Happy (or as happy as can be humanly possible) Monday y'all. The first part of the East Lansing Visitors' guide will be up tonight, so here's some links in the meantime to tide you over. As always, we have another entry in the Favorite Spartan Athlete bracket, as Al Anagonye faces Brett Swenson.
Defense Wins Second Preseason Jersey Scrimmage, 78-44 - MICHIGAN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE The most notable point in this scrimmage? The first team defense didn't allow a touchdown. That's pretty darn solid. Another way to look at this scrimmage is that the offensive line may be lacking, but I don't think that's the case looking at the statistics. The three top rushers (NIck Hill, Le'Veon Bell, and Larry Caper) combined to average just over four yards a carry. Mark Dantonio criticized the energy and effort in the last scrimmage, and sounded more pleased about the team's stamina this time:
"Our intensity level was very good throughout the scrimmage. We're really excited about the way the defense played this afternoon. The first-team defense looked very sharp, pressuring the quarterback, running to the football and tackling in space very, very well."
USA Basketball: USA Men Race Past Romania 94-73 First off, the U.S. team lost to Lithuania in the quarterfinals, meaning no medal at all. The silver lining is that Draymond Green had a great day in the first consolation game, leading the team in points (16) and assists (4) and adding four rebounds to boot. The money quote from the article:
"We could have either went one of two ways, we could have come out like we weren't the United States and we didn't have pride in our country and just played like trash, or we could come out and play with a lot of energy," Draymond Green said. "We wanted to bounce back, and no matter what, we are still playing for something, and that's the way we came out, with intensity.
Stronger Le'Veon Bell ready to shoulder some of Michigan State's rushing load | MLive.com
Bill Broderick: Caper gives MSU quality depth | The Enquirer | battlecreekenquirer.com
Your running back related fluff of the day.
MSU football commentary: Chemistry is Spartans' favorite subject | Lansing State Journal | lansingstatejournal.com
Come for the Rexrode, stay for the quote from fullback Todd Anderson about why he thinks the chemistry changed so quickly since the Rather Hall rumble in 2009:
"I think the guys who are playing have the most influence on the team. Most people would assume that," Anderson said. "So when those new guys the coaches recruited, when they got into leadership roles, everything changed. The chemistry wasn't bad (before). I think it was good, but now you can see how good it is compared to that. I don't know how much better it could be."