You guys don?t have a game thread for the Penn State game going on right now?

[tinselwolverine]

Spartans going into the second half of trailing by seven on the road. I wonder if there?s a way that they both could lose?

 

[Michchamp]

It's on in the gym here. just saw that huge 3 to go up 51-50 MSU.

ball movement and what not on offense from MSU looks a lot better than last year.

 

[Michchamp]

don't get me wrong, I'd like MSU to lose, but it would still be cool if we played in late February both undefeated in the conference. a lot of good publicity for the state of Michigan.

seems unlikely to happen though.

 

[tinselwolverine]

don't get me wrong, I'd like MSU to lose, but it would still be cool if we played in late February both undefeated in the conference. a lot of good publicity for the state of Michigan.

seems unlikely to happen though.

There are quite a number of tough big 10 road games for both teams before that time.

Yes it does seem unlikely.

 

[Michchamp]

man this place is quieter than an MSU campus library! on Friday night.

or any night!

or any time, sadly.

 

[tinselwolverine]

man this place is quieter than an MSU campus library! on Friday night.

or any night!

or any time, sadly.

Anytime-just before finals, term paper time, etc.?

 

[gotime909]

Stinks like sex in here

 

[SpartyNash]

don't get me wrong, I'd like MSU to lose, but it would still be cool if we played in late February both undefeated in the conference. a lot of good publicity for the state of Michigan.

seems unlikely to happen though.

Would be electric but not a chance

 

[Michchamp]

Stinks like sex in here

gross.


Pretty damn nice road win for you guys though today.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Am I in the Michigan forum?

 

[tinselwolverine]

Am I in the Michigan forum?

No Michigan state-there is a team to play today. We?ll have a game thread for the Indiana game on the Michigan Florence tomorrow.

It?s cool, Spartan fans come and post on the Michigan bored all the time.

 

[Spartan23MSU]

don't get me wrong, I'd like MSU to lose, but it would still be cool if we played in late February both undefeated in the conference. a lot of good publicity for the state of Michigan.

seems unlikely to happen though.

Id assume youd be dead middle and didnt care OR maybe OSU lose by a 40 footer at the buzzer from the football loss Im happy for the road win. Spread was -2.5 MSU. No draft pick stars on this team and most arent expecting much since Jackson left after his first year. Were just letting it play out without expecations. Being deflated in past years with a "superior team" will do that.

 

[Michchamp]

Id assume youd be dead middle and didnt care OR maybe OSU lose by a 40 footer at the buzzer from the football loss Im happy for the road win. Spread was -2.5 MSU. No draft pick stars on this team and most arent expecting much since Jackson left after his first year. Were just letting it play out without expecations. Being deflated in past years with a "superior team" will do that.

I wanted OSU to win only because I think MSU is a lot better, and won't lose many more games.

 

[Sbee]

I wanted OSU to win only because I think MSU is a lot better, and won't lose many more games.

MSU and UM have separated themselves from the rest of the big ten. They will both likely lose before they play in February but I'd be shocked if one of the two doesn't win the conference.

 

[Spartanmack]

can't stand in-game threads - too much of a distraction. I did post in a few this football season (I think I may have even started one) because I got so frustrated and needed to complain about it.

 

[tinselwolverine]

A little late in the game for this but better late than never.

 

[Spartanmack]

I only got to watch a few minutes of it. My 9 year old came home from a Cub Scout event and asked if we could go to the gym to shoot baskets so I missed the last 30 minutes of action. Seems like it was never really in doubt.

 

[MSUMatt28]

I didn't think they played particularly great, but the lead was 15-20 most of the way. They need to get Ahrens and Langford back.


Difference between last year and this in Big Ten play is last year I'd watch and think "we're not playing that bad. How are we only up 5?" and at times this year I've thought, "We're not playing that great, how are we up 15?". Difficult to explain. I think this team just does the little things a lot better. Things that aren't obvious when you're watching or make you take note, but pay off big on the scoreboard at the end of the day.

 

[Spartanmack]

I didn't think they played particularly great, but the lead was 15-20 most of the way. They need to get Ahrens and Langford back.


Difference between last year and this in Big Ten play is last year I'd watch and think "we're not playing that bad. How are we only up 5?" and at times this year I've thought, "We're not playing that great, how are we up 15?". Difficult to explain. I think this team just does the little things a lot better. Things that aren't obvious when you're watching or make you take note, but pay off big on the scoreboard at the end of the day.

I'm not x's and o's expert but to me it's the defense. This team is better top-to-bottom defensively than they were last year. Hard to imagine without having JJJ's rim protection and Bridges' athleticism & size, but it seems like they're making it a lot harder for opponents to get shots. I thought we were protecting the ball better but looking at the stats, we're averaging same turnovers as last year - 13 per game. Ward and Langford are actually a little worse, Winston's numbers are the same so far.

Maybe it's not having a PG that contributed nothing on offense for 17 minutes per game...

 

[MSUMatt28]

I'm not x's and o's expert but to me it's the defense. This team is better top-to-bottom defensively than they were last year. Hard to imagine without having JJJ's rim protection and Bridges' athleticism & size, but it seems like they're making it a lot harder for opponents to get shots. I thought we were protecting the ball better but looking at the stats, we're averaging same turnovers as last year - 13 per game. Ward and Langford are actually a little worse, Winston's numbers are the same so far.

Maybe it's not having a PG that contributed nothing on offense for 17 minutes per game...

I agree the defense is better. The defensive numbers last year I think were very good (especially opponents FG%), but it seemed like JJJ's shot blocking made that deceptively so. There were more breakdowns last year and maybe an overreliance on the bailout block. Also the team's desire to block shots last year often put them in not great rebounding position and they seemed to give up a lot of offensive rebounds. Don't have the numbers in front of me, but I am guessing they are ahead of last year's as well.

Playing good defense without fouling and not giving them those hidden points at the FT line is probably also a contributing factor. It seems like we're fouling less this year (again don't have the numbers in front of me).