Predictions for Michigan-Michigan State
It's time for yet another matchup with a Top 10 opponent. Given the injuries to the frontcourt, Michigan State needs Gary Harris and Appling to put up dominating performances to win tonight. I hope Levert is put on Harris for most of the game. Similar to the Iowa game, stopping Michigan State's transition offense will be critical to winning tonight. I can't wait for this game. Predictions everyone?
68-64 Michigan
Go Blue!
January 25th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^
The University of Michigan: 61
The Staee University of analyzing cow shit and growing carrots: 53
January 25th, 2014 at 12:08 PM ^
I will never understand agriculture bashing. Do you not eat? The hospitality major should be getting the brunt of the shit directed at MSU.
January 25th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
I agree, though I think the agriculture bashing goes back to their days as M.A.C.
January 25th, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^
when none of us were alive?
January 25th, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^
hospitality bashing. Do you want to get shut out at your favorite hotels and restaurant-type places?
January 25th, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
Af least 2 references of sparty "dominating" the rivalry in football
January 25th, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^
Prediction?
(No)PAYYYYNE
January 25th, 2014 at 10:32 AM ^
Little Sister (hilarious /s) 70 - little brother 61. Walton steps up, Nik is Nik.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
"He's not just a shooter" references to Nik Stauskas: 3 times
January 25th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
I'll take the over on that one.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
I probably would too. Good thing I'm not a vegas oddsmaker.
January 25th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
Vitale is doing color... I'll take the over on that. Way over.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^
Bunch of douchey signs.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
MooU: 78
Michigan: 67
By the way...I saw this interesting Tweet/stat:
This boggles my mind - but - according to Stats,Inc - Mich-MSU will mark the 1st match-up EVER OF 2 B1G tms w/ conf marks of (6-0) or better
January 25th, 2014 at 11:01 AM ^
That's a hard-to-believe stat, given the long history of the conference.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
Unfortunately, I can see Harris locking up Nik. We'll need a big game from GR3.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^
I just hope Beilein realizes that this is a BIG game. It's not just another game. He said he doesn't "circle" games. But it sure would be nice to know that the coach really has a passion for the MSU rivalry. That he wants to curb stomp them.
Let's goooooooo!
January 25th, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^
is as important in hoops as in football. With so many games on the schedule in BB and the likelihood of facing a rival anywhere from 2-3 times I think Coach B's philosophy of "steady as she goes" is the way to play it.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
coach Beilein.
January 25th, 2014 at 1:56 PM ^
And I hope Hoke would get off his butt and recruit.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
Jalen apologizes for partying.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
A liveblog?
January 25th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
Lots and lots of subs!
January 25th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
76-54. Michigan Blowout. Actually will be like 60-59 range.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^
Um, no -- no Payne.
PAIN!
Blue by 4.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^
For the board's information, the comparison stats - which don't really account for being down two of your best player in the case of MSU - are below:
Offense
|
Michigan | Michigan St. |
Points/Game | 77.2 | 79.9 |
Avg Score Margin | +13.4 | +16.0 |
Assists/Game | 15.6 | 17.8 |
Total Rebounds/Gm | 33.4 | 39.6 |
Effective FG % | 56.2% | 54.2% |
Off Rebound % | 27.0% | 31.7% |
FTA/FGA | 0.346 | 0.353 |
Turnover % | 12.4% | 14.1% |
Defense
|
Michigan | Michigan St. |
Opp Points/Game | 63.7 | 63.9 |
Opp Effective FG % | 48.1% | 43.7% |
Off Rebounds/Gm | 7.8 | 10.0 |
Def Rebounds/Gm | 22.9 | 27.1 |
Blocks/Game | 2.9 | 5.3 |
Steals/Game | 6.0 | 8.0 |
Personal Fouls/Gm | 14.8 | 17.6 |
I share them now to show how a healthier MSU team might stack up against our season averages, but I will guess that the absence of Payne and Dawson lower several of these - particularly points and rebounding percentage. It may very well tip the scales in our favor ever so slightly. Things being as they are, Michigan by a few possessions.
January 25th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
We will be bothered by a number of calls.
There will be countless mentions of MSU injuries and possibly one mention of the nation's top center being injured.
Sparty will admit that they'd gladly lose every other game all season if they win this one.
East Lansing will continue to be a miserable strip mall of a town
January 25th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
I'm not much for predictions but I see Levert as the key player for U-M. If he plays within himself they've got a great chance. It seems like bad things happen when he starts forcing the issue. They got away with it in the last two games, but I don't think they can overcome it against State.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
As he goes usually so does Michigan.
Quick quibble: Caris was fantastic against Wisconsin and was one of the reasons the Wolverines won (of course along with Nik). Michigan did not win in spite of him, unless you consider 20 points, 3-3 from deep and the line, 7 boards, 4 dimes, and 4 steals "getting away with it."
January 25th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
Caris has had some untimely turnovers the last few games but 20 points, 4 assists and 4 steals against Wisconsin and keeping Marble in check and a couple of steals against Iowa were critical contributions to both wins. They haven't been exactly overcoming his play.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
with Appling, Harris, Valentine, Trice, and Costello at C and tries to run us off the floor. I think this will be a great game and Sparty will still play an outstanding game without Payne and Dawson. We need to keep TO's down like usual and keep rebounding close to even (injuries should help here) and it will be up to GRIII and Caris to star on offense as Izzo will surely base his defense on smothering Stauskas. Michigan 72-68. Go Blue!!!
January 25th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
Nik is going to have fight like hell on the offensive end, no Duke-like purposelessness in his motion and cuts. I want to see Harris have to spend a lot of energy on him.
January 25th, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^
What about his play over the last month suggests a Duke like purposelessness from him? I'd say his movements these days are spent performing some hellish magical feat of double crossover, step-back three SURPRISE gonna drive and leaving the defender somewhere near Kalamazoo.
Nik will be alright.
January 25th, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
his ankle shows up I am sure he will be fine.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
we should win. But that's what scares me.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
An offensive explosion from the good guys, fed by a plethora of turnovers from the bad guys. 82-63 Michigan.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
For some reason I still think Staee wins. The home cookin from the refs will give them the edge.
January 25th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
couches will burn in anger.
January 25th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
Couches will burn either way.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^
Still wouldn't predict a Michigan win quite yet, but it should be closer than last year's shellacking we took there.
Then again, MSU has yet to play Michigan, Wisconsin, or Iowa and all of our offenses are top 5(!) in national efficiency.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
We build about a ten point lead, Staee whittles it down with some home cooking and the game is very close until we pull away a bit and win by six or so.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
81-77 Michigan
January 25th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
If we win today we will have beaten 3 of the 4 top 5 B1G teams other than Michigan on the road already. The other top 5 B1G team, Iowa, we beat at home. We are set up to run away with the title if we win. Things never go so smoothly so I assume we lay an egg today. Unfortunately State 73-61
January 25th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
I'm thinking GRIII is going to have himself a game. M - more points, State - less points.
January 25th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
Michigan 71
RCMB 64
GRIII has the chance to take this win back to A2! He will have a favorable match up and Coach B knows it.