Thoughts:
No coach is above criticism and that includes a man I respect and admire, Tom Izzo. MSU failing to win big ten road games
should not be that suprising however. The last couple of years have been filled with home victory after home victory and beating weaker big ten opponents on the road.
The pressure defenses that many coaches in the Big Ten employ, kills MSU. Our half-court sets, while effective against teams that have not seen them
before, become stagnant when coaches can prepare tapes of past games. And since MSU decides not to pressure the ball on the defensive end, they cant capitalize
on other teams mistakes. At best, MSU has to get lucky that a team does not get hot from the perimeter to win. That’s a recipe for disaster as more teams
are using the three point line to the tune of 20-30 times a game.
The problem at State is not the talent, its the philosophy. We can win the tourney games because our sets get our shooters good looks but in the Big Ten, thats just
not going to fly.
It’s time for Izzo to step back and say, how can I use the talent I have to win more games? We have athletes on this team and yet, we make them sit back and
react to what the other team is doing instead of dictating tempo and pace.
How can you call yourself a running team if you cant force turnovers?
A big test of Izzo’s stubborness will be on display Saturday. If Travis Walton starts and plays big minutes, then deep down I think we all know that nothing is really changed.
Playing 3 on 5(Naymick and Walton) to start a game puts us behind the eight ball. Its no wonder that Morgan and Neitzel couldnt get a shot off in the first half yesterday.
Shade a guy off Walton every time and dare him to shoot. More than likely he wont or he will throw up a brick.
You cannot, I repeat, you cannot fall behind 16 points on the road and expect to have any type of regular success. It just doesn’t happen.
Please Tom, for the love of God, do the following.
1. Start Lucas the rest of the season
2. If teams are going to pressure, make it a point to pound it into the post. The weave and picks for Neitzel are not working.
3. Force turnovers more. We should walk in against teams like Iowa and Penn State and blow them out in the first 10 minutes.
4. Stop pulling guys out after one mistake. They play timid when they know they are just playing not to screw up.
Disgusting vintage foods 
Annoying Things Women Do 
Are you a douchebag? 
What women are afraid of 
Sexy Female Athletes 
February 13, 2008
#1
I was hoping for a WOI recap.
Silver lining of all of this: outside of a nutso B10 and NCAA Tournament run, Raymar Morgan will be wearing green and white next year (and not because he’s going to get drafted by Boston in the second round).
BTW, where are all the Michigan clowns that spoke up during football season? Typical.
February 13, 2008
#2
I have a recap but its not complete, I fell asleep last night before I could finish it…
I only need like 10/15 minutes during lunch…Ill add it then
February 13, 2008
#3
Wednesday morning trivia will be moved to Thursday this week
February 13, 2008
#4
I’d like to see more high post sets with Naymick. He can turn and hit the 12ft shot if open.
I question Izzo’s substitutions. Naymick saved a loose ball(diving into the 1st row) to Lucas for an easy 2 with probably 6min left. Right after he was pulled. Naymick was so pumped after this. I think our team needs that emotional leader on the floor; not the bench.
Neitzel was our worst player last night(basically ineffective)…but yet he played a game high 35min for the Spartans.
February 13, 2008
#5
i didnt understand that naymick substitution at all….maybe he was tired?
neitzel and walton were dogshit yesterday
February 13, 2008
#6
One more thing…Keep Raymar on the baseline(running side to side). He scores all his points from the sides or down low. He has no biz-nast being outside.
And tell Raymar to change his hair. It looks like his head is taking a S on his neck.
February 13, 2008
#7
In fairness, I was not able to watch the game last night because of Parent/Teacher conferences. But how does Neitzel only come away with 6 points? It seems to me to be inexcusable, given the stage and the fact that he is supposed to be the best player on the team. I’m just looking at box scores though.
Also, losing on the road to Purdue isn’t really that bad of a loss. But when you are losing to Penn St. and Iowa, then you really pin yourself in a corner.
P.S. Blust, I think Raymar’s problem is that he looks like a platypus. Or one of the Cosby Kids from Fat Albert. Maybe Mushmouth, Rudy or Donald. I can’t remember who was who.
February 14, 2008
#8
Bus,
You’re a dad?!? What?!?
February 14, 2008
#9
haha…bus a dad….
good one tim