" title="Spartans Weblog">Spartans Weblog

A statistical look at Michigan State basketball, with a dash of football talk

Minnesota Game Recap/Ohio State Open Thread Combo Meal

Posted by kj on Friday, March 13th, 2009

Minnesota Game Recap

MSU advances past Minnesota 64-56 in a 64-possession game.  StatSheet box score.

Having digested 5 full hours of basketball since the game ended (we bolted at halftime of the last game), all I can give you is a graph:

And some bullets:

  • Disappointingly small rebounding advantage and a negative turnover differential.  Three-point shooting (41.7% vs. 18.8%) and FT shooting (61.3% vs. 48.3%) were the difference.  Thank goodness they shot even worse from the line than we did.
  • Remember when we all wanted Izzo to bench Chris Allen?  I told you we’d need him eventually.  17 points on 11 FG attempts in 26 minutes.  Zero turnovers.  Good to see both him and Lucas hitting from outside going into tomorrow’s game against the Ohio State zone.
  • Did Marquise Gray really only play 6 minutes?  I find this nearly impossible to believe.  11 points on 4 FG attempts to go with 6 rebounds.
  • Draymond Green did a nice job, too, with Suton and Morgan limited by fouls.  5 rebounds in 17 minutes.  Only 1 assist in the box score, but he had a couple nice passes to set Gray up to be fouled.

No style points for this one, but all that matters in the conference tournament is advancing.  Unlike most other teams in the conference, we can find ways to win even when our stars don’t play their best games.

Ohio State Open Thread/Mini-Preview

Saturday, 1:40.  Conseco Field House, Indianapolis.  CBS.

As I was watching the Ohio State-Wisconsin game, I had mixed feelings about who I wanted to win.  Wisconsin is, of course, our arch nemesis.  Losing to them again this year would have been the worst case scenario among all possible tournament results (at least from an emotional standpoint).  But from an X’s-and-O’s standpoint, you know what you’re getting with them.  They’re an efficient, but unspectacular, team.  If MSU played to their capability, they’d beat them.  If they didn’t, a loss would be likely.

The Buckeyes are more of an unknown.  They play zone defense almost exclusively, which puts a big premium on how well we shoot the ball from the outside.  Their small lineup, with Evan Turner playing at the 4 spot much of the time, will create match-up problems on defense.  And we can’t expect the Buckeyes to be exactly the same team we beat twice in the first half of the conference schedule; Ohio State is 8-4 since our last match-up.  Turner, William Buford, Jon Diebler, and B.J. Mullens are arguably the most talented offensive foursome in the league right now.  And P.J. Hill and Jeremie Simmons are looking more comfortable at point guard than they were when we last saw them.

Those are my concerns.  Nevertheless, it’s still our game to win.  We should have a big advantage on the boards.  And hopefully are deeper rotation will allow us to play at a higher intensity level, as Ohio State basically plays a 7-man rotation.  My guess is it will come down to whether we have the mental tenacity to execute against the zone for a full 40 minutes.

I have to go to bed now (staying up for all 6 OTs of the UConn-Syracuse game last night was worth it, but I’m paying the price tonight).  So I’ll leave the rest of the discussion to all of you out there in comment land.

GO GREEN!

P.S. Great Spartan turnout at Conseco today.  Clearly the second biggest fan contingent after Illinois (who always manage to flood the BTT venue with a sea of orange, regardless of where it’s played). The MSU section was full; our tickets (acquired through the MSU Ticket Office) are in an overflow area half way up the Minnesota section.

« « BTT Open Thread: MSU-Minnesota | Ohio State Game Recap (3/14/09) » »

Tags: , , , , ,

Filed in game recap, open thread53 responses so far

53 Responses to “Minnesota Game Recap/Ohio State Open Thread Combo Meal”

  1. kjon 13 Mar 2009 at 10:36 pm 1

    Syracuse going to OT again tonight. Unbelievable.

  2. Philon 14 Mar 2009 at 12:40 am 2

    On a somewhat related not, ESPN’s east coast bias is ridiculous. I just watched some analysts try to make the case that, in their losses today, Minnesota and Wisconsin are out of the tournament.

  3. MooTheKowon 14 Mar 2009 at 7:24 am 3

    Yes.. the ESPN analysis hate the big ten (especially Digger and John Saunders). They don’t even pretend to hide their disdain… it’s awful.

  4. Chrison 14 Mar 2009 at 8:24 am 4

    Breaking news.. The ACC has announced that they will have their own conference network similar to the Big Ten. It will be called ESPN/ESPN2.

  5. Joeon 14 Mar 2009 at 10:46 am 5

    From the ESPN preview of the MSU/OSU tilt this afternoon:

    “He proved why he’s the best player in the league, because he gets things done and makes his team successful,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said of Turner.

