Game Thread -- The Michigan State Spartans vs. The Minnesota Golden Gophers
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 6:56 PM CST
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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PrintMinnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan St. Spartans, Jan 25, 2012 7:30 PM CST
THE JACK BRESLIN STUDENT EVENTS CENTER -- EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012, 8:30 PM EST
TV: BTN
ONLINE RADIO FEED: Spartan Sports Network
I don't know if you've heard, but Izzo could get his 400th career win in this game. I'm a bit wary how the media has covered this almost as a certainty, as Minnesota has been much better than most have thought they would be after losing Trevor Mbakwe for the season, going 3-4 in the Big Ten so far. Some credit goes to Rodney Williams discovering accuracy (62.1% from two, 35.0% from three), some goes to freshman wing Joe Coleman coming into his own the last three games, averaging 15.7 points per, and some goes to Ralph Sampson for starting to realize that he, a 6-11 post player, probably shouldn't roam around the perimeter.
This is the game thread. The drill is this: No slurs, no links to illegal game streams, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.
GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT MINNESOTA.
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Hooray, gamethread
And hooray beer!
Here’s to our guys doing Minnesota like how tOSU is doing Penn State right now.
No TV and No beer make Homer Something Something...
Yes.. a 4th home big ten blowout would be quite stellar.
No BTN my hotel in Denver
No surprise either. Looks like I’ll be listening on the Spartan Sports Radio app and relying on you guys for impressions. I agree that this game is being treated like a foregone conclusion in the media, but I see us pulling it out. Probably not a Purdue domination though.
by StickyGreen on Jan 25, 2012 7:12 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Ouch.
BTN2GO is a life saver in these situations. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you abreast of the situation.
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 7:28 PM CST up reply actions
same for me
But in new York (not NYC)
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 7:56 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
While we're gearing up for the game...
great opportunity to take a minute to give a vote to Draymond Green for the Senior CLASS Award:
http://www.seniorclassaward.com/athletes/draymond_green/
It would be sweet to see a Spartan sweep of this award this year from two very deserving young men.
With almost a week layoff ahead
Let’s Make This One Count!!!
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 7:20 PM CST reply actions
Nice to join you all for another MSUBBALL match
Man I’ve been looking forward to this game throughout a long day. Nice to join you all indeed.
Off Topic - BTN.com question
If I get a one month subscription to their website only, I can stream all the games that are on TV right?
When I was on their site earlier it didn’t list MSU as having any live events. I don’t want to pay if all I get access to is previously played games.
If you subscribe to the BTN
You can actually access the game live by going to BTN2GO.com. All I needed to know was the serial number of my receiver, it was actually pretty easy.
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 7:35 PM CST up reply actions
Shoot
As I suspected, can’t get it :(. I hate Comcast. (not an available provider)
It looks like trying to watch via online stream through BTN is out. No live games listed.
Wait so if I already get BTN through Charter
Then I could have BTN2GO on my comp?
Possibly
I have DISH Network where I live, and I thought the sign-up was easy. Don’t know if it’ll work with Charter.
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 8:02 PM CST up reply actions
Gus Johnson in the house
Get ready for craziness
watch your wallets
Minnesota has 4 guys ranked in the top 20 in steal percentage.
They also have 5 guys ranked in the top 20 in turnover percentage so they’ll give and take away.
Rodney Williams is 19th in minutes percentage, I wonder if Dawson might play more tonight to match up with him.
"Long range from the baseline, Swish!"
Looking for continued Dawson Improvement
Kid will be special, hoping last game was his breakout game.
So... does that count a block?
Definitely didn’t see that coming.
Ed Hightower
He hasn’t called anything disgusting yet, but he’s the same as Ted Valentine, they need to influence the game. He’s a disgrace to all officials and the Big 10 for continuing to employ him.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 7:45 PM CST reply actions
I don't know that it means an upset
I think it just means that chances are you are about to see a tight, exciting game. Or maybe it just seems that way because Gus makes boring plays exciting, and exciting plays into the greatest plays of the year.
And if an actual rediculous play happens, there’s the danger his head is going to explode.
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 7:50 PM CST up reply actions
wow when nix got on that fastbreak i felt the ground shake
"Be an analyst Skip dont be a douchebag"
-Terrel Suggs
Rodney Williams
has turned himself into a real good player
i see your freescore and raise you the jg wentworth commercials
"Be an analyst Skip dont be a douchebag"
-Terrel Suggs
Don't call me if your cable "goes out"
bc per DirectTV ads, it will lead to a series of semi-comical misfortunes that ultimately end in my demise
Feels like we are playing well
I’d like to see us get some separation.
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
I hate games where
we have to rely on perimeter shooting. Too inconsistant.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 7:57 PM CST reply actions
This is still throwing
other people off too, right? The broken/turned off advertisement board. That all-black look makes the court look really strange.
