My rich red carpet was 3 tone: red, mush, and white powder. It was a new style I call "who the hell let Gary Busey in my basement?!"

2009-02-10T16:16:00.001-08:00

1st half update:

Gray has played about the worst 2 minutes of basketball I've seen this year.
- gave up a layup
- missed a pass in the post
- fouled
Those were on consecutive possessions.

Allen just air balled a WIDE open three. There was better defense in warmups.

Lavin already referenced ummm's offense being like an option qb.

MSU is apparently not going to get a call in the post.

Sims is really, really ugly. If Sims and Lucas-Perry were any uglier they would have to play for Wisconsin.

Delvon Roe is all* man.

BIG LOB to Summers. The pass (from Walton, another crappy start) was actually terrible, but Summers exercises mind over matter. In his mind gravity doesn't exist, no matter what reality might say.

Ummmm fans are still goofy.

Glad to see Allen still blows. Again, if you can't defend or handle the ball...you must be on the team to shoot. Turns out he can't shoot. Oh, he also can't seem to rebound or pick up loose balls that do everything in their power to jump in his [apparently greased and "for looking only"**] hands.

*except the parts that are based on superhero DNA
**have you ever seen those rooms of furniture that "aren't for sitting...those are for looking at"? Chris Allens hands are similar. "Oh those thigns? I don't use those."

Update

2009-02-09T12:02:00.001-08:00

Whatever is wrong with Raymar needs to be addressed. Ditto for this economy. There is no short term fix for the economy, but most people want -- if not downright expect -- a "fix." This is one of the simplest yet funniest SNL bits in years. Raymar and the economy? Fix 'Em.

Just michi being michi

2009-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure when it happened, but it did. The Big10 now has 2 Northwesterns.

For years NW has used good shooters and discipline to run a gimmick offense (Princeton like). Sub par athletes are asked to execute with perfection, limit the number of possession on both ends of the floor, play zone defense, hit free throws...and pray. The idea is certainly based on fundamentals; shooting, reading the defense, and crisp execution. However, it is the equivalent of the option offense in college football. It won't ever translate to the NBA and to be successful it requires a number of things to happen.

On offense perimeter shots need to fall. If the 3 isn't falling defenders don't have to step out and overplay. If defenders don't overplay you don't get backdoor layups. If you don't make 3's and don't get layups...you don't control the pace or the score. Rebounds come off to superior athletes and, lets be honest, these gimmick teams aren't deep on talent or prepared to play in transition.

Michigan is now running a similar system. It is not the same, but based on the same principles. Michigan has attempted 637 three point shots to date. That is 200+ more 3's than NW (NW w/ 3 fewer games played). Michigan is out NW'ing NW. Any way you cut it, um is a scary match up for MSU. Penn State and Northwestern have both shown what getting lucky from 3 can do.

I did say lucky. While both NW and PSU have improved a great deal this year (and I believe PSU will make the NCAA tourney, and NW could win the BTTourney for the autobid) neither had any business winning at the Bres. Junk shots, and I do mean junk, were falling. From 4 feet behind the arc, early in the shot clock, banking hard off the glass. Those are the shots that were falling. Those are the shots that teams like NW and Michigan need to win against superior talent. Many call the 3 point shot "the great equalizer." Sure...just like the lottery is the great equalizer. It is a gamble that pays off big from time to time, but the odds aren't in favor of it working for a full season.

The sad things is um is pretty talented. From top to bottom um is probably more talented than both NW and PSU. They don't need to gimmick. But they do, so here are the keys.

1. Allen, Lucas, and Summers all have to be consistent. Forget hot, I just want consistent. If each one shoots 33% or better from 3 um can't stay in a zone for long.

2. Lucas, Walton, and Lucious all have to get in the lane. Too often against a zone MSU dribbles around the perimeter making dangerous passes from guard to guard, most of whom can't handle the ball (Allen) under pressure. It doesn't advance the offense, finds the ball moving ever closer to half court (as opposed to the rim), and doesn't attack the zone from its weak points -- the paint and the short wings.

