" title="Spartans Weblog">Spartans Weblog

I’ve decided not to post any commentary of a forward-looking nature until we get over to the new site. For now, let’s revel in the season that has been.
One of the things that made this season so special was the number of guys who stepped up at various times during the season to get [...]

North Carolina obliterates Michigan State 89-72 in a 76-possession game.  StatSheet box score.
This four-factor graph does not tell the story:
NCAA Basketball Stats

The turnover differential obviously shows up loud and clear, but the other bars understate the degree to which the Tar Heels outplayed us.  Statistically speaking, this game was played in two distinct phases:

The first [...]

MSU dismantles Louisville 64-52 in a 56-possession game to advance to the Final Four.  StatSheet box score.
After a performance as thoroughly impressive as this one, it’s hard to know where to start.  So let’s start with what each of the eight guys who played double-digit minutes today contributed:

Goran Suton: 19 points on 3-5 three-point shooting, [...]

The Spartans claw their way past the Jayhawks 67-62 in a 66-possession game.  StatSheet box score.
It’s 1:49 in the a.m. as I begin this game recap.  So what I write below may or may not be coherent.
Further, from my seat in section 242 of Lucas Oil Stadium, this game much more as an emotional experience [...]

The Spartans bounce the Colonials 77-62 in a 65-possession game.  StatSheet box score.
The Kenpom prediction was a scoreline of 73-60, so the game result was in line with statistical expectations.  Robert Morris kept things close early by knocking down some 3-pointers, but eventually MSU’s size and athleticism were too much for the Colonials to handle.  [...]

Sunday is Senior Day.  Here’s your discussion question: What the first word that pops into your head when you hear the name of each of four seniors?
My (alliterative) answers are below.
Goran Suton
Improvement.
Suton’s key tempo-free numbers for the four years he was an active player:

Stat
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09

OffRtg
95.0
98.2
113.8
119.2

eFG%
47.0
50.9
55.4
56.6

TO%
25.2
26.1
20.4
19.6

OffReb%
10.0
11.6
13.6
13.8

DefReb%
13.4
19.7
22.3
21.0

While most four-year players show improved efficiency over their careers, you’re not [...]

Goran Suton is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated:

Sadly, Mrs. SW says I can’t frame a copy of the magazine and put it up over the fireplace.
P.S. Presumably, this can’t jinx us, as the top eight teams in the country all have a player on the cover.  Either that or you should pick [...]