This what #9 Michigan State has given up in scoring in their four losses: 67 to North Carolina, 74 to Duke, 81 to Northwestern, 6o to Michigan. In their 16 wins, they've held everyone under 70 with the exception of Lehigh; a game they won 90-81. The losses to the Wolverines and Tar Heels were much more on the offense than the D, but the pattern is still obvious: when the … [Read more...] about Michigan State Needs to Fix Defensive Lapses to Become Elite
Michigan State Spartans
Mich St Fans Get Repulsive; Draymond Tips Ball into Purdue Goal
Michigan State may have absolutely slaughtered Purdue 83-58 yesterday, but the battle between the two traditional Big Ten powers still had some embarrassing, and down-right dark moments in the lop-sided win. Spartans leader (in scoring, rebounding and emotion) Draymond Green accidentally stuffed the ball home for Purdue (watch video after the jump). But much worse, the … [Read more...] about Mich St Fans Get Repulsive; Draymond Tips Ball into Purdue Goal
Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) is an algorithm based on opponents' winning percentage, opponents' opponents' winning percentage, and opponents' opponents' opponents' winning percentage. This is the truth, I'm not trying to sound like Dr. Seuss here. So RPI is like the BCS, a very controversial number that certains groups of people ascribe meaning to; other groups of people … [Read more...] about Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
#6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Was this a huge upset? On one level, yes. Any time the most prominent college basketball program in the Big Ten falls to the program with the least amount of tradition in the conference, it's huge! Not to mention it ended the biggest win streak that prominent On the other hand, Northwestern came in with a RPI of 28 while Michigan State's number is 6, so it's not that big … [Read more...] about #6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Michigan State on Biggest Winning Streak Since Izzo’s 1st Final Four Team
When the #6 Michigan State Spartans head to Northwestern on Saturday, they'll do so riding a 15 game winning streak=longest winning streak since the 1998-99 season, when they won 22 in a row before losing to Duke in the Final Four. That was Tom Izzo's fourth season at the helm in East Lansing, and the first of his six Final Fours. That team lost to the Wisconsin Badgers at … [Read more...] about Michigan State on Biggest Winning Streak Since Izzo’s 1st Final Four Team
Outback Bowl vs. Georgia: Serious Let-Down for Michigan State
On paper, the Outback Bowl: Michigan State vs. Georgia is a great game. Two schools that are much more worthy of being in the BCS than Virginia Tech, and probably more deserving than Michigan. So clearly, it's a better game than the Sugar Bowl. And the Orange Bowl too. Clemson is nothing special, and no Big East team, let alone West Virginia should be allowed anywhere near … [Read more...] about Outback Bowl vs. Georgia: Serious Let-Down for Michigan State
Michigan St. B1G Title Game Loss: Emotionally Devastating
The Michigan State Spartans pulled out all the stops last night, but it jsut wasn't enough. They out-gained the Wisconsin Badgers in yardage by a wide margin, and took advantage of some trick plays, but it still didn't yield a W. Like I said in my B1G Title game preview on Wednesday: This game has that Mark Dantonio “trickeration” feel. Like they could win the game on a … [Read more...] about Michigan St. B1G Title Game Loss: Emotionally Devastating
Michigan St. QB’s Strong Words for Bowl System, League, Michigan
Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins is a very accomplished player. He re-wrote much of the Spartans record book for passing, and winning. So he has a lot of room to talk. Tonight's inaugural Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis was an instant classic. It featured a lot of scoring and lead changes, and came down to the wire. Unfortunately for MSU it was decided on … [Read more...] about Michigan St. QB’s Strong Words for Bowl System, League, Michigan
Can Michigan State Reach the Rose Bowl? B1G Championship Game Preview
Here we go- the inaugural Big Ten Championship game- a play-in game for the Rose Bowl. Something MSU has has been playing for and focusing on for awhile. This year in East Lansing, it's all about "P4RB" meaning "Prepare for Rose Bowl" for the Michigan State Spartans. It's a slogan you'll find displayed on t-shirts within the program. It originated during a presentation … [Read more...] about Can Michigan State Reach the Rose Bowl? B1G Championship Game Preview
Michigan State’s Defense is Nation’s 3rd Best; Only LSU and Alabama Higher
Michigan State has a defensive unit ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense, allowing 257.3 yards per game. Only two teams have topped 400 yards of total offense against defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi’s unit. Just the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide are better than State at stopping their opponents. Of course, those two SEC units will play for the national title in … [Read more...] about Michigan State’s Defense is Nation’s 3rd Best; Only LSU and Alabama Higher