MSU @ Michigan

[Sbee]

huge game for us tomorrow, not just in terms of the rivalry but our tournament chances and positioning in the big ten. I think this week we need to win 1 of 2 games to keep the momentum we built with 2 wins last week. A win would put is at 9-4 in the big ten and in great shape for 11 and possibly 12 wins, Michigan is in nothing to lose mode. Michigan has been competitive in almost all of their games lately with a lineup that is basically duct taped together.

there are two keys to this game, the first is pace of play. Beilein is looking to squeeze possessions and shrink the game, they want to get deep in the shot clock on both ends of the floor and preserve energy. we want to make them work in transition to get easy baskets and gas them so they don't have much left in the last 5 minutes.

the other key is to keep the foul differential in check. I'm not complaining about officiating here, we simply foul more than they do and they don't really have a post presence other than Doyle who will be a good back to the basket player but isn't there yet. Michigan is good from the line and we're terrible so all the more reason to hope this game isn't called too tightly, also more fouls gives Michigan more time to rest.

we also need to just dominate the glass, make sure they only get one shot and take advantage of the second chances we get.

this game won't be a trackmeet but if we can get good shots early in the clock I don't see Michigan being able to hang around. If every possession goes 25 to 30 seconds that's a big advantage for Michigan.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

This game is big! Michigan state needs to move up past the 8th and 9th seed. If you're in one of those spots and you win you have a date with a number one team. That would suck unless that number one team is gonzaga.

I honestly think they can win the UM, Illinois, and Minn games. It would be nice to win one at Indy or Wisc but I won't happen. Win a game or two in the big ten tournament and they're a 6 or 7 seed in the tournament.

 

[Sbee]

This game is big! Michigan state needs to move up past the 8th and 9th seed. If you're in one of those spots and you win you have a date with a number one team. That would suck unless that number one team is gonzaga.

I honestly think they can win the UM, Illinois, and Minn games. It would be nice to win one at Indy or Wisc but I won't happen. Win a game or two in the big ten tournament and they're a 6 or 7 seed in the tournament.

best case for me is 4-2 beating Michigan, IL, MN, and Purdue putting us 12-6, 3-3 is more realistic for us though.

I'm not worried too much about seeding, i want to see us get to 21 wins on the year prior to selection sunday. I'd also like to see us get a double bye in the big ten tourney

 

[Michchamp]

should we even bother showing up for this one? I know we didn't even belong on the same court as MSU earlier in the season, and now that it's later in the season, Izzo will have his team firing on all cylinders.

 

[Sbee]

should we even bother showing up for this one? I know we didn't even belong on the same court as MSU earlier in the season, and now that it's later in the season, Izzo will have his team firing on all cylinders.

so fucking predictable

 

[Michchamp]

so fucking predictable

predictable... that MSU will win, right? because they're so good?

 

[tinselwolverine]

should we even bother showing up for this one? I know we didn't even belong on the same court as MSU earlier in the season, and now that it's later in the season, Izzo will have his team firing on all cylinders.

Yeah, the Michigan team might as well show up, and give it the old college try, right?

It's in Ann Arbor anyway; not like they have go a long way to get there.

Plus Nik Stauskas is gonna be there, along the Athlete Ear Imam.

Wouldn't want to disappoint them by not having the game.

 

[Sbee]

predictable... that MSU will win, right? because they're so good?

Since you don't know a ton about college basketball you want to turn it into a MSU vs UM argument and puff your chest out. If you want to play this game, then fuck it, I will too.

The situation in this game vs the one in East Lansing is completely differnet because of the huge impact of home court in college basketball. I think MSU should win the game but it's nowhere near as likely as it was in EL, MSU was favored by 10 in that game, I'd guess that we will be favored by 3 or 4 tomorrow night. It's still a game that we should win but far less likely than it was in EL.

now go ahead and start some ego argument that doesn't require a lot of basketball knowledge.

 

[Michchamp]

I don't have a lot of basketball knowledge. I bow to your expertise on the subject.

Your knowledge always leads you to predict results with such amazing clarity.

 

[Sbee]

I don't have a lot of basketball knowledge. I bow to your expertise on the subject.

Your knowledge always leads you to predict results with such amazing clarity.

Like I said, MSU will most likely be a 3-4 pt favorite I'd give them a 60% chanc at winning. We are 13-12 ATS this year so given those #s I'd say that we stand a decent chance. Home court makes a huge difference, but that doesn't fit your narrative I guess

 

[Michchamp]

Like I said, MSU will most likely be a 3-4 pt favorite I'd give them a 60% chanc at winning. We are 13-12 ATS this year so given those #s I'd say that we stand a decent chance. Home court makes a huge difference, but that doesn't fit your narrative I guess

You seem upset. Get up on the wrong side of the bed today?

 

[Sbee]

one factor that will be different in this game is Tum Tum, if he has a big game I think it has a multiplier effect. We didn't play the freshmen much in the first game with the quick thursday road game to sunday turnaround. we didn't have enough time to get these guys up on UM's offense with film and practice. He's so fast with the ball getting it up the court, he could really impact the pace of the game and he wasn't able to do that in the first game. he only had 7 minutes in EL, having him for 25+ tonight will be another thing for Michigan to worry about.

 

[johnny2x2x]

We are 4.5 point favorites at -190. Run the ball enough and we win.

Edit: Line has moved to 5.5 this afternoon.

If you could get 4.5 this morning and 5.5 tonight, would be a good two way bet and then pray for a 5 point win.

 

[Spartanmack]

It would be a waste of time and money - you're basically giving your bookie 10% hoping for a miracle. If you think MSU covers 4.5 or 5.5, you're much better off just taking that and hoping they have a 5+ pt lead at half time. The second half line would probably be MSU -1.5 or 2 then you can hedge with a full 3 pts or greater middle after watching 20 minutes of basketball and getting a better sense of whether or not it's a good hedge.

 

[SpartyNash]

Sloppy ballhandling right now, couple of careless turnovers

 

[gotime909]

Bricking 3's so far

 

[gotime909]

Trice is on fire

 

[Sbee]

Good pace for MSU, michigan can't play this quickly. Also not a ton of fouls, another good sign

 

[Sbee]

It's actually good to see teddy valentine, you want him on the road, not afraid to piss the home crowd off.

 

[gotime909]

Could be huge if Tum can keep hitting that shot