3. Suton, Gray, and Roe have to rebound early and often with strenff (which is Clark Kellogg speak for strength). um is long and has decent size. Rebounds must be solidly secured with good outlet passes. um is not deep enough to run for 40 minutes.

4. Everyone has to hit free throws. Not even a late lead is good against 3 point shooting teams if you can't make free throws. MSU has taken 100 more free throws this season than the next closest team (purdue) and with good reason. The Spartans are shooting just 68% from the line. I would foul too.

5. um can't get lucky. Players w/out a conscience (internal or on the sideline) can get hot in ways that cannot be helped. Talor Battle (PSU) is apparently allowed to take whatever shot he chooses, over whatever defense, at any point in the shot clock and from anywhere on the floor he likes. When they go in he looks smart and it is nearly impossible to stop (especially since guarding him = foul). Personally I find most of his shots to be stupid and liken them to investing for retirement in a 401L (lottery). Sometimes it works.

If um is making 3's it could be a close game to the end.

I predict a um lead in the first half of 5-8 points followed by an MSU run to start the second half. um can't guard MSU's depth for 40 minutes (although having Morgan in the lineup would be nice) and can't maintain an adrenaline high for two halves, especially coming off a tough loss to Uconn. If Lucas is determined to get in the lane um has no answer.

MSU - 70

ummm - 63

It is funny to think of Michigan as running a gimmick in both football and basketball. Almost as funny as smash mouth MSU hiring John L Smith. Almost as funny as the average um fan.

IU, Reader Requests, Open Questions

2009-02-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

After righting the ship against a stunned MN team the Spartans take on Tom "I wish I didn't look like Tom Arnold" Crean Saturday. Indiana is coming off their first win (against lowly Iowa) and should be a 20 point win. I really don't even know what to tell you about Indiana. They have one returning scholarship player from last season. That really says it all.

At the request of 33%* of the readers we will address one Wally Pipp. Wally was a major league baseball player (Yankees) around the 1920's and played 1st base. "Wally Pipped" became a verb, however, not because of his play so much as his not playing. According to legend Mr Wally Pipp decided to sit out a game, against his managers wishes, because of a "headache." His replacement? Lou Gehrig. Good idea pal. 2130 consecutive games later Gehrig was a household name for his stellar on field play, while Wally Pipp became a household verb for letting your understudy make you look a fool. Holding the door for the one that replaces you. Like pulling a Munson.

That brings us to Raymar Morgan. While I don't see Summers replacing Raymar for good or Raymar faking his illness it does make for an interesting comparison. At the very least Raymar has to be making more funny faces* than normal from his seat on the bench as he sees his future minutes fade. I still think that, if Raymar were healthy right now, the starters would be: Lucas, Walton, Suton, Morgan, and Summers. Roe has come on strong but isn't ready to push Suton out yet. Allen is...Allen. Honestly I think Allen might be Wally Pipping himself. I've openly invited Allen to go have relations with himself.

Indiana is bad. Very bad. They could get hot and hit a bunch of hot garbage 3's (see: Northwestern and Penn State) but they cannot pull this one off. They can't.

MSU - 71

IU - 59

Questions:

1. Who among you will take a minute to develop a working definition for "breaking news" and pass that information along to Nancy Grace?

2. Why are we still talking about this baby factory lady? She had 8 kids, I get it, its a news story for about...24 hours. I'll give you 48 tops. I have two problems with this still being in the news cycle: first there is no debate among intelligent people - it was medically unsafe, unbelievably irresponsible given her situation, and she has GOT to be unstable and second its none of our business. It isn't. If we want to change the public assistance/entitlement programs etc. ok, but she needs to go away. Now.

3. Why do people try to irritate me? The people who get to me w/out fail have two character traits: arrogance and ignorance.

