Portland at MSU

[LuciousGameWinner]

We've come out flat 2 straight games now. We look awful!! Gauna got the start today over Costello. I don't understand why we don't start Appling, Harris, Valentine, Dawson, and Payne.

 

[Spartanmack]

Sbee or Johnny2x2x should be here soon enough with an explanation for why shooting 34% against portland and barely out-rebounding them is good.

 

[gotime909]

We should be a much better rebounding team than we've shown.

 

[gotime909]

Izzo must have got on em at the half about rebounding. They are far more aggressive going after the ball on the boards so far.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

This is beyond awful at this point, it's embarrassing. Once again I'll say...can we please start pressing teams to speed up the game?

 

[gotime909]

Our strength is running, but we seem to be bringing it up and setting up our half court offense. Maybe Izzo is just treating this game as a glorified practice.....trying to work on our half court sets. Getting late in the game and it's too close for that. Time to let the dogs loose and run.

 

[gotime909]

Lots of bad fouls. Need to stop biting on these pump fakes.

 

[gotime909]

Costello's looking more active tonight.

 

[Spartanmack]

This is beyond awful at this point, it's embarrassing. Once again I'll say...can we please start pressing teams to speed up the game?

You are so negative. We're number 1 in the country. Why can't you just be happy with that?

 

[Sbee]

Portland hit a lot of contested 3's earlier and we were trying to run a little too much, we took some wild shots. I liked a lot of what I sae tonight

 

[Sbee]

Also, dawson really fills up the stat sheet even though his only shots are putbacks for the most part

 

[Spartanmack]

Portland hit a lot of contested 3's earlier and we were trying to run a little too much, we took some wild shots. I liked a lot of what I sae tonight

That's my man - knew you wouldn't let me down. But 3 of 9 from 3 in the first half is not quite "a lot"

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

You are so negative. We're number 1 in the country. Why can't you just be happy with that?

I walked right into that one.

 

[SpartyNash]

I don't like how we have jacked up so many 3s in these first few games, we haven't pounded it inside near enough.

 

[Spartanmack]

I walked right into that one.

I doubt anyone has more cause to be negative on the Spartans than me tonight - they were the only loss in a 20:1 parlay. That's annoying.

 

[Sbee]

Appling had the best line I can remember for a msu pg with 25pts on 7-12, 5-5 from 3, 7a, 1to

 

[MSUMatt28]

I don't like how we have jacked up so many 3s in these first few games, we haven't pounded it inside near enough.

Who are we going to pound it into? Certainly not Costello/Gauna/Schilling. Payne a bit, but that's not really his game. Maybe Dawson if the matchup is right. This team's best way to get points in the paint is via the fast break or dribble penetration (especially with the tighter officiating).

 

[Spartanmack]

Payne has good range and I have no problem with him taking some jump shots and 3s but against teams like Columbia and Portland he should be in the post a lot more - those teams can't stop him down low and while he's eating their big men alive and getting them into foul trouble they have to crowd the paint which should get more looks for Harris, Appling, etc. He can shoot over these teams all day long and he's a solid free throw shooter. He should be doing more work in the paint against these smaller teams and/or less athletic big men.

 

[LuciousGameWinner]

Boy do we miss nix! Not only inside, but no one tweets "RIP to da competition" anymore.
On a more series note I was excited to see Kaminski in the game and in all honesty he looks out of shape big time!

 

[Sbee]

Payne has good range and I have no problem with him taking some jump shots and 3s but against teams like Columbia and Portland he should be in the post a lot more - those teams can't stop him down low and while he's eating their big men alive and getting them into foul trouble they have to crowd the paint which should get more looks for Harris, Appling, etc. He can shoot over these teams all day long and he's a solid free throw shooter. He should be doing more work in the paint against these smaller teams and/or less athletic big men.

FYI, Portland is as big as we are, maybe bigger. they have 3 guys over 6,10" and two more over 6'7"

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/roster/_/id/2501/portland-pilots