jtmc33

March 9th, 2010 at 12:33 PM ^

Maybe... but Izzo is no Dantonio. We may not like him due to his Spartyness, but we should respect him because he runs a great program with almost zero off-the-court issues. There is a lot more discretion in suspending a player for academic reasons than for crime. I would love to see the football players' academic records!

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10052

jtmc33

March 9th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^

"Almost zero".. and the Mateen case goes back 10 years. I can't think of any other issues in recent years for Sparty's bball. Anyway, I read in the Free Press that the only reason Mateen got in trouble at State was because he was first corrupted by Tractor Traylor and the boys during the infamous recruiting visit

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10052

DrewG32

March 9th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^

And I apologize for the Green and White link... was the first thing I saw on Twitter. Just saw a Detroit News article regarding this as well. And you make a very interesting point about Izzo waiting until after our game.

Joined: 01/21/2009

MGoPoints: 403

Bando Calrissian

March 9th, 2010 at 12:45 PM ^

From the MLive article: "“The thing about us right now, we’re galvanized. We’re like steel,” Izzo said." That really could be the finest piece of coachspeak I've ever seen.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 68096

DrewG32

March 9th, 2010 at 1:05 PM ^

And to be honest, he can probably keep him out against Purdue for a couple reasons. 1) I think they are plenty capable of beating a Hummel-less Purdue without Allen. 2) For Michigan State, the Big Ten Tournament really doesn't mean much at this point. So if they were to lose, say in their second game, it wouldn't be real detrimental. All the while Izzo looks like some stern disciplinarian and OMG BEST COACH EVER! for keeping Allen out. Whatever.

Joined: 01/21/2009

MGoPoints: 403

Steve Lorenz

March 9th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^

I'd say it's pretty important for them.....they could get a definite 2 seed if they win it. If not, I'd be surprised if they got a lot of love from the committee considering they really haven't beaten one solid team this season. They have a lot of holes in their resume for a team ranked as high as they are and winning the tournament would help them fill some of those holes.

Joined: 01/26/2010

MGoPoints: 6841

DrewG32

March 9th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^

Winning the whole thing would help seeding, but I guess I just don't see them having much of a chance to win it. Anyway I want to make one final point in regards to all this. With all the criticism that Beilein has been taking since Sunday, you absolutely cannot deny he defines the term class act, and a hell of a lot more so than Izzo. Manny breaks a team rule, much like Allen did (yes I know they were different scenarios, but still... it was a team rule) and Coach B doesn't hesitate one second to suspend Manny for a very difficult road game at Purdue. Izzo lets it develop all season then suspends Allen for a neutral site game against Minnesota.

Joined: 01/21/2009

MGoPoints: 403

Tater

March 9th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^

Izzo is probably a lot better at covering things up than they are at UM. I'm pretty sure the EL police are a little "nicer" to MSU players than A2 police are to UM players, too; they probably only arrest these kids when something impossible to cover up like the Great Frathouse Beatdown happens. I'm pretty sure the mentality in EL is to let athletes, or at least those on the football, basketball, and hockey teams, go whenever possible without arresting or citing them. In Izzo's defense, though, I would imagine he is successful at keeping his team away from the football players.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584