#4 UofM vs #8 MSU....Are You Serious!!!??

One best parts of writing a blog...you get to quote yourself! So as we approach what may be one of the biggest games of Izzo’s career and most definitely of this season, let’s look back at some wise suggestions made by Ruthie Lehr (Around the Big Ten- December 16, 2012) and review where we’ve come from and where we must go today. 

Ruthie Lehr recommendations to conquer UofM:

-Watch and cover the three

UofM can still light up the three. However, MSU has had plenty of time to plan out who to shut down and how and has been successful in the past with doing just that. A healthy Trice will help us with this. 

-Appling must contain Burke to a season-low

Appling has an amazing ability to stay cool and play smart in big games like tonights. If he stays out of foul trouble he’ll be able to make Burke work for each and every shot.

-We must grab ‘n go. Get the rebound and run the ball

Izzo has not been thrilled with this year’s rebounding. I’m hoping coming off a recent game against Minnesota has taught us how to fight more for the ball. Big goal is to grab ‘n go AND not get injured in the battle! In addition, we’ve had experience changing the tempo of the game to fit our needs. 

-Decrease the turnovers

Turnovers are still a struggle but the team has come far since December! Valentine has played more minutes and is becoming a “sophmore” player, greatly decreasing unforced turnovers. Looking forward to seeing what Dawson, Harris, and Appling can do on defense to force and score off turnovers!

The team is still injured but that hasn’t slowed them down yet. I’d love to see Trice get some minutes in....maybe while wearing a helmet. Fortunately we’ve had some time now to practice with different rotations, which will help the team dynamic on the court. MSU has come incredibly far as a team this year. They are still a grind it out second half team, but a team that is coming off of a win against Purdue during which they showed they can come out for the win from the beginning. And UofM is coming off from an emotional loss. It’s unlikely that is shook their confidence....this is UofM after all....but it should help our freshmen’s confidence. 

I’m sticking to my statement from one of my earlier post, Stepping It Up In The (Fist)Fight For The Big Ten-January 18, 2013. If EVERY player can step it up, big and small, in the paint and behind the 3, we can defeat anyone in our path. Well exciting news! MSU has been doing just that! The win against Purdue was a team effort with BOTH the bigs and the guards contributing. The 3s have been increasing, thanks largely to Appling, Harris and (who’d of thought it, Payne). The team has fulfilled these two bloggers expectations and we’re both anticipating a win tonight!

 #4 UofM vs #8 MSU 

Two teams in the top 10 fighting it out for the bragging rights of the state! Soooo worth the lack of sleep I’m getting tonight! Cheers to all you Spartans, I lift my pregame coffee to you!!!

Go Green!