MSU

I took a chance and waded into the depths of the RCMB for a little Saturday afternoon enjoyment after the Marshall commitment. Meltdown is in full effect. I found this gem that made me literally LOL:

I don't know what's in the water in AA, but it's making kids believe whatever it is they're selling. I'd be very interested to see what the average visit is like down there. Between the dump of a city, the hideous girls, and a disgusting, inarticulate slob of a head coach, I'm surprised they can even put together a recruiting class - let alone a top ranked one. Nostalgia for the 1800s should only be able to take a program so far in 2013.

Enjoy your Saturday, everyone! 

I just don't get Sparty.  Why burn couches?  It's just bizarre.  Way to represent the B1G!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/03/30/michigan-state-fans-burn-couches-east-lansing-duke-sweet-16/2038071/

* If someone else already posted this link (I looked; didn't see it), mods please delete.

In addition to Friday's tilt with Michigan playing Kansas, we'll all be keeping an eye on the MSU vs. Duke game.  For many of us it's a classic meteor game, with the upside being that one of them has to lose, but I thought the board might like to sound off on who to pull for.

I've pretty quickly concluded that I'll pinch my nose and pull for MSU.  Partially for Big Ten pride, partially because I have a modicum of respect for the job Izzo's done (even if much of it was done via low-hanging fruit from the Ed Martin bushwa), and part of it because I know some pretty decent MSU fans.  But mostly because I have an almost pathological dislike for Duke and the bulk of their fans.

I first came to dislike Duke because of Christian Laettner.  I read a story in SI way back when where Cherokee Parks came to Laettner's dorm room on a visit, and Laettner cold-cocked him - and followed it up with screaming at Parks about how tough you need to be to play for Duke.  At the time I thought "this guy Laettner sounds like a total jackass" and nothing I've seen since changes that view.  A talented jackass to be sure, but a jackass.

And then there's Krzyzewski.  When I was a kid, I bought into the "he's a class act and does things the 'right way'" image that's hard to get away from even these days.  As I got older, I learned to dislike the cult built around him - it's an almost pre-Sandusky Paterno cult of personality.  He's been successful, but seems like a weasel most times I see him.  From his whinging about fans rushing the court after losing to VA, to his talking about recruiting kids with "character" but somehow overlooking recruiting areas like Detroit (Shane Battier doesn't count - Detroit Country Day sure isn't Detroit!), to defending thuggish moves from the likes of Gerald Henderson, to the American Express ad, and on and on.

And the Duke fans are generally wretched.  Anyone who jaws about "Michigan Arrogance" or "Domer Arrogance" likely has not seen the pinnacle of douchebaggery.  Whether they chanted about NC State's player's grandmother's death or not - the fact that it was believable to many spoke volumes. 

(I have some respect for a few Duke alumns - Grant Hill, Tommy Amaker, and several on the academic side of the equation.  But if Coach K. and Laettner are going to be your poster children, well - that's your poster.) 

So yeah - MSU fans may have a large juggalo contingent, wear a bunch of Axe, burn upholstered furniture at bad times, and paint numbers on their chest representing days since U-M won in basketball right before they lose on national TV.  But I'll be grudgingly pulling for them on Friday.

Who are you pulling for, and why?

Some more changes for Spartans 2013 offensive strategy.  

And is Dantonio pursuing future endeavors elsewhere?

Warning: Links to Freep article.

Not sure this guy saw the game?

Appling shot 33%, had 4 fouls, turnover that lead to the game winning basket, and participated in the final possession that resulted in no shot.

Grasping at straws, "Appling's second half play was considerably better than his first half — he was 2-of-4 shooting in the second half and all of his free throws and makes occurred in the second half."

http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/03/michigan_states_keith_ap...

         If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
    To do our fanbase loss; and if to live,
    The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
    God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
    By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
    Nor care I what loathsome spartan feed upon my  $65 stubhub tickets;
    It yearns me not if classless fools my garments tear;
    Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
    But if it be a sin to covet Victory for Michigan,
    I am the most offending soul alive.
    

     This day is call'd the Battle of Breslin.
    He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
    Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
    And rouse him at the name of Michigan.
    He that shall live this day, and see old age,
    Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
    And say 'To-morrow marks another spartan beat-down.'
    Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
    And say 'These wounds I had at Battle of Breslin.'
    Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
    But he'll remember, with advantages,
    What feats he did that day. Our names shall never be as     household words-
    Tim Hardaway, Burke and Darius Morris,
    Glenn Robinson and Daniel Horton, Manny and Deshawn  

        Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
    This story shall the good man teach his son;
    And Battle of Breslin shall ne'er go by,
    From this day to the ending of the world,
    We in it will never be remembered-

    Only but a few of us will ever get to take a charge,

    To bleed on the court for the Maize and Blue

    We can but drive into the lions den,

    And brave the classless and the ignorant,

    And let our Champions know that THEY ARE NOT ALONE
   

        We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
    For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
    Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
    This day shall gentle his condition;
    And gentlemen in Ann Arbor now-a-bed
    Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
    And hold their fanhoods cheap whiles any speaks
    That stood with me and sang the Victors

     As 15,000 crying spartans make their way to the exits...

     Tuesday February 12 in East Lansing Michigan...

http://www.stubhub.com/michigan-state-basketball-tickets/michigan-state-vs-michigan-2-12-2013-4139686/