I met the local chapter president of the arrogant and ignorant club at the MN basketball game. I was, according to him, in his seats. Never mind that our seats are designated season tickets. Never mind that these tickets have been in my possession since weeks before the season started. Never mind that THESE VERY SAME SEATS have been season tickets, in the same name, for at least the last 5 years. Before that, going back to the opening of the Breslin, they were in that immediate area. Never mind that he had no ticket to prove anything and I showed him my ticket. He acted as though the numbers and letters on the ticket were in a language he vaguely understood. This guy wasn't having it. I was in his seats and it was ok, he would just get an usher to take care of it. He then sat in some other open seats in front of us and proceeded to take his self assured story to every person*** in our section -- pointing us out each time he retold the story about the kids with the nerve to be in his seats. He wouldn't let it go. You can imagine me taking this well. Woosah. Woosah.

That guy is the reason they don't sell beer at the Breslin. He didn't need any more self assurance and I didn't need another reason to plant my fist directly in his ear.

Then he danced to the MSU Dance team music (urban) during timeouts. It was exactly as you are picturing it in your head right now. Then my thoughts moved from battering him to feeling sorry for the person that must spend hours, daily, mopping up his saliva and helping him find his baseball.

*DP

**It is mathematically impossible for R.Morgan to make additional funny faces. He has reached maximum funny face efficiency.

***"every person in our section" is only a slight exaggeration as he honestly retold the story, w/ finger pointing, at least 4 times over the next 30 minutes

Fired Up

2009-01-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

I just had a chocolate (mini) candy bar, a sugar free Red Bull, and my normal dose of coffee (2/3 pot). I'm ready to go. Unfortunately my brain is about 7 steps ahead of my typing capabilities.

I have wondered for a while now -- would I hate Wisconsin basketball if they sucked? Unfortunately they have not been cooperative and my question had, until recently, gone unaddressed. I mean, they suck as people and as individual athletes but somehow have managed to be a pretty good (regular season) team. This year the bahdgerrs have managed to complete the trifecta: sucky people, sucky individual players, AND a sucky team. I still hate them. Question answered.

To be fair I like Landry. He is a solid player despite his rec specs, and for the record, I would take Landry over two Olando Tuckers. I really thought Tucker was overrated and got way more calls than he should have, pumping up his stats from the free throw line and affording him an unstoppable move: the travel.

Following the last loss I shared my feelings, through the medium of Haiku, with a friend in N.C. If he is reading right now I would just like to say ... go ahead and take a drink of that coffee ... baby seal. Back on topic. The (not very Haiku-like) Haiku's, written in response to an unanswerable phone call during the game, are reproduced below.

Couldn't speak at game

Aneurysm averted

Coble you bastard

Chris Allen stat haiku:

One for eleven

Seven turnovers two fouls

New love for Chris Hill

or Coble's:

Someone remind him

His jersey says Northwestern

Did THAT just go in?!

As a final comment on NW what is up with Rowley? I mean that head. Come on. Am I the only one that immediately thought of this?

Against OSU Chris Allen continued to be, well, terrible. I mean if you are a guard that: can't defend, can't handle the ball, and (at least recently) can't shoot...what exactly are you in the game for? He has to find his shot soon or is in danger or sliding way, way down the bench.

Suton deserves quite a bit of credit. If not for his rebounding against OSU, especially early in the game, things would have been completely out of hand before half time. Raymar has a mystery disease but his defense continues to improve. Summers had a hell of a game. I actually was impressed with Gray. He rebounded, played defense, and went aggressively to the basket when needed. Lucas was the real difference maker exploding in the second half for all of his 20 points.

In the second half OSU extended their defense to guard more tightly on the perimeter. See: to guard Summers (since everyone else sucked). Bad move. That allowed Lucas more space to penetrate and kick, get to the basket, and create. Had OSU just allowed Summers to score 35 points, but kept the interior defense intact and controlled penetration, the buckeyes likely would have won. That is why Chris Allen shooting well and a big man passing well from the free throw line are so important against a zone. Neither of those two factors were present against NW. We lost. Against OSU Summers shot well enough to consider guarding the 3 point line and Suton became a long jumper threat.

