One more thing on matchups. As seen in the tipoff, Delvon Roe said he's starting on Veasley, with Morgan checking Hayward right away. Foul trouble is always the big thing with Morgan, but if he can avoid it, I think tonight is the night people realize just how valuable he is as a defender.
Rexrode with the first actual news of the day. He also picks MSU to win -- which may or may not be a good thing, as he hasn't been shy about picking against MSU during this tournament. [HT: intrpdtrvlr .]
Also, OMG FINAL FOUR TODAY! How's everyone feeling?
almost 2 years ago
LVS
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I’ve been thinking that because Butler isn’t terribly big inside this may be a match-up where the teams look similar. I’m sure there will be some (long) stretches where no one in the game is taller than 6’8". However, Morgan really makes it a wildcard. I can’t imagine we’re going to have Roe on Veasley for a lot of the game. It’ll look more symmetrical when Morgan and Green take over in the post. Izzo would probably confess to having to figure on the assignments on the fly a lot during this one.
In other personal news, my cable has been out all day. If it’s not fixed soon, I may be Buffalo Wild Winging it.
More news-type substance
from Rexrode: Chris Allen says that he’s in much better shape than he was last weekend (should be, after he was held out of practice for most of the week), and Tom Herzog is “undecided” as to whether he’s coming back next year (which makes me think it’s more likely that he’s not coming back).
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
Also, Digger is absolutely singing our praises today.
Makes me very worried.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
Bobby Knight must have
taken digger to the woodshed because suddenly he is giving Big 10 teams credit. Im worried that he may have early Alzheimer’s.
by Delaware Boiler on Apr 3, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Spartans in Minneapolis?
Anyone know of any Sportsbars in Minneapolis with a MSU affiliation? I would love to watch the game with some fans this time.
Bilas, Hubert, Digger pick us.
Bilas’s prediction actually makes me feel a little better.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
Izzo has 2 point guards for a reason
AFter the Marcus Taylor, Brandon Cotton fiasco, it really seems like TI made a concerted
effort to always have 2 point guards. It seems to have worked better for a point guard to
play out of position as a shooting guard than Chris Allen/Alan Anderson playing out of
position as a point guard.
Anderson was really incredible in that he was a point guard on offense and mostly a
4 on defense. There is some precedent there for the “handful of plays where Draymond
Green is a point forward”!
So i think Luscious steps up and plays a decent game. We don’t need him to shoot 40% from 3 or be phenomenal, we just need him to be steady. His ability to force steals
against Norel is interesting however hopefully Luscious’ first concern is just doing his job and making his teammates better.
Go GREEN, Go WHITE! :)
Cautiously optimistic
It will be interesting to see if we try to push the pace at all. I know we can play with Butler in the half-court, but their loses have all been when they have been forced to play a bit faster than usual, and anytime we can attack before they get their defense set, the better off we may be. Like others have said, I think fouls may play a big part in this game. If Morgan or Lucious get a couple of quick ones, I think we’re in a LOT of trouble (Kebler will not be able to initiate our offense against this defense). Korie may get a bit loose with the ball sometimes, but the kid is fearless, and he’s hit a lot of big shots in big games over the last two years. Also, I agree about the experience with Big Ten defense. I believe this will be at least our ninth game against an elite or near elite defense this year (Purdue, UNI, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Texas are all in the top 25 defenses on kenpom).
Green, Roe, Morgan and Summers have to be relentless today. If we’re not running, I hope we are pounding it inside and then attacking the glass. On many levels, this one will not be for the faint of heart.
by RobbingGormanThomas on Apr 3, 2010 1:15 PM CDT reply actions
Interesting (but not very reassuring) numbers
Opponent-Adjusted Four Factors http://audacityofhoops.blogspot.com/2010/04/opponent-adjusted-four-factors.html
If we lose the TO battle, we have to win the rebounding battle—or hope for an abysmal Bulldog shooting night.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Apr 3, 2010 1:30 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Seeing lots of MSU fans down there?
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
by LVS on Apr 3, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, surprised how many I’m seeing around town. (We’re staying on outskirts.) Always hard to tell until you see the crowd inside the stadium, though.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Apr 3, 2010 1:39 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Had to go to Indy
today and saw tons of Spartan flags flying on the interstate heading into town and a bunch more downtown. Also saw a lot of West Virginians.
One more thought on article
Makes me worry more about foul trouble. Please, Raymar, no fouls in first 5 minutes.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Apr 3, 2010 1:41 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Avoiding fouls is key
I keep beating this drum, but Butler’s offense, IMHO, is dangerously dependent on foul shots. If we keep them off the line we not only neutralize 25% of their offense but avoid aggravating the problems caused by going in with an already depleted lineup.
Agree 100%
I feel like foul trouble for Raymar may be the biggest issue in the game.
If he stays in, I think the Lucious, Allen, Summers, Ray, Green line-up may be very effective because it’s not going to get out-sized by Butler. Many of its virtues without its most common drawback.
Yes.
Butler’s FT rate is insane (47.3), and they hit them, too (73.9%). Can’t let them play that game.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
by LVS on Apr 3, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
In our favor
One reason I’m hopeful is that on any given night Morgan, Green, Summers, Allen, or Lucious can come up big. If two of those guys play really well tonight, I like our chances.
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