Comments on: Wisconsin Game Recap (2/22/09)

By: The Top Ten Performances of the 2008-09 Season | Spartans Weblog

The Top Ten Performances of the 2008-09 Season | Spartans Weblog — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:58:04 +0000

[...] Goran Suton vs. Wisconsin 16 points on 6-6 FT shooting, 10 rebounds, 2 assists From the game recap: “Suton was a warrior. After not starting the game (apparently to reward Tom Herzog–he of [...]

By: Monday Links | UM Hoops.com

Monday Links | UM Hoops.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:48:06 +0000

[...] Wisconsin Game Recap (2/22/09) Big win for MSU [...]

By: Rob Y.

Rob Y. — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:44:05 +0000

what is up with the Izzone.? those guys were a non factor during most of the game. You folks get the good seats in exchange for making a little noise during the game. Even the “WEAK” part was for the most part weak.

Oh sure.. during the comeback you were whooping it up… but so was everyone else. I say perform or cough up your ringside seats.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:17:01 +0000

I also like Walton at the point, but I think that was only because Lucious was sick. Check out the minutes:

Lucas – 34
Walton – 24
Summmers – 24
Allen – 23
Lucious – 1

Nice balance between Summers and Allen who I consider interchangeable (?), but Allen’s ball handling is scary. I think if those four (excluding TW) each went for about 3 or 4 three point attempts per game we would be fine. Goal is to get everyones confidence high at the same time!

From Statsheet, we avg 5/15 and opponents 6/20, so net effect is about the same.

By: Mark in Chicago

Mark in Chicago — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:36:04 +0000

I am not as concerned about the 3-point shooting, since B10 defenses are clearly adjusting to what the Spartans do. There isn’t really a consistent inside threat (although Roe and Suton both have their moments) and so teams are spreading out and taking away the 3-point shot. Plus the caliber of opponent (and the defense) is better than earlier in the B10 season with the exception of IU. Here are their 3-point attempts by B10 game:

MIN: 18
NW: 16
OSU: 17
PSU: 15
ILL: 14
NW: 21
OSU: 21
IOW: 9 (didn’t need the 3 in this blowout)
PSU: 20
MINN: 12 (another blowout)
IU: 21 (close until the 2nd half)
UM: 14
PUR: 8
WIS: 9

I think the open 3-point looks will be there in the NCAA tourney, since teams won’t be as familiar with MSU’s many sets and plays. We shot a good percentage early in the B10 season, so I think we’ll be ok. However, MooTheKow makes a great point that we seem to have an abnormally high number of 20-foot jumpers.

By: Walters

Walters — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:16:05 +0000

@KJ: Bo Ryan only said that as a distraction while the Badger managers were plundering wallets and jewelry from the Spartans’ locker room.

By: Mark in DC

Mark in DC — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:48:17 +0000

I liked what running Walton off screens did for our offense – he did look Neitzel-like minus the touch from outside (which is a big minus) but had some good assists coming off screens.

As long as he keeps the turnovers down like yesterday, I also like the idea of giving Walton some time (not all game, but say 8-10 minutes per game) running the offense. Lucas at this point seems to be the only guy with confidence in his outside shot so if we can get him some open looks off screens it would help loosen up opposing defenses.

This was a fun win – I loved the way we came back from 12 down. It showed a lot of resilience, which we haven’t always seen in years past. I do find the lack of perimeter shooting a little troubling still. We were doing fine until the Indiana game and since then it has fallen off a cliff. The frustrating part of it is that we’ve got at least three options – Allen, Lucas and Summers – who have shown that they can hit threes consistently. Ideally, that would mean that when one of them is in a slump the others should be able to pick up the slack.

I’m somewhat optimistic the shooting will come back around since we looked good earlier in the season. Hopefully it will happen by the Illinois game because I don’t see us beating them in their house without some good perimeter shooting. It always feels good to beat Wisconsin.

By: zachary

zachary — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:44:56 +0000

i actually really enjoyed watching allen attack the basket a little, if he cant score shooting, i have no problem with him getting fouled while driving to the rim, he had a few nice takes.

his shot look so pure, its gonna start falling one of these days.

that three ball near the end of the game was beautiful.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:06:36 +0000

Classy words from Bo Ryan. Makes it harder for me to hate him as much as I do. Completely agree with the full court press. Even if it doesn’t create turnovers, it make it difficult for a slower team to get into their offensive sets.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:04:13 +0000

I liked seeing Walton running around on the offensive end. It seemed to be much more effective then him camping at the 3-pt line where everybody knows he won’t be shooting. This way his guy gets tired of chasing him on this end and has the B10 Defensive Player of the Year (?) in his grill on the other.

Nice to see Suton respond to Izzo’s tounge lashing. I’ve always thought he got a lot out of himself for not being the most talented, now he just needs to make the three a secondary weapon, not primary. He had some nice “D” in the post too, much better than against Purdue.

We have the horses, let’s use more of the full court press!