    There is really no love lost between us and Wisconsin, huh? I pull for all the other Big Ten Schools out of conference (any chance to make the conference look better)…but man, I don’t like Bo.

    I’m assuming he didn’t vote for Kalin for POY.

  6. Seeron 14 Mar 2009 at 11:55 am 6

    Cheer up, it’s all CBS broadcasts from here on out.

  7. JJJon 14 Mar 2009 at 11:58 am 7

    This year is a great opportunity for the BigTen to make a statement in the tournament. First we have all of the hate coming from everyone at espn, so any success will be highlighted because of that. Also, alot of the teams are going to be seeded in the 8-11 range, so if anyone wins a few or goes on a run, those will be “upset” wins.
    Of course, that seeding also means the BigTen could fall flat on its face with some tough first round match ups. I don’t think that will happen though.

    Also, Is there anyone at espn that is a “BigTen guy”? Previous player or coach or anything? (besides Bob Knight) This might be part of the problem. I can’t think of anyone …

  8. Seeron 14 Mar 2009 at 12:26 pm 8

    1) ESPN broadcasts all but five Big East match ups, those five being on CBS. That’s out of something like 145 games.

    2) ESPN cannot possibly be showing even half of Big 10 games. Between CBS and BTN, I think ESPN shows maybe 2 Big 10 games a week.

    3) Digger Phelps hates MSU, and by extension the Big 10.

    4) The one guy from the Big 10, Bob Knight, got fired for conduct reasons and finished his career in the Big XII. Deep down BK is still an IU guy, but he didn’t exactly leave Big 10 country on a good note.

  9. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 12:44 pm 9

    Oh goody, another Hightower game – and this time he gets Donnee Gray to join him. Is there any ref more universally reviled than Hightower?

  10. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 12:44 pm 10

    Anyone know where I can watch this game online?

  11. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 12:47 pm 11

    I should have guessed I wouldn’t be able to watch it… Did Roe just make two free throws? Nice.

  12. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 12:55 pm 12

    We’ve been great on offense, but Ohio State’s getting too many open looks.

  13. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 12:58 pm 13

    Suton can’t seem to figure out how to make a layup without traveling. Twice now he’s taken an extra step.

  14. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:01 pm 14

    Spoke too soon about the offense – we’ve gotten sloppy all of a sudden. OSU’s still shooting lights out: 67% overall, 3 for 3 from range.

  15. Seeron 14 Mar 2009 at 1:02 pm 15

    We need someone bigger on Mullens. Maybe send in Ibok for defense?

  16. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:06 pm 16

    Lauderdale guards the inbounds very tightly – so much so that yesterday I saw the refs pushing him back before just about every inbounds play against Wisconsin. He might have to be careful not to get a T for reaching across (I’ve rarely seen it called unless you actually swat at the ball, though).

  17. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:09 pm 17

    We’ve just gone cold from the field, while OSU keeps burying shots. We need to break this run in a hurry.

  18. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:09 pm 18

    Arggh. I want to watch this game! OSU has some future NBA players on their team… We have to get them out of their offensive rhythm.

  19. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:16 pm 19

    Finally, we bring it inside and get a bucket. Easier said than done against a zone, I know, but we’ve got to get inside and pound away.

  20. rook34on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:22 pm 20

    Shots just aren’t going down. Gotta get to half close and try and regroup. They are getting a lot of good shots.

  21. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:22 pm 21

    I do think that the Big Ten is underrated by the media, but many of the lower seeds are probably going to struggle in the tournament. That said, I think Ohio State, Purdue and MSU have the best chances at some damage.

  22. Jasonon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:26 pm 22

    I love what Green brings!

  23. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:28 pm 23

    Somebody needs to guard Buford. He’s been getting way too many open looks.

  24. MooTheKowon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:30 pm 24

    Ouch… Bufford killing MSU…. at least they’re only down five for as poorly as they’ve played.

  25. rook34on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:34 pm 25

    We actually shot well on 2 pointers. The outside shooting is not working, and that means death against the zone.

  26. Tmanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:35 pm 26

    Same story when playing poorly: lots of turnovers and not stopping the three ball. Didn’t we see this in losses to N’Western, Pstate and P’due?

    Amazing Izzo and company hasn’t figured a way to stop the “TOvers” this late in the season

  27. rook34on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:36 pm 27

    We are the best 3 point defense team in the league. Have been all year. Sometimes, guys just make shots.

  28. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:42 pm 28

    Yes, Izzo… Why can’t you teach the team to not turn the ball over, make every shot and make every free throw?

  29. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:43 pm 29

    Agreed, rook. This team is young and putting things together at the right time.

  30. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:50 pm 30

    Why are we kicking the ball out every time we get inside? With the outside shots not falling, we have to concentrate on going to the rim.

  31. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 1:56 pm 31

    HIGHTOWER!!! That was not one but two charges on Lauderdale, and Suton gets his third instead.

