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Previous Polls: Dec 16 - Jan 1 Point difference in MSU vs Georgia Georgia wins
by 7+ 38% Dec 7 - Dec 15 What scares you the most about UGA? It's an upper-tier SEC team 51%RB Knowshon Moreno 24% QB Matt Stafford 18% Coach Mark Richt 5% Pass defense 2% 55 total votes Nov 23 - Dec 6 Who would you prefer MSU play in its bowl game? South Carolina 56%Georgia 29% Oklahoma St 5% Ole Miss 8% Missouri 1% 96 total votes Nov 9 - 16 Considering MSU bowl needs, do your support Michigan over Ohio St? Yes
64% 103 total votes Nov 2 - 8 How many points for MSU vs Purdue? under
17 - 2% 45 total votes Oct 12 - Oct 18 How will
MSU finish the regular season? 91 votes Oct 19 - Oct 26 How many
yards will Ringer rush vs scUM? 63 votes Oct 12 -18 Best chance
for trick play vs Ohio St? 64 votes Oct 4 - Oct 11 What
is the key to victory at Northwestern? 73 votes Sep 28 - Oct 3 What
is the best matchup this weekend? 73 votes Sep 20-27 Who
is the best defensive surprise for MSU? 68 votes Sep 14-19 What
does MSU need to improve most to beat ND? 84 votes Sep 6-13 What should
MSU be most concerned about FAU? 66 votes Sep 4- 6 Which Spartan
does QB Brian Hoyer most closely mimic? Aug 31 - Sep 4 How many games will MSU win this year? 8 (45) 50.00%
90 Total
Votes Aug 26 - Aug 30 Total yards for MSU vs Cal? under 250
(4) 5.19% correct answer:
406 yards. 77 Total Votes Aug 16 - Aug 25 Key to MSU in 2008 Offensive
line blocking 28.47% 137 Total
Votes July 30 - Aug 15 Which of these players is your favorite? Greg Jones
(113) 57.95% 195 Total Votes June 28 - July 29 What do you think of MSU playing Montana State? Scheduling
D I-AA is too bad; now we've joined the rest. 30.27% I'm torn - we need a W, but it is watering down the schedule. 14.18% Appalachian
State II? We better win! 11.11% We need the
W for a bowl bid. Good move. 8.81% I love slaughters.
We'll kill them. A+ move. 5.36% 261 Total
Votes Apr
18 - June 27 Yes (48)
36.09% 133 Total Votes Mar 29 - Apr 17 Who would you rather gig with? Drew Naymick
29% Mar 22 - 28 Where will you watch MSU in Sweet 16? In Atlanta
3.81% 105 Total Votes Mar 15 - Mar 21 Which longshot will make it furthest in the men's NCAAs? W. Kentucky
29.63% 54 Total Votes Feb 29 - Mar 14 The Enlightened
Poll Semi finals
(39) 28.89% 135 Total Votes Feb 11 - 28 Who is the best player for MSU hoops so far this year? Kalin Lucas
56.18% 178 Total Votes Feb 1 - Feb 10 What will
be MSU's final reg. season M-hoops record be? 128 Total Votes Dec 29 - Jan 31 Your expectations for the '08 recruiting class Top 10 -
0.61% 326 Total Votes Dec 25 - Dec 28 Biggest advantage for MSU over BC? Rush offense
46.07% 89 Total Votes Dec 3 - Dec 24 Best thing about Orlando? Champs Bowl
30.46% 174 Total
Votes Nov 17 - Dec 2 The Enlightened
Poll A (47) 12.14%
387 Total Votes Nov 14 - Nov 17 Would you go see MSU play at the Motor City Bowl? Yes (111)
81.62% 136 Total Votes Oct 28 - Nov 13 Will MSU win another game? Yes (221)
61.22% 361 Total Votes Oct 21 - 27 What is the biggest key to victory over Iowa? Ringer/Caulcrick
- 150+ rushing yds combined 37.82% 156 Total Votes Oct 14- 20 Who is MSU's
MVP so far? 184 Total Votes Oct 7 - 14 Grade MD on the season so far? A (12) 4.69%
256 Total Votes Sep 30 - Oct 6 Other than MSU, who is the biggest surprise in the NCAA? California
(3) 1.99% 151 Total Votes Sept 23 - 30 Now how many wins will MSU get this year? 7 (102) 32.90%
310 Total Votes Sept 17 - 22 How many rushing yards can the MSU defense hold ND to? 50-100 (62)
