Thursday M v. MSU open discussion

Submitted by ijohnb on

Predictions, key matchups, keys to victory, jokes about Keebler and Sherman, predictions as to "butterfly" reference totals, maize or white unis, everything Michigan v. Michigan State if you care to comment. 

Avoid unnecessary insults and discussion killers such as "Prediction - Michigan and Michigan State will play a game on Saturday" or "in other news, water is wet" type garbage.  If you don't want to comment just don't.

Five predictions for Saturday:

Izzo gets a first half technical foul

Summers >10 points; Lucas <20 points

Much more 1-3-1 from Michigan than at any point during the season.

A Zach Novak lead-extending 3 pointer sends Crisler into a frenzy late second half.

Michigan's end-game foul shooting continues to be a problem.

uofmmarcum

March 3rd, 2011 at 9:42 AM ^

Darius Morris goes for more than 20.

Hardaway is right around 20.

Lucas tops 25.

We get at least one shot of Izzo doing his deflated squat.

Michigan student section gets to end the game by chanting "NIT, NIT, NIT" at MSU.

2Blue4You

March 3rd, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

I was planning on painting my chest 1 for the 146 days since MSU beat Michigan in football or basketball.  Does anyone else want to be a 4 or a 6?  I have been doing pushups all week and tanning at least twice a day.  Let me know.  

ijohnb

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^

just how excited about it they are.  To a person, they are just so intensely committed to their task.  Biggest moment of their lives. Really funny.

dchubbs24

March 3rd, 2011 at 9:46 AM ^

Due to my basketball career, this is actually the FIRST game I'll ever see in Crisler... I don't think I could have picked a better game. GO BLUE!

readyourguard

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^

A sold out Crisler Arena on Saturday afternoon.

A chance to sweep Sparty

Lock up a tournament bid

Knock little brother OUT of the tournament

Celebrate in Ann Arbor for hours afterwards.

That, my friends, is a TREMENDOUS DAY.

Braylon 5 Hour…

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^

Predictions:

1)  Durrell Summers stays irrelevant

2)  Draymond Green and Kalin Lucas are annoyingly clutch and keep MSU in the game when they have no business staying in the game

3)  Our best crowd and atmosphere of the season

ijohnb

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^

Durrell Summers.  Hate to even comment due to fear that he will break out of it on Saturday, but that guy actually looks physically and facially different than years past.  I thought he was going to be a legit All-American candidate, can't explain that one.

Braylon 5 Hour…

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^

He still scares me but this isn't just a little "slump"... 8 straight games he hasn't even been in double figures, he's just so uninvolved on the court now, it's a really bizarre case.  He did have 13 and 10 against us the last time... 

GoBlogSparty

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^

I'm right there with you.....he showed flashes of greatness but never was able to continue it on a consistent basis. The big thing about this year, is that he rarely even showed those flashes of greatness.

BlueNote

March 3rd, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^

The potential was there.  He has a nice 3, good height, decent strength, athletic, and can finish at the rim.  That was my analysis from the tourney.  Didn't really watch him during the regular season ever. 

What he seems to be lacking is the ability to create his own shot.  Not sure why he hasn't been worked into the offense more to set him up though.  Maybe opposing coaches are game-planning more against him. 

Braylon 5 Hour…

March 3rd, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^

He is averaging 11.9 ppg versus 11.3 last year, but the other stats are not even close.  He shot 45% from the field, 80% from the line, and 38% from 3s last year, and improved substantially as the year went on.  MSU had a lot more offensive weapons last year than this year and how he stepped up without Lucas was impressive.

This year he's under 40% from the field , 67% from the line, 36% from 3s...and he was averaging 15 or so a game through the non conference season and has just completely tanked in conference play.  I didn't expect him to be an All American but I think expectations for him to be an All Big 10 caliber player were merited and therefore it's pretty surprising what he's done (or not done) this year.

MGoChippewa

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^

Key matchup: Smotrycz/Horford/McLimans/Christian v. MSU's big men;  They just need to manage to make the simple plays and not get hammered on defensively.  Anything in the positive we get from them would be great

Scoring: Morgan with 12, Morris with 15, Hardaway with 18

Prediction: Michigan by 7 in the grind-it-out style it seems like these two usually play.

ijohnb

March 3rd, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^

will try to persuade MSU into a 3 point contest to combat States size.  I see foul trouble if they get us pinned man to man down low.  State is going to try to get into the bonus quickly with Roe, Nix, etc. just fumbling their way to the hoop.  Think we will go zone early, not really extending it, but really more packing it in.

bronxblue

March 3rd, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

MSU keeps it close, but unlike last year MSU won't escape with a cheap win.  It will be VERY loud all game, though, but hopefully the good guys are the reason everyone is cheering.

tbeindit

March 3rd, 2011 at 2:09 PM ^

That's a pretty big claim.  MSU has been playing much better, but Michigan plays pretty well at home and obviously has the win over MSU earlier in the season.  Michigan better beat them.  The sweep is what will make this year for me

Kaminski16

March 3rd, 2011 at 3:12 PM ^

When Izzo has to "find a way a way to beat Michigan," the gap has been closed... bitch. Fuck State and everything they respresent, can't wait to sweep Sparty.

Fuck Dantonio, Valenti, and the whole lot of 'em.

Pride something something fall?