Unwarranted MSU/Izzo love
ESPN has posted the latest video of Seth Greenberg and the crew talking about MSU's Final four possibilities with Brandon Dawson in the lineup. This is really unbelievable, Dawson has always been a headcase who has no jumpshot whatsoever and turns the ball over a ton whenever he actually tries to dribble. He rebounds well and plays good on ball defense but is actually not very good off the ball. Hardly the difference maker he is being made out to be. Why so much love for MSU which is 2-5 against the top half of the conference. Even more telling, MSU has zero wins in regulation against the top 7 teams in the conference.
February 25th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Staee has gotten away from what they are known for. They have turned to outside shooting team and a poor one at that. With Appling hurt the only real threat to drive and kick is the erratic Valentine. Staee, for your program, Winter is coming.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
His campaign for COY has been brilliant. everyone has bought into the "I don't want to talk about it, but OMG WE ARE INJURED" message. An early exit is already explainable and a late run is destined for Legendary Izzo status.
February 25th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
Exactly! They have all their bases covered. If they lose it'll be because of chronic injuries but if they win it'll be just another day at the office for the Great Tom Izzo. Genius!
February 25th, 2014 at 12:23 PM ^
February 25th, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^
Byrd?
February 25th, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
I will take great joy in watching Staee disintegrate over the next 4-5 years. Graduations/NBA and two hollow recruiting years, coupled with Michigan's ascent, the tide has clearly turned. Those of us on this board are realizing it much more quickly than many in the media.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:37 PM ^
Eh, the tide has turned, but MSU isn't ever likely to do a complete faceplant while Izzo is still there. They'll still be in the conversation, even if they're looking up at MBB. As much as it pains me to say this, until I see otherwise this autumn, their floor-slappin' gang is still in a better state than our football team is at this moment. Hopefully with actual stability and depth on our lines, this changes.
February 25th, 2014 at 7:35 PM ^
MSU's recruiting class last year and this year was/is pretty thin. Plus, Izzo has never been able to recruit nationally very well. He gets the midwest All-Americans and that's it. Tom Goss has a lot to do with Izzo's repeated Final Fours. If he would have hired a competent coach from the beginning, the lost decade of M Hoops wouldn't have happened.
On the flip side, we have the players and now they should have valuable experience under their belt. If the coaching meets the talent, we'll be in great shape.
February 25th, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
MSU without Payne/Dawson and injured Appling was still supposed to contend for a Big Ten Championship
UM without McGary was supposed to finish 6th with an NCAA bid in danger.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:02 PM ^
Barring a crazy run, MSU's FF streak is over, and for all the talk about real small, really fast PGs on the horizon, this feels like one of those recruiting lulls that bites MSU in the butt for a couple of years because they don't usually get the blue-chippers who turn into stars. So while Kentucky or UNC can miss a year and bounce back with more kids the following year, MSU typically keeps who they recruit for 3-4 years. So basically, enjoy the Denzel Valentine era, MSU, because he is your PG for the near future.
February 25th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
February 25th, 2014 at 3:05 PM ^
February 25th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^
I don't get the love either.
February 25th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
except Appling sucking. When healthy, cue the violin, Appling is good for a lot of forays into the paint where he could finish or dish. He is a small 2 that plays a decent 1.
February 25th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^
February 25th, 2014 at 4:49 PM ^
Injuries or not, against the top teams in the B1G (Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, OSU) MSU is 2-3 with games vs Iowa and @ OSU to close out the year.
Michigan is 5-2 with no games remaining against the top teams (MSU, Wisconsin, Iowa, OSU).
Head-to-head Michigan is 2-0 vs MSU.
That's all I need to know.
February 25th, 2014 at 5:04 PM ^
6/8 and Belien clearly outcoaches Izzo. All Sparty has to hold onto is their belief that "Nothing matters until March." They are clinging to the belief that March will come, Payne will join the lineup, then suddenly they will be back to a #1 seed despite all of the above-mentioned struggles in B1G play. A couple more early Sparty tourney exits and deep Michigan runs and these excuses will also fade away.
February 25th, 2014 at 7:52 PM ^
Izzo is so overrated, and the love he gets (even on this site) is disgusting.
February 25th, 2014 at 9:09 PM ^
is more tolerable than Dantonio, though I would not say either one is classy. Remember when Dantonio went out of his way to argue in his press conference with one of our players ( i can't remember who but it was recently ) ? I do not think Izzo would do that.
February 25th, 2014 at 9:06 PM ^
In theory, MSU should be really good. Senior PG, Valentine and Dawson decent complementary pieces, two top 20 picks. But looking back, that's not an impressive preseason. Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas are solid wins. But nothing to write home about. UNC waxing them at home isn't a good look. Struggled against Columbia and Oakland. Empirical evidence suggests a healthy MSU isn't a final four favorite.
February 25th, 2014 at 10:22 PM ^
So where's the threat?
February 26th, 2014 at 12:29 AM ^
Weird post. Who ever said dawson has a jump shot? They just need him to play tough defense and rebound. He can do that. Also i liked the 'in regulation' at the end of your post. I had to read that a second time to understand what you were saying. All the msu love is just based on izzo's track record and msu's potential. I think we have just as good of a shot as them of making it to the final four. We just aren't one of those coveted programs.....yet.
February 27th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
Right now there are 32 teams within ten points of Arizona at the top. There are usually 10-15, last year at season's end there were 11.
This might be the densest pack at the top ever. I can't find another season that's close.
So, yeah, State has a legitimate shot at a final four. So do at least 30 other teams.