Fanshots

Consider an opposing team's options once the ball is fed inside [to Sullinger]: 1) Double-down off...

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Consider an opposing team's options once the ball is fed inside [to Sullinger]: 1) Double-down off of Diebler, who (according to Synergy scouting data) scores at a 1.53 points-per-possession clip in unguarded catch-and-shoot situations. 2) Double-down off of Lighty, who scores 1.26 PPP in unguarded catch-and-shoot situations. 3) Run Lauderdale's man across the lane to seal off Sullinger's left shoulder ... leaving Lauderdale, a 1.70 PPP scorer at point-blank range, wide open. 4) Cover Sullinger one-on-one in the post, where he scores 1.12 PPP. Unless your defense can recover in time not to leave Sullinger's teammates open after a double-team, the most efficient choice might just be to single-cover him in the post. When that's your best available option, you're not in great shape...

Luke Winn | COLLEGE BASKETBALL POWER RANKINGS The most current (but pre-OSU/Wisc.) set of Winn's power rankings. He examines the difficulties presented by having to guard Jared Sullinger.

"It's just been a perfect storm," he said. "I don't like to be an excuse-maker, but with the...

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"It's just been a perfect storm," he said. "I don't like to be an excuse-maker, but with the injuries and the guys I've had to throw off the team, it's been difficult. I blame myself for most of it. Jud [Heathcote] always used to say it's hard for your leader to lead if he's struggling with his own game. Kalin's been doing that all season. The injury affected his speed, and that changed his whole game. I don't think I've done a good enough job helping him with that. "Honestly though, I still think we could get our act together before this is over. Kalin's 95 percent now. I have to be able to get them to defend and rebound better. I still think we can be a tough out in March if we can get some confidence back and get there."

John Feinstein - Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo is learning how to lose, whether he likes it or not

Travis Walton is Optimistic TRAVISWALTON5: TALKED TO MY SPARTANS DAWGS,WE BOUT TO TURN THINGS...

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Travis Walton is Optimistic TRAVISWALTON5: TALKED TO MY SPARTANS DAWGS,WE BOUT TO TURN THINGS AROUND..IF U AINT WIT US NOW DONT JUMP ON WEN WE START BALLING..ONE (via Twitter)

http://twitter.com/#!/thesnews_sports

. . .the poor play has nothing to do with Lucious, and unless Tom Izzo has lost his team, the...

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. . .the poor play has nothing to do with Lucious, and unless Tom Izzo has lost his team, the Spartans will surely play better - and probably much better relative to their last three efforts - the rest of the way.

How much is Korie Lucious worth? Ken Pomeroy weighs in on the Spartans. The key clause in that quote, of course, is the one that begins 'unless'.

The question shouldn't be if MSU sucks, it should be if it sucks less than everyone else on the...

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The question shouldn't be if MSU sucks, it should be if it sucks less than everyone else on the bubble. The Spartans aren't playing up to their usual standards, they're not winning the NCAA title, and the Final Four seems like a pipe dream. This was the team ranked No. 2 in the preseason polls? But Michigan State has hardly hit bottom.

A little perspective, please - Michigan State hasn't hit 'rock bottom'. From Mike Miller at NBC. The "spoiled fanbase" meme is implied, rather than stated.

It has been exactly one month since the Michigan State basketball team won a game in regulation...

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It has been exactly one month since the Michigan State basketball team won a game in regulation time.

Despair-enlarging fact of the day

Despite reports, MSU-Iowa game (8:30 ET, BTN) is on & will be played as scheduled. We just finished...

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Despite reports, MSU-Iowa game (8:30 ET, BTN) is on & will be played as scheduled. We just finished shoot around and are prepping for game.

The official word from Kevin Pauga, MSU Director of Basketball Operations

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams confirmed the rumored aircraft carrier game against Michigan...

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North Carolina head coach Roy Williams confirmed the rumored aircraft carrier game against Michigan State next season on his radio show on Monday night. The game will take place on Nov. 11, 2011 – Veterans Day – in San Diego.

Scout.com: UNC-MSU to Play on Aircraft Carrier

Michigan State's Draymond Green earns the first Player of the Week award of his career after...

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Michigan State's Draymond Green earns the first Player of the Week award of his career after averaging 21.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in a pair of overtime victories against Wisconsin and Northwestern. For the week, he shot .423 from the field, including .500 from three-point range, and .895 from the foul line. He also averaged 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest. In a 64-61 win over Wisconsin, Green scored a career-high 26 points, including the first eight in overtime. He went 8-for-17 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from long range, and also went 7-for-9 from the free-throw line. He also tallied a team-best nine boards, four assists and two blocks. In a 71-67 win against Northwestern, Green scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He was a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line, including 6-for-6 in the final 37 seconds of regulation to help force overtime.

Michigan State and Ohio State Receive Men's Basketball Weekly Honors - BIG TEN OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Green said he thinks the Spartans simply "expect to win" when they take the floor. Izzo believes...

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Green said he thinks the Spartans simply "expect to win" when they take the floor. Izzo believes complacency, possibly the product of two straight Final Four runs, is a possible culprit. The question is, how much failure does it take to eliminate complacency?

LSJ article