Agreed
and just great to see him healthy
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
Strange lineup
Kearney running the point? Is something wrong with Trice or has Kearney just passed him
someone mentioned earlier
both byrd and kearny before trice. Injury? Missed team meeting?
We are getting a lot of shots close to the bucket
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Looking at their pregame comments
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Minnesota resort to thuggery if they get down. Lots of whining about how physical MSU is.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:03 PM CST reply actions
well
Tubby did lose a recruit to Izzo, Trice
Mbakwe has an ACL injury
hmmm
"Long range from the baseline, Swish!"
Watch out.
PurdueMatt will say we bought him.
Spartan Sports Radio App
Is actually really legit. Will Tieman is such a homer that it gets me more excited listenting to it! Plus it reminds me of being a little kid and listenting to the Tigers play on AM with Ernie.
+1000000
to anything that reminds me of Ernie.
Off topic obviously, but how about the Tigers yesterday!
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
the app
Is so sweet. I used it to listen to football games when my boys had soccer games this fall.
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 8:09 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
was it awkward
when you cheered at the wrong times? :)
Hopefully
It’s just a little wear n’ tear and all that he needs is a few days of R&R
Draymond feeling comfortable with the short jumper
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
we look pretty good right now
Minnesota is making 3’s to keep them in it, but I like our energy
Sampson III
looks like sad panda already. Nix dominating him
Green's the dancing bear
Nix is the dancing Rhino
by StickyGreen on Jan 25, 2012 8:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
17-7 on the boards right now
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
With no Mbakwe Sampson is their only post presence, and Nix can move him around like a twig.
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Nix has been freaking coming alive last several games
Starting to show some of the skills that won him Mr. Basketball
Hella strong move Green
We are pushing them around inside, just like against Purdue, and even to a degree M & NW.
I’m LOVING this newfound aggression inside. And this is with a team that lost this season’s apparent starting & backup centers!!
I was wondering where Dersh was
Good to see you, dude.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Izzo wins
probably not going to catch Bob Knight, unless he coaches way longer than I would expect him to. But if he averages 25 wins per year (probably conservative really) he could definitely catch Keady for 2nd most in B1G history
I was thinking about that today
If you look how quickly Izzo has aged in the last 10 years, I’m not sure he could go another 10 without looking like Bo Ryan (krypt keeper). Still, Izzo has been racking them up in quick succession and if the program truly turns the corner (becoming a Kansas/UNC/Duke) then I could see him coaching into his late 50s.
Think he turns 57 next week
Personally I think I would put the over/under at 5 years for him. Not sure which side I would take either.
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah I love me some Izzo
But realistically, he can only do this so much longer. Really, really hope we can get another banner by then
Big men looking great today
Also, FYI OK State up 6 on Mizzou with a minute left on ESPN2.
I love it when were assertive
such a change from last year.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:17 PM CST reply actions
Appling
can’t afford foul trouble with Trice out.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:18 PM CST reply actions
Could be a huge confidence boost for Kearney though.
Think of how fast we would be in the tourney with 3 viable PGs.
Need to keep the margin wide before halftime
Hit a little lull
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Kearney just looks confident on the floor
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
I was looking forward to seeing how he handled
some emergency PG minutes tonight. Everyone draws comparisons to Steve Smith. Love those tall PGs that can see over the D.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
green
Is close to a double double in the 1st half.
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 8:20 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Nice skip pass
especially when we hit the jumper.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:20 PM CST reply actions
Dagger.
(at least for the 1st half)
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:23 PM CST reply actions
Oh Drayyyymond!!!
10 pt lead, I like it. I believe we get the ball to start the second half, let’s not let this get back to single digits again.
Coach Fife Dog is a future comedian
“we’re trying to win 72-0”
"Long range from the baseline, Swish!"
my hotel tonight
Doesn’t have BTN. So USMNT on mute on the TV. Spartan Radio app to listen to the game. TheOnlyColors on my phone and Twitter is getting me thru this game.
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 8:32 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
That's dedication
My hat off to you.
No local bars with BTN, though? If nothing else, that’s a great excuse to go drinking on a weeknight
sort of out in the sticks
In new york state. I didn’t feel like driving around hoping to find a place with BTN.
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 8:41 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
That's me
I’m multitasking some work in the concierge lounge. Can’t get anything done if I go to a bar.
got a phone call and missed the score at the half. looks to be good no?
can someone enlighten?
Big three by Day Day
right at the buzzer.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:32 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
MSU is fully aware of the advantage in the post and is attacking it with Nix/Green/Payne. Only reason why the lead is only 10 (37-27) is that Minnesota is making a higher percentage of their threes (44.4%) than twos (35.7%).
by Pete Rossman on Jan 25, 2012 8:33 PM CST up reply actions
MD attacking the basket against Duke
Exposing a weakness?
