Comments on: Minnesota Game Preview

By: spartanproducer

spartanproducer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:46:37 +0000

agreed, we were able to beat Minny at their own game (defense and toughness) yet had more athletes which enabled us to kill them on the boards and create more buckets (namely Lucas who they had no matchup for)

Your points about starting in a hole are true, and now we have a chance to start with two road wins, which would give us a huge leg up on the rest of the league.

By: hubert

hubert — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:32:21 +0000

spartanproducer — I know what you mean, but these early away games have put MSU in a hole so often in the past. Also, the eventual Big Ten Champion ends up winning these games, and let’s face it these are the games that have killed MSU’s championship chances for the last couple years.

Having said all that — great win today, with solid defense and — as far as I could tell without looking at the box score — very few turnovers. Lucas was just dynamite, and I would not underestimate Suton’s role, with his usual quiet double double and solid interior defense. Now, to confirm in Evanston!

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:17:55 +0000

Now _that’s_ how to start the conference season. Fantastic second half.

By: rook34

rook34 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:19:01 +0000

I really don’t expect a win today. Delvon being out means either Gray or Ibok have to step up on the road, and I don’t see that happening.

Biggest issue I see will be adjusting to the Big 10 road officiating, and while I think we’ll be all right at that by the end of the year, it’s not going to happen today.

Gophers double us in free throw attempts and win by 7-8, pulling away by hitting free throws at the end.

No reason we can’t win, but I don’t see it today. Split the first two on the road and get home to get ready for the Buckeyes and Kansas.

By: TMadison25

TMadison25 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:31:38 +0000

Right, 2pt%. That makes sense now. Weird that Purdue could’ve won with those numbers by hitting both late free throws.

spartanproducer… I agree that it won’t make or break the season, but getting off to a great start in Big Ten play after Purdue slipped would build up some momentum. That game at Crisler will be tough as well. Sucks we don’t play them at Breslin.

By: spartanproducer

spartanproducer — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:03:38 +0000

Hubert, you may be placing way too much importance on a road game at a place that’s tough to win at. Looking at our road schedule, this is either the 2nd or 3rd toughest road game we have (Purdue and Illinois look to be the only ones in a tougher environment). A loss here doesn’t guarantee a fifth place finish, just like a win doesn’t guarantee a league title.

If we win all of our home games and go 5-4 on the road, we’ll win the league, so it’s certainly reasonable that Minnesota could be one of those losses.

Not trying to be all negative like many internet types (and actually I think we’ll win) but a little balance is nice. Realistically we need to split the two road games this week, then go to a stretch where we finally get some home games (at which point I think we’ll really improve).

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:12:47 +0000

Bruce Weber completely outcoached Matt Painter down the stretch. Those 2 plays he called after timeouts at then end of regulation were brilliant. I couldn’t believe they called the foul on Illinois at the end. If I was an Illinois fan I would’ve broke my t.v. Illinois seems to have had bad luck every year. I was glad to see them win and I expect them to finish in the top 5 of the Big Ten. I cannot remember a season where the Big Ten was this wide open. I could see State winning the Big Ten or finishing outside the top 5. Should be a fun season to watch with lots of close games.

By: kj

kj — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:56:13 +0000

The first number is 2pt%, not overall FG%, T. But their shooting performance was definitely u-g-l-y either way.

By: TMadison25

TMadison25 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:52:02 +0000

That Purdue line was even worse… .381/.250/.556

Forgot that tip-off was at noon… Must leave work early. Worried that Roe isn’t involved. Spartans need to start off on a high-note.

By: hubert

hubert — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:38 +0000

Key key game, today. The last couple years, the first away games have been disasters for MSU, and the big ten champs each of the last couple years were teams that did not lose to mid to bottom table teams, like Minny or Northwestern. If MSU drops this one, I see 6,7 losses again and another third place finish. If they win both of these first two games, then I predict this team really is different and a championship is within its sights.

Will they win? Talent wise, it is no contest. But we all know that between a lack of consistency on MSU’s part and those crazy big ten refs, anything is possible. Two big questions for me: how does Walton play, and has the defense improved over the christmas break. I don’t have statistics to back it up, but I believe Walton has often been the culprit in these away games with silly turnovers and zero offense. as for defense, well, if Minny makes more than 5 threes, MSU loses…