If I were Thad Matta I would thave kepth my dethfense...sorry, thommething about thaying Thad Matta makesth my mowth think therre iths peanut butter sthuck...ok better now. If I were the OSU coach I would have stopped dribble penetration, let Summers score his points, and dared MSU to come up with another perimeter threat. Hell, let Allen shoot all day. Instead OSU came out in the second half with an extended defense that opened up the middle and got the big men involved. It also gave MSU an even greater offensive rebounding opportunity. The final stats showed as much, with MSU out rebounding OSU 35-19 (Offensively 16-3), outscoring OSU 20-10 in the paint, and the Spartans scoring 19 second chance points to the buckeyes 4.

MSU NW

2009-01-21T05:19:00.000-08:00

We found out after the Illinois game that Raymar Morgan was battling some sort of bug. It turns out Raymar was only starting to feel the effects and missed or took part in a limited way in practice Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. According to reports there is a fair chance he will not play against NW tonight.

NW is the definition of a "trap game." A bigger game on the horizon (OSU away), a zone defense and constant motion and backscreening on offense (scheming), the ability to heat up from behind the arc (Moore, Coble), and the fact that MSU is home and should win this game set up for a letdown. Throw in that Raymar might not play and this could be ugly.

Three reasons MSU will, nevertheless, pull out a win tonight.

1. Unexpected players will step up. Chris Allen has pretty much sucked of late. Against a zone it is crucial that two things happen; guards must penetrate and force the zone to collapse/rotate and perimeter shooting must be a real threat. Lucas has to get into seems and Allen and Summers need to hit shots. Allen is due. Another great weapon against a zone like NW is a great passing big man. Roe is also due and fits the bill.

2. Izzo will not allow Moore, after torching MSU in their last 3 meetings, to go off tonight from behind the arc. Allen will be focused, Walton will be like a glove, and Suton/Gray/Roe will actually defend on the screen hedges --- not token defense but real attention to the shooter --- making Moore's night tough. Coble, on the other hand, is a tougher matchup since he can play inside and out.

3. Gray loves to play NW. I mean think about it. He doesn't box out anyways, so playing a zone puts him in the same position as everyone else on his team (on the offensive end). NW is long, but not terribly athletic inside. If he avoids the charge Gray should be able to score in double digits. Finally, he doesn't stay close enough to his man on defense to get fooled by a backscreen. That is to say, when you are four ball fakes behind in comprehension you might actually be in the right place at the right time, just for the wrong reason.

One of the funnier things I heard this year came from homer studio analyst (w/ a face made for radio and voice made for...pantomime) and former NW player (sort of) Tim Doyle. During the MSU NW game in Evanston he said "...I really believe that Northwestern could have, should have won the game." Now Timmy come on. In fairness his statement was in regards to Raymar Morgan being the only reason MSU won. But give me a break. Could have? Yes. Should have? You are a fool.

I expect that the crafty NW Wildcats will find a way to make a 3 off a Suton ass inbound assist. Just a shot in the dark.

There is a rumor that, in response to the NW zone defense Izzo will run a take off the box and one. Rather than run one defender man to man and the rest in a zone Izzo will flip it, making Idong Ibok the zone and everyone else man to man. One NW player will be unguarded, unless of course he is in Ibok's area, but Ibok will never be out of position. Gray could also spell Ibok in the paint.

There is a real possibility that Summers will set a career mark in stepping out of bounds tonight. Against the pressuring NW zone an offense can easily be pushed further and further from the basket looking for space to maneuver. This is dangerous for Summer who routinely plays with one foot in and one foot out already.

One note from the Illinois game. Draymond Green did not score any points but should have been awarded a KO for the jumpball-turned-powerslam. Green lifted the Illinois player, twisted at the waist and slammed him on the floor. Rampage Jackson would have been proud.