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:30 PM CST reply actions
Wow
Is it just me or is the ACC very pedestrian this year. Good to see.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
Love seeing Green around the basket so much
He’s a loose ball magnet.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:41 PM CST reply actions
If Green can consistently hit that shot
We are that much tougher to beat.
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Wood not starting
I’m betting Coach Izzo got tired of him passing up shots
"Long range from the baseline, Swish!"
The game will stay close
unless Appling gets hot.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:43 PM CST reply actions
Well Green is in beast mode
And Paynix has 11 pts so far, that type of production should be enough for a W.
Butt another blowout would be nice
Is that 4 for Dawson?
He has been blocking stuff left and right
It's a good call following the rules
I still think the charging calls have been out of control this year. Too subjective. I hate leaving the zebras that much power. Too many of them suck too bad to get it right.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:48 PM CST up reply actions
Probably all by that idiot Hightower.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
Ed Hightower
Once again, forgetting the game isn’t about him.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:49 PM CST reply actions
Ok
Thornton has been playing well BUt we should not be putting him in the position of handling the ball out there by himself.
Questionable call, but still not a spot we want AT in
Finally put Wood in!
badum chsssh! (rimshot)
Didn’t someone just say something about the charging calls being at the mercy of terrible officials?
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:54 PM CST reply actions
That is such a flop
And the Ref’s fricking reward it.
So Appling appears to be wearing not only a t-shirt
but a wrap on his right arm. What do we know about this?
that guy must be taking notes from Wisconsin's punter
by chuggingspartan on Jan 25, 2012 8:54 PM CST reply actions
And thus starts the whistles?
Need ot keep it close big ten refs?
AMEN
I’ve been saying this all along. The problem with the league having it’s own network. Blowouts get bad ratings.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
Uh, pardon me officials
MSU is the home team in this game. These calls are supposed to be going in our favor.
The hightower effect
cares little about whether you are home or away.
I think that Izzo
Must really know how to get under Hightower and Valentines skin. No love loss. It’s great when we can still win even though the refs are our biggest competition
Ed Hightower's house when he gets back after the game
Ed: “Hi, honey, I’m back from the game, did you watch it?”
Mrs. Hightower: “I sre did, Ed, you did a great job of calling attention to yourself over & over!!”
You, once again, hit the nail on the head.
Him still being employed begs all kinds of conspiracy theories.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
Wood might be seeing some pine
with the way he’s shooting
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Appling is just as bad tonight..
Tonight both should work on their passing.
yea other guys are finishing
They gotta play though with Trice out. Kearney looks pretty good, but he hasn’t been asked to run much point
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 8:59 PM CST up reply actions
I hate this..
refs have COMPLETELY changed how they’re calling the game
there was too much basketball being played
and not nearly enough officiating for their taste
I'd rather he have a bad night
When we’re not on the road.
Zone?
Couldn’t tell if this was zone or we are just switching everything so much that it looks like it
Think it was switching
There’s some pretty cool coaching videos by Izzo on YouTube where he shows how he shuffles the D. Looks like they may be from the mid 90s though based on the production value.
but what do I know
I’m just listenting on the radio! haha
yeah this is starting to get ugly
Already in the bonus, plus multiple offensive fouls. Really sucking the life out of this (and me)
Maybe, maybe not..
consistency is the problem — they didn’t call any of these fouls in the first 30 minutes.
the offensive foul on appling was legit
I thought Payne was trying to play normal defense but was forced to overcome an elbow under his chin. I admit my bias though
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
wow. Sampson had his elbow right under Payne's chin
that entire possession
7 straight fouls on MSU after 4 straight on Minny
by spartanbballfan on Jan 25, 2012 9:03 PM CST reply actions
OK, refs just don't like MSU do they
Spartans never get this many calls on the road
"Long range from the baseline, Swish!"
we need to start running and pick up the pace
with more possessions, they won’t be able to stay with us
Hard to do
with Appling out.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
Izzo is ready to rip someone's head off
someone in stripes
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Please Gus Johnson
make it less obvious what you are rooting for.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:03 PM CST reply actions
what's he rooting for?
God he better not pull a northwestern here.
What do you want to bet
that if Minnesota doesn’t get a basket here, there will be another BS foul.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:04 PM CST reply actions
I'm willing to bet you...
all the lint in my pocket.
we're still up 7
no need to panic—need to lock down the D without fouling and push the pace
will be 12 pt lead again
Time for Appling to hit some baskets or draw some fouls
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
No lead is safe
when Ed Hightower is in the building.
So obvious
but still surprised they called it.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:07 PM CST up reply actions
did the Izzone say anything about Mbakwe?
god forbid the media has nothing to talk about.