  32. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 1:57 pm 32

    What did he do this time?

  33. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:01 pm 33

    Has Ohio State made a single basket that isn’t a 3 or an and-1?

  34. MooTheKowon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:06 pm 34

    #1 seed talk being put to rest pretty conclusively in this game.

  35. rook34on 14 Mar 2009 at 2:14 pm 35

    We actually are getting some good looks. They just are not going in.

  36. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:19 pm 36

    Better to have the brickfest today than in the next few weeks, I guess, but for crying out loud can we get a single shot to go?

  37. Jasonon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:20 pm 37

    We’re catching some breaks today, but if it makes you feel better, Eddie Hightower hates every Big Ten team equally. I’ve yet to run into a fanbase that doesn’t think he’s out to get their team (see us, Michigan, Minnesota, etc.)

  38. MooTheKowon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:22 pm 38

    Man… I’ve had to turn this off. Hopefully they don’t play this bad again the rest of the year…

  39. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:24 pm 39

    Oh, I know, Jason. The problem is that the added randomness of a Hightower game helps the underdog, which is rarely us. He’s an equal-opportunity screw-up, but that doesn’t mean his screw-ups affect each team equally.

  40. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:25 pm 40

    Hey, a three-ball! We could have used a couple of those fifteen minutes ago.

  41. Jasonon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:25 pm 41

    Good point, SpartanDan.

  42. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:29 pm 42

    Lucious trying to make a game of this suddenly.

  43. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 2:32 pm 43

    Wow… reading this box score… I am excited to see Lucious getting involved. He seems like a guy that excels when his back is against the wall.

  44. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:39 pm 44

    Too bad we’re choking at the free throw line late. We could have made a game of this if we hadn’t missed three of the last four.

  45. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 2:49 pm 45

    Honestly, I’m more worried about our defensive performance today than the offense. We’re not going to miss this many open looks very often, but Ohio State’s had way too many open shots.

  46. TMadison25on 14 Mar 2009 at 2:50 pm 46

    I’m afraid what will happen if we play a team with multiple outside scoring threats.

  47. rook34on 14 Mar 2009 at 2:58 pm 47

    Well, not a good game. We did outrebound them. We did only turn the ball over 10 times. But at some point, you have to make shots. Outside shooting has been our weakness all year.

  48. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 3:04 pm 48

    I’m nervous but not that worried about it, TMad. We’ve been able to survive just fine when we have a bad day on offense or defense; our losses have been happening when we have a rotten day at both ends. Facing a good outside shooting team takes away some of the margin for error, but if we’re able to hit at least some of our open looks I think we can handle that.

  49. Seeron 14 Mar 2009 at 3:07 pm 49

    Not much positive, but I’m real glad Izzo has the brains to figure out that if you’re going to foul to get the ball back, you should start early, not just in the last 2 minutes.

    Bleh, what a crappy game.

  50. Chrison 14 Mar 2009 at 3:08 pm 50

    I’m not too upset with the loss unless they ship us out west because of it. Hopefully we can get a #2 seed in the midwest with a possible elite eight match up against Pitt. I don’t think we would match up well against UNC or UCONN. If we go against anyone with a good zone defense, we could lose in the first or second round.

  51. Seeron 14 Mar 2009 at 3:27 pm 51

    I should clarify my last post: I’ve never doubted Izzo’s brain power, I meant that in almost every game I’ve watched over the last two weeks that the team that’s down has started fouling way too late. Way I see it, when you foul you’re hoping that the other team misses at least one and that you can make baskets the other end to basically chip at the lead a point per possession. Doing that in the last two minutes is not enough time. I’m very appreciative that Izzo started the fouls with about 6 minutes to go.

  52. Sparty Basketballon 14 Mar 2009 at 6:40 pm 52

    I was at the game today so I must be bad luck. 3-21 from the 3-pt line isn’t going to win any games. Too many attempts and not enough conversions.

  53. SpartanDanon 14 Mar 2009 at 7:26 pm 53

    Chris: I wouldn’t be surprised if UNC gets the Midwest, and Pitt goes to Boston. Indy’s the closest site for all three of the sure #1 seeds (those two and Louisville), so it wouldn’t surprise me to see UNC there, Pitt in Boston, Louisville in Memphis. I’d actually be okay with getting shipped out west, as that region is likely to be the weakest (if we get the #1 there, which is unlikely but not completely impossible since every other candidate has an equally flawed resume, the rest of the region could be Oklahoma, Gonzaga, UCLA/Washington; if we’re #2, we would be facing the weakest #1).

    UConn doesn’t worry me as much as UNC. They don’t force turnovers at all (bottom 10 nationally), and with Dyson out for their last six they’ve gone 3-3 (with the wins over James-less Marquette, Notre Dame, and USF).