Msu @ il

[Sbee]

one problem with Izzo at times is the fact that he rarely uses timeouts early in games and then uses a ton late for sideline out of bounds plays that they run constantly in practice. I think we really would have been smart to use timeouts when trapped a few times last night, like DV having two defenders on him on the sideline and heaving it across court to Forbes. our players are coached not to use timeouts to avoid turnovers but those are the times when you need to, maybe for Valentine and Trice, it's harder to change their thinking and use them.

I guess those are the things that you nit pick on the road but bottom line is that we had an excellent performance on defense last night where IL had had to work hard for everything and we were able to maintain a lead late and preserve a huge road win.

 

[MSUMatt28]

one problem with Izzo at times is the fact that he rarely uses timeouts early in games and then uses a ton late for sideline out of bounds plays that they run constantly in practice. I think we really would have been smart to use timeouts when trapped a few times last night, like DV having two defenders on him on the sideline and heaving it across court to Forbes. our players are coached not to use timeouts to avoid turnovers but those are the times when you need to, maybe for Valentine and Trice, it's harder to change their thinking and use them.

I guess those are the things that you nit pick on the road but bottom line is that we had an excellent performance on defense last night where IL had had to work hard for everything and we were able to maintain a lead late and preserve a huge road win.

I agree. The thing I liked about last night was that they were able to grind out a win on a night when the other team was defending well and our outside shots weren't falling. This team too often this season has lived or died with it's shooting. Last night they found a different way with the defense stepping up, and with Trice finding ways to drive to the basket and get to the foul line when his 3-pointers weren't falling.

Also, the stats won't really show it since he had to sit more late with fouls, but Dawson was a force. He still missed a few, but he's becoming a more reliable option for inside scoring than earlier in the season, and defensively he was excellent.

 

[Sbee]

I agree. The thing I liked about last night was that they were able to grind out a win on a night when the other team was defending well and our outside shots weren't falling. This team too often this season has lived or died with it's shooting. Last night they found a different way with the defense stepping up, and with Trice finding ways to drive to the basket and get to the foul line when his 3-pointers weren't falling.

Also, the stats won't really show it since he had to sit more late with fouls, but Dawson was a force. He still missed a few, but he's becoming a more reliable option for inside scoring than earlier in the season, and defensively he was excellent.

I think Dawson should win DPOY in the big ten and should be the runner up to KK for BTPOY. If he had the fuse lit like this for his entire career you can only imagine what we would have accomplished

 

[Sbee]

also, not sure if i'm the only one who thinks this but Groce's animated sideline routine makes him very hard to like, along with Crean. I think he does jumping jacks every time they make a big play or he thinks they don't get a call

 

[Sbee]

back to #25 in the coaches poll, doesn't matter much but it is nice to see a number next to our name

 

[Spartan23MSU]

also, not sure if i'm the only one who thinks this but Groce's animated sideline routine makes him very hard to like, along with Crean. I think he does jumping jacks every time they make a big play or he thinks they don't get a call

Crean just looks sweaty and coked out/strung out. We could definitely take that game at IU, it was a bit more formidable in Bloomington a few years ago. weve had a nice 6/7 run just at the edge of a dead season. I suppose if the least talented team youve had in a decade stand at 10-4 in the B10 at this juncture, youve got to feel good. Weve turned it around and toughed out some filthy games. We havent played well at home so we cant afford to piss one away against the goophers.