Michigan State Preview

Here is this morning’s article from the Lansing State Journal.

MSU’s [starting lineup], by comparison, comes in at 6-5. The size mismatch between Fells, Grant, Degand and some of the perimeter Spartans who will be guarding them is why Izzo said this game “comes down to them.”

From the MSU perspective, it also comes down to the Spartans simply playing better. Izzo has been spending time in the past couple days working on offensive execution, which has been disjointed for stretches.MSU’s, by comparison, comes in at 6-5. The size mismatch between Fells, Grant, Degand and some of the perimeter Spartans who will be guarding them is why Izzo said this game “comes down to them.”

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07-08 Basketball NCS Basketball

36 Responses to Michigan State Preview

  1. ShootingGuard 11/28/2007 at 3:31 PM #

    Bingo # 1

    “Meanwhile, MSU’s intent to play fast-break basketball has been stymied at times by the defense. Dribble penetration was part of the reason the Spartans gave up 42 offensive rebounds to UCLA and Oakland. MSU’s big men have had to help out and take themselves out of position.

    Strong perimeter defense leads to clean defensive rebounds, which lead to fast breaks.”

    We can relate to that problem…

    Bingo # 2

    “And the chemistry still isn’t there for a team that is integrating talented freshmen Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen and Durrell Summers.

    “It hasn’t been the same as, say, the end of last year,” MSU senior center Drew Naymick said. “We’re introducing the freshmen, and the roles have been not as concrete, hammered-out, especially defensively. … A chemistry thing like that is just something you’ve got to work out through repetitions and time – you can’t just flip a switch.””

    Ditto for us…

  2. gopherfan 11/28/2007 at 3:56 PM #

    Anyone notice that the point spread is 10.5 tonight? I’ll put my green on the pack.

  3. Todd 11/28/2007 at 4:44 PM #

    looks like the only game between ranked teams tonight. On tv ??

  4. graywolf 11/28/2007 at 4:47 PM #

    My fear is offensive and defensive rebounding. If we lose out on the boards then we may have a problem winning tonight. Officiating is also a problems in that the “let em play” attitude tis the norm at MSU.

  5. zahadum 11/28/2007 at 5:08 PM #

    This is a really interesting matchup to me for X’s and O’s reasons. Be curious to see how each coach handles things both strategically and tactically.

    For instance, there’s the obvious question; can we avoid getting killed on the boards? Will we see the really big lineup?

    Do we try to control Neitzel or do we let him ‘get his’ and focus on everybody else?

    From their side, will Izzo go mostly zone or will he try to go man to man with us? If the latter, then Fells will be mostly guarded by a freshman who’s 5 inches shorter. Will Sid try to post him up everytime? If so, how will Courtney respond? Brandon could also be a matchup problem for them.

    Should be fun to watch.

  6. Sw0rdf1sh 11/28/2007 at 5:13 PM #

    ^Astral

    That’s right with the Pistons approach. Punch them straight in the mouth and take it to them. Unfortunately, I don’t think that would be the case, but a wonderful thought nonetheless.

    I agree also that there are some similarities between the two teams. I know are team looks out of sync as hell from my POV. I thought we would be much more fluid playing together with the talent we have, but it seems like we are just this close to getting it together.

    Let’s hope tonight we can pull down a W and keep inching up the respect ladder.

  7. E-RO 11/28/2007 at 5:46 PM #

    “Many, Izzo said, are the result of players trying to do too much.

    “I think we’re trying to get home run plays,” Morgan said, “when we need singles and bunts.”

    To beat the Wolfpack tonight, the Spartans will need it all – pitching, catching, defense and production one through nine.

    So I was a little worried about this game, but after reading this article they’ll be too busy playing baseball to beat us in basketball.

  8. redfred2 11/28/2007 at 7:09 PM #

    Just in case anyone hasn’t picked up on it yet, I have a preference for coaches who let their players know, as well as the nearest officiating crew, exactly what they’re thinking. I don’t know if I’d care for Tom Izzo if I had to witness him every night on an opposing ACC team’s bench, and maybe he does whine a bit much, but from afar, I do like his presence in the coach’s box.

    Here’s to hoping that he has more than plenty to whine about and absolutely sucks in the coach’s box tonight though.

  9. RabidWolf 11/28/2007 at 7:39 PM #

    “They tend to allow physical play. Not what I wanted to hear since they have a rep as a physical team, but who knows what’ll happen tonight.”

    At least we know JJ can take a hard blow (remember the Russian Sickle he took vs. ‘Nova). Physical play doesn’t really concern me, we have the players to handle it—JJ, Big Ben, Costner, Smith. We have seen three of those four handle rough play, and come out pretty much on top. This is going to be a tough challenge, but IMHO the ‘Pack is up for it, and will come out on top on the road again.

  10. RabidWolf 11/28/2007 at 7:41 PM #

    Izzo is to Big 10 as K is to ACC?

  11. Primewolf 11/28/2007 at 8:31 PM #

    I suspect we will be fired up and start off with some intensity.

    Rebounding will determine the game. A big difference in MSU favor and we are dead.

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