Postgame Thread, Michigan State 80, Indiana 65 -- THAT WAS SOMETHING
by Pete Rossman on Dec 28, 2011 8:47 PM CST
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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As the title says, that was something. The Dance of Joy doesn't quite feel right for this, as this was neither a critical win nor one over a rival, but MAN WAS THAT SOME EXCITEMENT AM I RIGHT (shoots off 100 Saturn Missile Batteries).
They say the greatest glory does not come in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. If that's true MSU achieved it tonight, as they were up by 18 (or 17?) in the first half, then fell behind by 9 in the second half, then countered with a 20-0ish run in the second half which was finished by Adreian Payne showing glimpses of the potential NBA player that he's built to be.
My favorite moment will be Derrick Nix getting a steal by running the fast break effectively by passing to Draymond. Draymond ran the give and go effectively by passing it back, but Nix missed the layup; luckily Keith Appling (25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds) was there to cover. Speaking of Appling -- clutch in the second half with drives, steals and free throws all.
This is the postgame thread. A real recap will be up tomorrow, but for now WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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I shall take this win
segments of good defense, good creativity on the break, solid play from those who we expect solid play from, good coaching, great free throw shooting, positivity early in the big ten season…….!
That was a helluva game!
Looked like we were gonna run away with it early, then IU started hitting some really tough shots and we went cold as ice.
I thought the D looked excellent for about 90% of the game, and without that 8 minute cold shooting streak we had at end of the first/beginning of the 2nd half, we win this one by 25.
Overall, I’m glad the team was challenged tonight, and I was very happy with the way they fought through the adversity.
Everyone contributed big time, but Appling and Payne really stood out as being MEN out there tonight, particularly in the 2nd half.
https://twitter.com/#!/SpartanKC
Good Karma
I don’t want to take too much credit for the way things turned out, but I did wear my State Basketball shirt underneath my layers of clothing when I went to see the Dalai Lama give a teaching last week in Dharamsala, India. I figured it couldn’t hurt. Hopefully there is way more to come like this.
Had to catch the radio feed as the internet was too slow where I am in India, but I’m rejoicing.
What a game.
Glad that Garry Harris was sitting right there in the crowd. He made a good choice.
Wish that had been an ESPN game
So I could go to ESPN3 and watch it again.
Why didn’t I DVR it? Superstitious I suppose.
It might be on btn2go.com
I’d check there. The times I’ve used it, the video quality and experience has been great.
by Pete Rossman on Dec 28, 2011 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
They might replay it later in the week
it was a pretty good one afterall. Just check your listings and DVR it.
It's up there
but WOW! doesn’t carry btn2go. I’m so disappointed, but it’s for the best. Gotta work early, a replay would warrant a couple more beers!
Big huge kudos to Payne and Nix!
That lob that Payne stole was something he doesn’t even see last year, his court awareness has improved greatly…and I posted on an earlier game thread about my doubt that he was able to make that mental jump, I think and hope I stand corrected. He was fantastic against Zeller.
And on that note, I think we can all agree that the progress made by Nix/Payne has been significant. I haven’t heard the complaints about Dwayne Stephens and our lack of ability to develop big men lately.
Love the character of this team…and still much room for improvement! I live in KY and while I don’t think it’s all that valid, I will bring up that IU beat KY and we beat IU, quite handily at that. Of course home court and all that jazz but at least I can get a rise out of these Caliparists. And yes the Izzone looked great tonight!
Oh, and I forgot
I was one of the early calls for Trice to take over at point for Appling. I still think Trice is a very good point guard and there are times when it makes sense for him at 1 and Appling at 2 but Appling has made great strides playing point and that seemed clear tonight. He’s a score first PG for sure but he’s been making some great passes and no charges tonight and is just lethal in the open court. I hate to say it but he reminds me a bit of John Wall in that respect.
by Drew Perkins on Dec 28, 2011 9:47 PM CST up reply actions
Spartan teams are born to in
they’re fighting with a vim.
88, 32, 7, 21, 17, 31
So pissed off
I MISSED IT I was really looking forward to this game. Unfortunately I just got home from an 8 hour drive from Lexington KY. Fun. Hopefully it’ll replay on Big Ten sometime…
best part
The best thing about this win is that we could have played better. That stretch in the second half when we could not hit a shot nor rebound or defend was brutal and we still came out with a 15 point W. 12 in a row, Go Green.
Welcome to the Big Ten, Cody Zeller.
The kid will get better, but man, we d’ed him up sumpin’ fierce tonight. Post play looks like a strength of this team, and there’s still so much room for improvement…I didn’t think we had a prayer against OSU, but I think we match up with ’em as well as anyone in the conference. Great start, boys. Go Green!
could be wrong...
but I don’t remember a single travel being called on MSU. It’s nice to see the points they put up when they don’t turn the ball over as much. I suppose it helps that wood, appling, trice, green and dawson all seem comfortable with the ball. Last year was a different story.
by The Baron Von Tito on Dec 29, 2011 2:10 AM CST reply actions
Only 9 turnovers
In a highly contested, well defended, conference game. For as much as we harp on MSU teams for ridiculously high turnover rates, let’s pause and give credit for a fantastic performance in taking care of the ball. Aside from a couple badly telegraphed passes that were picked off, we handled their pressuring man D extremely well.
"It was worth it. Every needle, every dose of medicine that I've taken. That's why you play the game. A chance to be on a Final Four team, a chance to win championships." Delvon Roe
by Ducking Delvon on Dec 29, 2011 8:00 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, this team has taken on Spartan characteristics that we've all missed recently
Turnovers down, shooting up, D and rebounding up. And probably most important, their character and cohesiveness is way up with a will to win!
by Drew Perkins on Dec 29, 2011 8:25 AM CST up reply actions
I didn't see anybody shooting up last night...
…but seriously. It was great to see us win while DayDay had only and average night. It now scares me less to lose him next year.
by Chi-Burb Spartan on Dec 29, 2011 9:33 AM CST up reply actions
What a crazy games of runs
Paynes defensive performance on Zeller really stood out to me. He did an exceptional job not letting Zeller receive the ball. he was also huge offensively during our last run of the game. Big props are also due to Nix, Appling, wood, Green and Dawson.
As others have said, I really enjoy watching this team.
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