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In recent years, we’ve seen a major surge in tweets from media members and pundits that end with: “both things can be true.” Tweets such as these are required, given the binary mode of thinking that is so prevalent in America these days. Despite rapid advances in information technology and ways to disseminate that information, more people are regressing intellectually.
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Lots of college basketball pundits have deemed the Big Ten the strongest conference in the nation this season, and the numbers seen to verify this. From top to bottom, it’s the strongest conference in the country, but it’s strongest teams aren’t among the elite of the elite nationally.
The Big Ten has three teams, #6 Michigan State, #10 Michigan and #13 Purdue that have a legitimate shot of winning it all, but none are likely to earn a #1 seed on Selection Sunday. You won’t find any of that trio among the top favorites to be crowned kings of March Madness either. In short, the Midwestern based league, headquartered in Chicago, is just not top heavy enough.
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Before Michigan and Michigan State played for the Big Ten Tournament title, in what was their third meeting this this season, both head coaches discussed the growing significance of their heated rivalry. Both Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and Michigan head man John Beilein opined on the idea of MSU-Michigan being/one day becoming on par with North Carolina-Duke.
Playing for the third time in a span of just three weeks, the Michigan-Michigan State blood feud is becoming more relevant and entertaining by the year.
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You know how it is with Michigan State basketball- the season really doesn’t begin until March. Reaching the NCAA Tournament is basically automatic for this program, so success or failure is judged by what they do in the The Big Dance.
That said, today’s 73-63 loss at Purdue was certainly disheartening for several reasons. This team really needs wing Joshua Langford, and the dimensions that he gives them, back very badly. Langford missed eighth straight game today due to an ankle injury, the specifics of which the school has kept quiet. Michigan State basketball certainly has a #2 seed profile right now, and with a little work, could be on that top line come Selection Sunday.
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When Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller switched positions, many media members portrayed the decision as a selfless act by an individual placing team needs above his own. That’s a half-truth. Miller has no NFL future as a QB. He does have a lot of pro potential as a wide receiver though. So the situation is actually a win-win for Braxton Miller, for both his individual, and his team goals.
Take the case of former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El? Like Miller, he wasn’t tall enough to play quarterback in the NFL, so Randle El moved to receiver where he had a very fine pro career. He especially excelled on special teams. Braxton Miller is dynamic like Randle El, but he has more size.
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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; hence he was traded to the T’Wolves for a lottery-protected first round pick.
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Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has been on a roll lately when it comes to press conferences. Last month at Northwestern he told us about how we’re in a “soft society.” Izzo added “everyone gets a trophy, give ’em a trophy for 23rd place.” (full harangue here).
Today, on the Big Ten coaches conference call, Tom Izzo was extremely critical of Facebook, Twitter and social media in general. Yes, he’s been derisive of these institutions in the past, but that was always more subtle. And Tom Izzo has not bashed social media on a level like this.
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With Michigan State’s victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, the Spartans clinched a berth in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1988; a game MSU won 20-17 over USC. For the Big Ten, it meant only it’s third Rose Bowl victory in the last 15 years; going 2-12 from 1974 to 1987.
The years that followed, however, the Big Ten experienced a great amount of success from 1989-2000 going 8-4 over the Pac-10 (now 12) in the Rose Bowl.
Now the Big Ten, not just Michigan State, is praying for history to repeat itself.
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Let me make this absolutely clear. I despise writing posts about athlete personal lives. It’s mindless drivel which is so far beneath me…there isn’t enough alcohol distilled on this Earth that could dumb me down enough to actually care about player/coach wives, girlfriends, babies, kids etc. I’m going to keep “articles” on that TMZ crapola to a minimum moving forward.
That said, a San Francisco 49ers tight end that you’ve never heard of has a Hooters girlfriend in Sarah Hinton, a Michigan State graduate who was a finalist for Miss Hooters 2012. She’s attractive enough that I must break my rule about writing about cliche jersey-chasers.
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Mateen Cleaves is not only one of the most legendary names in Michigan State history, he’s also one of the most iconic players in college basketball lore. This Spartan warrior is known for winning a national title while on crutches, being a stellar point guard and the ugly Bill Cosby style sweaters he wore on the bench when injured.
Mateen Cleaves played in the NBA for 6 years, including a couple years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. He later played in the NBDL, Russia and Greece. Now the Big Ten icon of icon is joining CBS Sports as a studio analyst.
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For Michigan State basketball the NCAA Tournament journey begins in the friendly confines of the Detroit suburbs. The Michigan State drew Auburn Hills, Michigan for their regional, home of the Detroit Pistons. Obviously this is fantastic for Sparty. All the Michigan State basketball fans will already be right there. MSU has the most recent national title of any Big Ten team. And their bracket draw this year has some similarities with that magical 2000 run. This year, as well as that title year of 2000: Michigan St. played Valparaiso in their first tournament game. The road to the title included 2/3 same locations: Detroit and Indianapolis, both drivable locations for their rabid, often-intoxicated Michigan State fan base.
Tom Izzo certainly is “Mr. March” as Michigan State is 71-29 in March since 1998-99. Given the strength of the Big Ten this year, these Spartans will be more battle tested than usual. For officially the fourth time in Big Ten history, and third in the last five seasons, the Big Ten will send seven programs to the NCAA Tournament. It marks the sixth time in the last eight years that the Big Ten has had six or more teams in the bracket. Michigan State basketball always schedules extremely tough in the non-conference, making them ready for what really counts in March. They take their lumps in November and learn from them so that they can survive and advance into April
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Notre Dame recruited Garrick Sherman coming out of high school. But the 6-10, 240 pound center choose Michigan State instead. But the Irish have him in 2012-13, and he had a huge night in ND’s 5 OT victory over Louisville, a game everyone will remember. The Shermanator is the first player to transfer to Notre Dame since June ’08 when Mike Brey welcomed 2011 Big East Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough from Mississippi State and current Irish senior forward Scott Martin from Purdue.
Sherman didn’t even play until overtime tonight, but he made the most of his minutes, getting 17 points on 7-9 shooting and 6 rebounds.
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