Sparty Non-Conf BB Schedule
Well once again MSU plays a named opponent in the non-conference schedule and Izzo is lauded for his scheduling. Now I'm not taking anything away from what MSU has done in the past in this area, but this year I think Michigan's is tougher and no one is saying a word. They still can't believe that MSU played Gonzaga last night.
MSU @ Texas, UM @ Kansas
MSU @ UNC, UM vs. UConn
MSU vs. Gonzaga, UM @ Utah
MSU vs. Florida, UM vs. Boston College
The rest of the schedule are the typical warm up games that should be W's. Except for UM's Thanksgiving tournament. UM starts against Creighton and will play Marquette or Xavier in round 2. The media today, local and national just loved Izzo and his Gonzaga scheduling. Just shows the continuing free pass love for Tom Izzo. I'm willing to bet we don't hear about UM's basketball scheduling this year.
sorry no paragraphs or separation is showing up.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:11 PM ^
"I'm willing to bet we don't hear about UM's basketball scheduling this year."
i bet we do when were watching backetology and trying to find out what seed we'll be in the tournament
November 18th, 2009 at 6:55 PM ^
i dig the NoFX references in your mgousername, and in your signature, but why is your avatar milo aukerman?
(not that i'm complaining; the descendents are nearly as rad as NoFX)
November 18th, 2009 at 8:15 PM ^
NoFX doesn't hold a candle to the Descendents.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:06 PM ^
i like both bands equally but i couldnt find a picture of fat mike that i liked.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:11 PM ^
On ESPN radio in Grand Rapids they were applauding Michigan's non-conference schedule this weekend but were still blowing IZZO, but they did acknowledge the quality of M's schedule.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:12 PM ^
I honestly think that MSU's non-con is harder. Sorry.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:18 PM ^
It might be from the onset, but it might depend on who UM ends up playing throughout the tournament in Orlando. Comparing UM and MSU non conference hoops opponents this year is like deciding who has the tougher football game this Saturday: Florida vs Florida International or Alabama vs Chattanooga. I would just like for the Izzo loving media to start looking at the opponents that John Beilein is scheduling in Ann Arbor.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:19 PM ^
MSU was in the National Championship last year, Michigan was not. Gonzaga was a good scheduling, shown by what a tough game it was. If you want to hear about Michigan on the national stage more often, they have to go deep in the tournament. That's the way it works. The only team that does not play a big role in the post season and gets hype the next year is Notre Dame football.
November 18th, 2009 at 6:24 PM ^
though, no? I don't recall running a guantlet in non-con under Tommy Amaker, though I may not be remembering very well. Duke whupped them pretty good two or three times. Were there others?
In Big Ten / ACC match up, MSU gets a tougher pairing every year typically. I think this is more of a track record thing with Izzo than it is any diss (real or perceived) of Michigan.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:11 PM ^
I believe that they get tougher scheduling each year in the BT/ACC match-up because it is based on last year standings. MSU was #1 in Big Ten and UNC was #1 in ACC...so yes that will happen typically when MSU has been that good since Izzo took over. I am a michigan fan and have student tickets, but I was sadly born and raised a spartan and love Izzo and MSU basketball. i root for them when they don't play michigan. I think Izzo is an amazing coach and love how Coach B is doing similar things to him in scheduling. Looks to be a bright future in the UofM-MSU b-ball rivalry and I hope to see UofM switch the outcome in the compared to the past few years
November 18th, 2009 at 6:29 PM ^
Izzo always has a tough schedule. He deserves the accolades, even though ours is tough
November 18th, 2009 at 6:33 PM ^
Won't the RPI and committee take into account our schedule?
Izzo has for the most of his years, scheduled very tough OOC games, so he has history behind him helping him get props that he deserves.
If we win some of our tough OOC games we'll get that recognition. Anyone can schedule a tough OOC, not everyone can win with it. I firmly believe we will get a lot of attention if we can beat UConn, BC, Kansas etc...or at least half of those premier teams.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^
Is one hell of a basketball coach. Michigan will get its praise when we've regained prominence. The media has a shorter attention span than a field mouse.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
Quick head to head comparison:
Kansas/Texas Edge: Slightly Michigan, its a road game against #1
UNC/ UCONN Edge: MSU, MSU is on the road, and UNC is better
Gonzaga/ Utah Edge: Push, Gonzaga is better, but Utah is on the road, and that is heavily weighted.
MSU actually plays Florida in a bad preseason tourney, while Michigan has a respectible tourney. So overall edge goes to Michigan
November 18th, 2009 at 8:18 PM ^
I'd say that b-ball teams are willing to play a tougher schedule than f-ball because of the tournament having a number of slots and goal is to get your team ready for tournament instead of making sure you have no losses.
November 18th, 2009 at 8:25 PM ^
in the end our resume will shine at the end of the season so who cares whether or not michigan gets the praise of their schedule. The Michigan basketball team doesnt care, this is just something for fans to brag and whine about
November 18th, 2009 at 9:10 PM ^
With both teams it could be very good for the big ten we each do decent. I haven't looked at other top teams in the big ten, but If msu can grab one from UNC or texas and UM steals a couple as well it bodes very well for our conference and thats a big thing as well come selection time!
November 18th, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^
It's been a long time coming for these types of games for UM b-ball. I'm just thrilled they are on the schedule and putting this team in the spotlight (for good reasons) were it belongs.