Freep predicting a Michigan Win

Submitted by StephenRKass on

The Freep is predicting a Michigan win over MSU tomorrow. Here are their picks, for those of you who won't give the Freep clicks:

  • 65 - 60 Rexrode
  • 65 - 63 Snyder
  • 72 - 71 Seidel
  • 64 - 68 The douche columnist who shall not be named. Ever the contrarian, he still has MSU winning.

wayneandgarth

January 24th, 2014 at 4:21 PM ^

They are too huge not to have an impact.  Earlier in the year, I didn't see how Mich was going to stop Payne.  W/O him and Dawson we actually have a rebounding advantage..... I think. 

You may have seen Minnesota step us when Dre Hollins went out after the 1st seconds of their smashing of Wisky.  So, you never know who will step up for State but we shall see.

You have to think that:

a.  there being out will hurt MSU

b.  a environment will still be more than crazy and it will be a war to the end.

 

Not an easy win, they still have talent, especially Harris.  He is plain good - like Nik.

CarolinaWolverine

January 24th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^

Michigan can win this one with Payne and Dawson out (yes we're missing McGary, but he's been gone for a while and M has adjusted).  I'd be disappointed if we can't get the win and Sparty will be even more insufferable.

ijohnb

January 24th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^

more comfortable with State at full strength.  House money is a powerful thing, the one playing with it is typically more relaxed and plays with less pressure.  With the State injuries, the playing field has been leveled to a certain degree and the burden of expecations is no longer on State, it is actually kind of on Michigan now as the Freep predictions indicate.  Izzo has made this so much about State's injuries that he has taken the burden of being "favorites" off of them.  He is without question a troll but he can be effective with this kind of rhetoric.

ijohnb

January 24th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^

no idea how all powerful Tom Izzo is with the media.  He can turn a Number 1 tourney seed into a cinderella story by the second weekend of the tournament.  I would not be surprised if there is a 1-800 number posted on the screen for donations to go toward Payne and Dawson's medical care.  A significant portion of the talk about this game until tip will be about the injuries and how they are just trying to "keep it together" in the face of all this adversity. 

Never mind that the best player missing this game with injury is on Michigan's roster.

pfholland

January 24th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^

With Izzo's history of underachieving in the tournament (given the incredible amount of talent he has had historically) MSU making it to the second weekend actually is a Cinderalla story.

Key Play

January 24th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^

They are obviously drumming up hits. That said, I would still be surprised to win at the Breslin. (though I have already been pleasantly surprised twice this week) 

 

Gary Harris and Keith Appling will be playing out of their minds on Saturday and you can bet Izzo is drumming up the "underdog" label for this game.  Expect at least one hot game out of a bench player. Probably Kaminski shooting like 50% on 3's for like 15 points.  That could be enough to beat Michigan.

 

I also fully expect awful officiating with a late call turning momentum in favor of the Spartans.  That said, if we keep up the hot streak, we can beat just about anybody.  Should be exciting. 

StephenRKass

January 24th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^

I'm actually curious how much "hits" benefits the Freep.

With Dawson's injury, I have gone over to thinking Michigan will win. Morgan and Horford are playing so strong, that without Payne and Dawson, they are going to make a huge difference at the boards. Robinson and Stauskas won't cool off, and I think Walton should be able to put in some good minutes. Hopefully, LeVert is learning to avoid boneheaded lazy plays (i.e., the inbounds pass for an easy two by White, in Iowa game.)

If Michigan does win on the road against MSU, I wonder if they become the favorite to win the Big 10. Looking at the rest of the schedule, if they stay healthy, I think they can beat anyone, whether at home or on the road.

ijohnb

January 24th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^

the Dawson injury makes a whole lot of difference.  It allows Michigan State to stop pretending they think Dawson is good and not have to keep him appeased by going to him once a half for a wasted possession.  I guess he is a decent defender, but I really think Dawson just hasn't panned out and this news is really a non-issue in this game.

I don't think, however, that Michigan has much of a shot to win this game.  I think Appling will dominate the ball and the pace and play an All-American type game and I think things will be moving a little fast for Walton at this point.  I gotta take State in this one but I also have to say that I really think the Iowa game was bigger for us than this game.  State will hold serve, but they have some losses coming on their schedule.

