DISQUS

Inside the Hall: Why They’ll Win It All: Michigan State

  • deedubbadoo · 7 months ago
    This is the team I drew in our work pool, so that is why I am hoping they win. Well that a coupled with the fact that I really respect and like Coach Izzo. The guy just does things the right way. Now if it was Illinois instead of MSU in the final four, I would hope that Thabeet could volleyball spike a shot and break Bruce Webber's nose! I will happily route for MSU to bring this thing home.
  • JerryCT · 7 months ago
    Me too.

    It will be fascinating to see whose strengths are stronger. MSU guards or UCONN guards, MSU rebounding or UCONN rebounding. If they stalemate on these points then I give an edge to MSU since I like their bench and the home crowd.

    Against UNC or Nova I donot feel as confident about MSU. The bench is negated.
  • JerryCT · 7 months ago
    Also, UCONN is a perennially poor half court offensive team relying on one on one play to get shots when forced deeper into the clock. If MSU can stop the scoring early in the clock as the defense sets up they will be in good shape. If not they can be in trouble.
  • ALH_00 · 7 months ago
    I totally agree. Purdue really controlled UCONN's half-court offense. How many 15-footers did Adrien miss? Thabeet is a "clean-up" guy"; not someone who consistently succeeds creating his own offense from the post. UCONN's strength is scoring in transition. MSU should have the athletes, physicality, and bench to limit that. But, MSU has offensive problems too (shooting...and the complete disappearing act of Morgan). This should be a great game.
  • southsidehitmen · 7 months ago
    I'm really looking forward to the Michigan State/Connecticut matchup.

    I remember last year how badly Calhoun outcoached Sampson during the game at Indiana...and as Alex mentioned Izzo always has his team playing its best at the right time. (And their strategy against Louisville was a thing of beauty.)

    Two of the best COACHES (both good recruiters, but even better in-game coaches) in the game. I can't wait to see the strategies.
  • JerryCT · 7 months ago
    I think one analyst said that the trick to beating UCONN is to move Thabeet around the floor on defense. I think Suton can do that. Then again they can always play a zone or play 4 on 5 letting Thabeet roam the middle.

    Indeed it will be fascinating
  • MikeinNC · 7 months ago
    I think the final reason in favor of the Spartans is that they are likely to have a meaningful home court advantage....things are rough in the state of Michigan right now, and people will rally around this team like crazy, and with the NCAA trying to set an attendance record, you are likely to have a lot of frenzied fans wearing green in the crowd....this team has a real sense that they could give the whole state a nice shot in the arm by bringing this title home.

    But in the end I think Carolina is just too dang good.
  • Hoosier_Hound · 7 months ago
    Apparently, Coach Knight was in Memphis interviewing for the job today. But, Memphis' first choice is supposedly Bruce Pearl, and they haven't talked to him yet.
  • JerryCT · 7 months ago
    Are you on crack or mushrooms or is it me.

    I cannot see either in my wildest hallucinations. Memphis will have to go 2nd tier like before. Butler guy, WKU guy or even Xavier guy is what they will go for. Maybe Larry Eustachy if he is not too drunk to sign.

    Happy to see Tony Bennett at UVA. I wish him luck.
  • jjwires · 7 months ago
    I really hope that the Spartans can win it all. Penn State won an exciting game tonight in the NIT. Our conference would look pretty good if we won the NCAA too. I'm so sick of hearing how strong the Big East is!