This year's Michigan State Spartans team are a throwback of sorts to the types of teams that Tom Izzo had in the mid-to-late 2000s to early 2010s. There's not as much talent in East Lansing as we're used to usually seeing. Instead we have a starting five that, although they lack McDonald's All-Americans and Jordan Brand Classic guys, possess athleticism, toughness and an … [Read more...] about Michigan State Spartans vs Ole Miss Rebels: Sweet 16 Game Preview
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Adreian Payne’s NBA career finally begins with Timberwolves
The best thing that happened to Adreian Payne, NBA career wise, was getting traded away from the Atlanta Hawks and to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He wasn't going to get much playing time with the Eastern Conference's first place team; who have now pretty much solidified the #1 seed in the East. Payne was drafted 15th overall by Atlanta, but never broke into their rotation; … [Read more...] about Adreian Payne’s NBA career finally begins with Timberwolves
Michigan State has many non-conference wins, but most with struggles
There's no question that the teams of Tom Izzo are much better in March -when it counts- then November/December. But nothing has come easy for this Spartans team. It seems like every time they play inferior competition they struggle with them. They still win, but play way down to their level. They did it again versus Texas, trailing in the second half. Yes, the Longhorns … [Read more...] about Michigan State has many non-conference wins, but most with struggles
Michigan State: toughest team wins nation’s toughest conference
It's the league with the nation's best RPI and SoS; therefore the Big Ten is the nation's "toughest conference." And therefore the team which look the league title is toughest of the tough. "Built Ford Tough" like they say in nearby Detroit. The #5 Michigan State Spartans lost a chance to win the outright Big Ten title on a jumper by Ohio State's Will Buford with 0.8 seconds … [Read more...] about Michigan State: toughest team wins nation’s toughest conference
CONTROVERSIAL Buzzer Beater Ending as #10 Michigan St. wins at #18 Wisconsin
It's only the third of the year yet Wisconsin has three home losses this college basketball season. Seriously, when do the Badgers lose more than twice at the Kohl Center in an entire season? Let alone three times? No. 18 Wisconsin fell to 12-4 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten with a 63-60, overtime loss to No. 10 Michigan State (14-2, 3-0) tonight. What a way for Tom Izzo to … [Read more...] about CONTROVERSIAL Buzzer Beater Ending as #10 Michigan St. wins at #18 Wisconsin
Big 10 Hoops Media Day: Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue
Thursday was Big Ten basketball media day, and with it came a set of special quotes and soundbites. Sure, this day is all about college basketball message control. The Universities and SIDs trying to manipulate the information they want you to have, but it doesn't mean there aren't some interesting and articulate statements out there. When you get all the coaches and some of … [Read more...] about Big 10 Hoops Media Day: Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue
Big Ten Basketball Season to Take a Small Step Down This Year
Since 2009, we all saw this coming. Back then Big Ten basketball was dominated by a large group of sophomores that would only raise the conference profile higher to it's peak in 2011. And we knew that once that group was gone (Kalin Lucas, Talor Battle, JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Durrell Summers, Demetri McCamey etc.) the next year would see the conference take a small step … [Read more...] about Big Ten Basketball Season to Take a Small Step Down This Year
Mateen Cleaves Michigan State Hall of Fame Induction Speech
You remember Mateen Cleaves don't you? The national college basketball poster child for 2000 March Madness, the fiery point guard with the Bill Cosby sweaters and large mouth who led the Michigan State Spartans to the big prize! Yes, the ultimate personification of the term "floor general," the greatest of the MSU "Flintstones," has a new honor to his credit. Watch the video … [Read more...] about Mateen Cleaves Michigan State Hall of Fame Induction Speech
Michigan State is a Program in Severe Crisis, but What’s Next?
As I articulated in the first part of this feature, the Michigan State college basketball season is ostensibly over. (Follow that link for more detail, but if your only colors are green and white I’m warning you now: “there’s no comfort in the truth, pain is all you’ll find,” as George Michael told us in the 1980s) State's packing it in is no longer news to anyone close the … [Read more...] about Michigan State is a Program in Severe Crisis, but What’s Next?
Michigan State: Season is Essentially Over, Program in Crisis?
Is it all downhill for the Michigan State Spartans? Clearly, this season is over, and State has packed it in. If losing to Michigan for the first time in 1,100+ days didn’t convince you, then maybe the requirement of overtime to achieve 3/5 of their conference wins did. No? Then last night’s phantasmagoric performance in Iowa City certainly does. The Iowa Hawkeyes are … [Read more...] about Michigan State: Season is Essentially Over, Program in Crisis?