Michigan rooting for State???
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney09/columns/story?columnist=sch…
I don't know how I feel about this article. It is pretty cool that an ESPN article hits so close to home, but it doesn't hit home for me personally. Who are people cheering for tonight?
I always thought I had a problem when I got so much pleasure out of watching MSU lose at anything - you know, football, basketball, hockey, random women's basketball game, basketweaving, life. It sure is refreshing to know that there are other people out there (on here - mgoblog) that have the same issues. I can't in good conscience cheer for UNC, but boy I sure hope sparty goes out and sucks at everything. Also, I'm an M grad who lives in the state, and am very effected by the economic conditions here. And I still hope sparty loses. The only sunshine they're bringing to the state is shining right up their own @$$#$.
I won't be rooting for State and I don't want them winning a national championship, but I do agree that there are some good reasons to root for them:
-It would be a nice boost for a depressed state like Michigan, in Detroit no less.
-Big 10 brethren
Did the Stanley Cup do much to lift spirits in Detroit last year?
I wasn't in Detroit (Ann Arbor is home), but there was a huge parade and such. And yeah, for a few days, it was pretty awesome and I think it kinda did lift spirits.
Besides, I think college basketball is something that more folks pay attention to and a State win would be something to be proud of.
That being said, it's not gonna happen, so it won't matter if I cheer for or against them anyways.
I grew up in NC. When I lived there, I usually rooted for NC State and therefore couldn't stand UNC. That's still the case.
Now having lived in Michigan and attended UM, I of course root for the Maize n Blue and therefore can't stand MSU. That's still the case.
I will watch the game however, rooting only for the possibility of an entertaining game. If it gets to be a blow out, I'll turn the TV to something else.
watching the Tigers game regardless of whether or not it was a good game.
They're not going to beat North Carolina
Why do I like Izzo? He's aggressive, he coaches well, his teams seem well prepared, they don't collapse, they're tough. As far as I know, he doesn't cheat. As far as I know, he isn't deliberately a jerk (like Dantonio or tuna Weis, for example.) I think he has done a lot with the talent level on the team. I think that UConn & Louisville might have had more raw "talent," but they were outcoached and outplayed.
I'm sure Williams is a good coach, maybe a great coach, but I don't think he's had to work as hard as Izzo because he's had more raw talent. However, this is unproven conjecture.
I suspect Hansbrough is a jerk, but I don't know that for a fact.
BTW, I think Beilein is an excellent coach, and his teams will also be very well prepared, and max out their ability.
Finally, I agree with Brian . . . whatever, who cares. I just don't hate State, and I do hate when the Big 10 is ripped by media, whether in football or basketball, as being a weaker or inferior conference. Seeing the Big 10 beat the Big East and a traditional power like UNC brings me joy. OTOH, I will never root for State in Football.
Seriously you can pull for State to win and still be "true blue" or whatever. This win would mean alot for the State of Michigan as a whole! Get that...I would love for Manny & Sims to be the team in Michigan to do it but that's next year. Not pulling for State makes you less of a Michigan Man. Go Blue!
According to a sports reporter on WTKA today the city was supposed to get between 30-50 million dollars. The reporter from ESPN said it's only gaining about 18 million dollars because of the final four. This is because 95% of the student's at MSU are from the suburbs of Detroit which is why they don't bother to get hotels and eat at restaurants in the city of Detroit. So it is not as big of an economic boost to have MSU in the big dance it is rather the opposite. The city lost out on a potential 10-20+ because MSU is in the finals. So, the argument that it's good for the economy is crap. If they win it will bring the moral in the state up, but it won't generate 10-20+ million to the city of Detroit because of the win.
I rep my state. Both MSU and U-M will always be in my heart. But when it is MSU vs. U-M then fuck MSU!! But any other time MSU is cool.