Yesterday's thrilling win against Kansas, a 67-64 victory, gave a glimpse into the grit, passion, and sheer talent of the Michigan State Spartans basketball team. How did the Spartans go from a disappointing 62-66 loss on Friday against unranked UConn to a win against talented, #7 ranked Kansas? Its a fair question. It certainly wasn't due to the Spartans solving their turnover problems-they committed two more errors against Kansas than against UConn. Did Keith Appling light up the basket more than the game before? Nope. He had 19 points last night versus 17 points on Friday. Appling does deserve special attention though after playing a solid game without his back up point guard, Trice, to give him needed rest. Appling played with great energy, passion, and smarts.
And as Appling was, so was the rest of the team. The team displayed considerable poise, confidence, and toughness for most of two full halves while these traits only showed up in the second against UConn. Gary Harris looked more like a seasoned sophomore than a frightened first year and simple things like making layups and freethrows were more the norm than the exception.
But what really helped on Tuesday night was, to state the obvious, that the Spartans did not allow themselves to get in the hole 16 points before they woke up and decided to play. The largest deficit against Kansas was seven points. Rather than letting offense happen, they created offense. Plays were made, rebounds grabbed, and loose balls chased after. I'm not calling it a pretty game. Spartans still committed 17 turnovers and our big men could score more, but for the second game of the season, I like what I see. And if Izzo matures this team they way he matures every team under his tutelage, these Spartans will be more than a force to be reckoned with come March.
What about the absence of Trice? How did that affect the game? Do you think the guys were playing for him? Concussions are pretty hardcore.
ReplyDeleteInteresting question. I'm not sure his absence was a motivating factor in the sense of "Lets win this one for Trice!" but more so "Lets prove we can make this happen one man down." If this had happened during a big conference game or in the tournament, they probably would have played for him but its too early on in the season and Trice is supposed to come back and play.
DeleteI agree! Especially with the part of rather than letting offense happen, they created offense. Appling figured out how to finish aggressively in the paint and stuck to what worked. They also showed more of their spartan toughness on defense. And, mistakes from the first half were fixed. That's big! I heard they went from 11 turnovers in the first half to 4 in the second. I'd like less turnovers but I also remember that being an issue last year as well.
ReplyDeleteIzzo too described it as an ugly win....but when doesn't he?:)
I think Trice's absence made a difference in that Applying was really pushed to play more minutes with more skill and energy than typical. And step up he did! But I'd rather have Tricey back. Says he's not even able to go to classes and traveling is difficult.
When is Tricey supposed to be back?
ReplyDeleteBut now I can only :( because KU lost...getting over it... ;)
ReplyDeleteTrice might be out yet for the next game.
ReplyDeleteI cheer for KU...as long as they don't play against us!!