Duke

[MSUMatt28]

The thing I noticed about Texas Tech is how they were able to bother Michigan into so many turnovers (for them). They seem to be able to get into passing lanes, especially on the wings, but not in a way where it looks like they're overplaying or gambling. They also have a shotblocker should they get beat on the perimeter.


I've read their scheme is unlike any that most teams see. So good thing Izzo has almost a week to study it.


Their offense looked pretty rough early on, but the game became a runaway once they were able to start hitting some shots late in the first half. I think UM's lack of offense by that time started to affect their defense.

 

[johnny2x2x]

The thing I noticed about Texas Tech is how they were able to bother Michigan into so many turnovers (for them). They seem to be able to get into passing lanes, especially on the wings, but not in a way where it looks like they're overplaying or gambling. They also have a shotblocker should they get beat on the perimeter.


I've read their scheme is unlike any that most teams see. So good thing Izzo has almost a week to study it.


Their offense looked pretty rough early on, but the game became a runaway once they were able to start hitting some shots late in the first half. I think UM's lack of offense by that time started to affect their defense.

UM has been bad from 3 all year, and they picked a bad game to totally slump from 3, they missed more than 10 wide open 3s. UM also is a weak rebounding team, good rebounding teams have given Texas Tech the most trouble.

It's a way better match up for us, but still extremely tough. Tech's defense is for real. We heard how LSU and Duke were going to turn us over too, but we seem to have gotten over the hump on turnovers.

Of note, MSU is 6-0 vs top 10 teams in defensive efficiency this season. 3-0 vs UM, 2-0 vs Wisky, and 1-0 vs Duke.

 

[gotime909]

Texas Tech's defense is definitely legit (they made Buffalo in particular look high schoolish on offense), but their philosophy seems to be pack the paint and not press on 3-point shooters as much. They have one star offensive player in Culver, but a couple other guys who hit clutch shots in Mooney and Moretti. I'll be curious to watch Winston attack them, as he is great at finding ways into the paint. Should be a great game.

I didn't see the Gonzaga game so my only game points of reference are against a MAC school and a very meh Michigan team. Seemed like Michigan had wide open shots all game long.

 

[johnny2x2x]

I didn't see the Gonzaga game so my only game points of reference are against a MAC school and a very meh Michigan team. Seemed like Michigan had wide open shots all game long.

They really frustrated the Zags's go to players who want to drive to the basket. It looked like Gonzaga was the better team most of the game, but just couldn't pull away. Then Tech really looked better the last several minutes and made all the big plays.

Watching that game, I remember thinking for most of the game that I hope Tech wins because Gonzaga is way more talented. Then towards the end I thought, hmm, maybe we wanted Gonzaga to win because Texas Tech is more clutch.

 

[MSUMatt28]

They really frustrated the Zags's go to players who want to drive to the basket. It looked like Gonzaga was the better team most of the game, but just couldn't pull away. Then Tech really looked better the last several minutes and made all the big plays.

Watching that game, I remember thinking for most of the game that I hope Tech wins because Gonzaga is way more talented. Then towards the end I thought, hmm, maybe we wanted Gonzaga to win because Texas Tech is more clutch.

Gonzaga had about as complete of a roster as any team out there, but "something" was missing about them. Some sort of toughness or killer instinct. I saw it in the stinker they put up in the WCC final vs St. Mary's and I saw it in the games vs Baylor and FSU where those teams were allowed to hang around for longer than they had any business doing, especially Baylor. Maybe their weak conference had something to do it, or maybe that's just who they were. I still don't think they deserved a 1 seed with only a 4-3 record in quadrant 1 games, but anyway.

One common thing about all 4 Final Four teams is they are all the teams have proven to be extremely resilient and gritty. Teams like MSU, UVa, now Texas Tech it's just who they are. And even Auburn who prior to Sunday was riding a streak of unconscious shooting, had to do it by gutting it out down the stretch vs Kentucky and doing so without their best frontcourt player just having been lost for the season late in the prior game.

 

[Michchamp]

Gonzaga had about as complete of a roster as any team out there, but "something" was missing about them. Some sort of toughness or killer instinct. I saw it in the stinker they put up in the WCC final vs St. Mary's and I saw it in the games vs Baylor and FSU where those teams were allowed to hang around for longer than they had any business doing, especially Baylor. Maybe their weak conference had something to do it, or maybe that's just who they were. I still don't think they deserved a 1 seed with only a 4-3 record in quadrant 1 games, but anyway.

One common thing about all 4 Final Four teams is they are all the teams have proven to be extremely resilient and gritty. Teams like MSU, UVa, now Texas Tech it's just who they are. And even Auburn who prior to Sunday was riding a streak of unconscious shooting, had to do it by gutting it out down the stretch vs Kentucky and doing so without their best frontcourt player just having been lost for the season late in the prior game.

Agree with you here. Gonzaga fell apart once St. Mary's challenged them
and didn't go away.

Looked like the same thing happened to us against Tech.

You guys have Winston though. Guy has icewater in his veins!

I don't think you can coach that.

Sometimes I wonder if it's possible to prepare teams to grit it out, or it's one of those things you either have or you don't.

 

[sggatecl]

Props to you for pulling for MSU. I can’t say I do the same when Duke plays you guys. I feel like I need a shower when that occurs, I feel gross rooting for them.

I live in Okemos, pretty much all of my neighbors and acquaintances around here are Spartans so it's gotten easier over the years in situations like this.

It only happens once every few years in basketball and once a year when your boys play OSU in football. And we have 2 showers in the house just in case.

:cheers:

 

[Spartanmack]

I didn't see the Gonzaga game so my only game points of reference are against a MAC school and a very meh Michigan team. Seemed like Michigan had wide open shots all game long.

My concern is was that a conscious decision by TT because uofm doesn't shoot well from 3. Did TT shut down the paint and forced uofm to beat them from 3?

 

[Spartanmack]

I live in Okemos, pretty much all of my neighbors and acquaintances around here are Spartans so it's gotten easier over the years in situations like this.

It only happens once every few years in basketball and once a year when your boys play OSU in football. And we have 2 showers in the house just in case.

:cheers:

how long have you lived in Okemos? My sister's husband grew up there and they live in E Lansing now - they're both in their late 40s.

 

[johnny2x2x]

My concern is was that a conscious decision by TT because uofm doesn't shoot well from 3. Did TT shut down the paint and forced uofm to beat them from 3?

Their fans seem to be saying that they shut down the lane at the expense of leaving a lot of open 3s.

 

[Spartanmack]

Their fans seem to be saying that they shut down the lane at the expense of leaving a lot of open 3s.

unless they're counting on us having a poor shooting night, they're going to have to be more balanced on defense.

 

[Spartanmack]

and oh yeah, almost forgot - suck it, Vernon Cary Jr!