Key Play

January 24th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^

I don't know that Robinson and Stauskas "won't" cool off, which seems plausible. No one would begrudge Nik for cooling off sometime, and Robinson hasn't been able to light up the scoresheet as the go-to-scorer much in his career.

I do agree that either Morgan or Horford, will have a good game. I love how this staff is playing the hot hand between the two-headed center.  Morgan has really impressed me with his consistency the last few games, and Horford seems due to have a big game. Neither seem like the type to be rattled by a raucous Breslin crowd either.

I also agree that IF Michigan wins (which I still don't put above a 30% chance), then they would be the favorite to win at least a share of the Big Ten. The champ of this league will have 4-5 losses in conference. By beating Iowa, Wisconsin, and MSU, we will survive a tie with either of those teams meaning we would need 5-6 to not claim a share if any of those 3 end up on top. (thank you so much OSU for falling apart)  If you look at the rest of our schedule, and if we win this game, I would be hard pressed to find 5 more likely losses. Even getting one win of the big 4 game stretch would be enough to endure an "upset" to a lower ranked team.

But lets not get ahead of ourselves, and focus on beating State. Should be a fun one. 

Simps

January 24th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^

Drew Sharp is an idiot. Why is he still employed? 

Michigan will win this one by at least 6 points. They just need to limit Appling from getting into the paint. 

StephenRKass

January 24th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^

What am I gonna say as regards Sharp? I'd bet that 9 out of 10 mgoblog readers would be able to guess "Drew Sharp" just with the three words, "Detroit Douche Columnist." I really hate the jerk, but isn't that his MO? To get Michigan fan's blood to boil, and to give jollys to Michigan haterz? The best I can do is to roll my eyes and move on. Drew Sharp being Drew Sharp.

StephenRKass

January 24th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^

I have to believe that with the thousands of mgousers, someone must have known him during student days. I'd love to hear from them. I certainly didn't know him. Maybe he got turned down by too many girls while an undergrad? Maybe the guys in his dorm were mean to him? Maybe the other students on the Michigan Daily staff ridiculed him? Whatever the source of bitterness and animosity, it is deep rooted and only makes him small and petty.

Now, as a journalist, I get that you have to be somewhat impartial, and can't be an all out homer. I kind of think that's part of why Brian avoids direct contact with too many athletes or coaches, and never goes to the press box:  he wants to stay a fan of Michigan, and not have to wear the "impartiality" hat. Maybe Sharp overcorrected, and found out that it was a shtick that worked? Who knows, and who cares.

Michigania

January 24th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^

IIRC  last season every player of ours save Spike Albrecht, was completely rattled by the fans, especially Stauskas.... if anyone is rattled like that again, then its gonna be a letdown. 

StephenRKass

January 24th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^

You'd be correct . . . if we were rattled. But I think the team is beyond being rattled, except maybe for the Freshmen. Stauskas, in particular, is in take-no-prisoners beast mode. Right now, Michigan is in a zone where nothing can affect them. With as big of a game as this is, Michigan is not going to get rattled. You know that they are in the driver's seat for the championship if they win tomorrow.

Look at the rest of the schedule! If Michigan beats MSU tomorrow, their hardest two remaining games are against Iowa at Iowa, and the MSU game at Crisler. I can't believe I'm saying this, but if Michigan wins tomorrow, they would have a real shot at going through the rest of the season undefeated. I'm not predicting that, but when you look at the schedule, it is a real possibility.

Committed

January 24th, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^

At Breslin? I'm even thinking the gets the win.



Are we forgetting that road wins are hard to come by? We're getting spoiled.



Despite MSU injuries, and my love for UofM...it's tough to think Michigan gets the W.



Just being real...

aiglick

January 24th, 2014 at 8:09 PM ^

Should be a close game but just like we have found a way to beat them in Crisler I think it is definitely possible they find a way to beat us in Breslin. May be a case that MSU's style matches up well with ours. Same thing happened when VCU and Michigan met.

I can't see the game being as ugly as last year though.

LSAClassOf2000

January 24th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^

I also hope that we win, of course, and I have increased confidence that we can despite the game being at the Breslin Center. I have a suspicion that the columnist being often referenced in this thread would likely marginalize any win by Michigan as "a desperate plea for attention", however. At the end of the day, that's sad more than anything.