Big play by Dawson right there
could have really swung momentum if they had gone down and gotten a bucket
we are ice cold
from the line. this half has been ugly.
Tubby not getting any calls?
What game is he watching?
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:10 PM CST reply actions
it's his job to work the ref's too
But we know the truth!
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with Tubby
You expect significantly more fouls when Hightower is officiating. By normal Hightower standards he is getting robbed!
It's just a different undershirt
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
crap
what happened? They didn’t mention it on the radio and I think I’m behind.
Appling's body must have been inhabited by Robbie Hummel
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Byrd back in
Where is Gauna? I asked Hondo & Charbenou over the Twitter, but haven’t heard back. Darnit Joe Rexrode & your vacation, where are you when we need you?!?!
Yup, and too bad bc I'd love to know where Gauna is
Joe is great about getting back to you via twitter in-game, often within 1-2 minutes
Was wondering the same thing. His minutes are so erratic. He’s so much better than Sherman was, yet he seems to never play.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:17 PM CST up reply actions
That foul call makes no sense
other than to keep MN in the game. Gotta love Ed Higtower. He does this everytime.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:14 PM CST reply actions
Pretty sure
That Charlie Bell screwed his wife. Not confirmed, but not unconfirmed either.
the one he had in the first half
was pretty. really hoping that he gets some more looks
He should be good from the line
It’s required if you’re a white guy from Indiana
After the game, why not check out www.zazzle.com/donnierocky*
Way to reward Minnesota for a bad pass
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:20 PM CST reply actions
Dawson
I think this has been his best game. I say this as he comes out of the game.
He had a lot of explosive dunks and plays against Purdue, but a lot of them came off plays his teammates made.
Tonight he has been active on D, and demanding the ball in the post a little bit. Very good effort by him
The officials have taken over this game
Once again, why do they need to keep it close. Just let them play. When will they realize it’s not about them.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:23 PM CST reply actions
dude's got some good dunks
And he’s been stepping it up this year in the absence of Mbakwe. He may be a role player on some teams, but on a Minny, Iowa, NW, or Neb he’s money.
F- you officials
Can’t do anything about that.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:25 PM CST reply actions
I just keep burying my head in my hands
asking “How is he still employed?”
Only answer- he keeps games close. There is a reason that a guy with that much experience NEVER refs in the NCAA Tournament anymore.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:28 PM CST up reply actions
If we shoot better from the line and Appling shows up at all tonight, This is the same result as the Iowa game.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:29 PM CST reply actions
in their defense
Sixth man is a legit position. Green came off the bench a lot early in his career as a sixth man because he was able to bring in a lot of energy.
Yep
even aside from his contributions scoring the ball, he has been all over the floor tonight
by trivialstuff16 on Jan 25, 2012 9:34 PM CST up reply actions
Wow
Two 5 second calls on us. and one on an out of bounds play by them
I hate rooting for Big10 teams to miss the tourney
but this Minnesota team is the same as Purdue and Northwestern, they would just embarrass the conference.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:36 PM CST reply actions
Rodney Williams is still in Eat Lansing?
I thought he left after the first 3 minutes.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:37 PM CST reply actions
Wow this is cool
Izzo was so cool about this 400 stuff. Obviously means a lot more to him than he ever let on
Come on walkons, shoot!!
Like Dakcih said, if you’re a walkon & in the game, shoot it from your back if you have to!
Gotta love having Gus for a big seminal win like this
I thought we just won another natty for a momen there
400
Congrats Coach. I couldn’t be prouder to have you as the coach of the team I live and die with.
I Bleed Green.
by eriksmithdotcom on Jan 25, 2012 9:39 PM CST reply actions
#izzo400
Awesome. Big win for coach Izzo.
by my2fish on Jan 25, 2012 9:39 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
Emotional interview
And typically, Izzo is giving credit to everyone else
Fitting
For a working man from Iron Mountain that his 400th comes in a game that wasn’t as hyped up as it could have been. Let’s get him 400 more!
by Chitown Spartan on Jan 25, 2012 9:42 PM CST reply actions
400 wins, the Izzo way
Proud to be Green!
by StickyGreen on Jan 25, 2012 9:45 PM CST via mobile reply actions
It's cool to think
That this is the 400th time I have this satisfied feeling since I was in High School. Pretty awesome.
by Chitown Spartan on Jan 25, 2012 9:48 PM CST reply actions
Does the 400 include
B1G & NCAA tourney wins? BC if not (and I suspect it doesn’t), you would have been feeling even more satisfied!!
That's a good question
I would be inclined to say it does include them, but I’ve never thought of it before.
by Chitown Spartan on Jan 25, 2012 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
Upon further consideration,
I think the total would include postseason, those games are included in overall record. The 2000 championship team went 26-7 in regular season, but is said to have won 35 overall (3 in B10 tourney & 6 in March Madness).
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