43.06% 144 Total Votes * correct answer: 117 yds Sept 14 - 16 Compare Wannstedt's moustache: who is he mimicking? Ugly She-Man
32.09% 134 Total Votes Sept 9 - 13 How many points will Pitt score on MSU? 15-17 (32)
23.19% 138 Total Votes Sept 2 - Sept 8 What was more sweet? watching Appalachian St beat scUM? 63.49% watching
MSU crush UAB? 36.51% 189 Total Votes Aug 27 - Sept 1 How many yards will MSU run vs UAB? 101-125 (0)
0.00% correct answer:
298 yds. 116 Total Votes Aug 9 - Aug 26 What position is the key to MSU success this year? OL (51) 22.67% 225 Total Votes
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MSU men's basketball history featured on Big Ten Network; MSU ranked #7/#8/#12; Mo Pete Jersey Retirement Party vs Kansas on Saturday (2009 Jan 5)--The Big Ten Network will feature "The Greatest Stories of Michigan State Basketball" numerous times over the next week: Wed, Jan 7, at 11:30 pm; Fri, Jan 9, at 10 pm; Sat, Jan 10, at 6:30 pm; and Sun, Jan 11, at 1:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Also, the 2000 national championship vs Florida will be replayed this Saturday, Jan 11, at both 11 am and 8 pm. MSU basketball history on the BTN's high rotation list, Spartan fans! MSU men's hoops is now ranked #8 in the AP, #12 in the UPI, and #7 in the all important RPI rankings. On the slate: two big home games this week, vs 10-2/1-1 Ohio State and defending national champ 10-3 Kansas (national TV on CBS). MSU's last loss at home? 25 games ago, Feb. 3, 2007, against No. 4 Ohio State. The Big Green has three days off—before classes start next week —to prepare for Kansas. There is talk that Mo Pete's jersey will be retired Saturday during the game. Mo Pete... is.... SWEET! Capital One Bowl Recap: Good Effort, Short Outcome (2009 Jan 1)--Let's give the Michigan State Spartan gridders a little love, here. Damn, it was a fun game to watch, even though MSU came up short to Georgia, 24-12. MSU never submitted in this game, and neither did Georgia. A GREAT defensive battle. The ES watched from EL Central, at the Peanut Barrel. The MSU defense was AWESOME, playing its best game of the year... but it didn't get any help from the Spartan offense. MSU gave up just 331 yards to UGA, and only had 236 yards itself. Greg Jones and Otis Wiley were studs and layed the lumber a few times on the higlight reel today. Jones had 12 tackles to lead all defenders, and Otis Wiley had 7 hisself. Both played awesome and raised their stock. The biggest liability for MSU today? I hate to say it, but it was QB Brian Hoyer (18-34-1-169). Hoyer repeatedly missed open receivers and overthrew passes, as he has all year long. Particularly on third down. But, just as big of a liability was the entire MSU offensive line inability to break Ringer free (47 rush yards) -- the ES pointed out this as a major challenge today, and the O-line failed to convert. Notably, MSU DID bottle up Knowshon Moreno (62 rush yards), and the Georgia passing game for most of the day... MSU was also the recipient of three TOs (fumble, INT, botched punt) and a slew of UGA stupid penalties... but on offense, they couldn't turn much of it into points. Blame this one on Hoyer and the O-line, Spartan fans -- and great play by the Georgia defense. Of course, I got the typical cell phone call from my bro early in the second quarter, "what the f*%k are they doing? They are getting manhandled"... indeed they were. O-coordinator Don Treadwell went on a brain fart early in the 2nd period, he must have been giddy with all the gifts handed to him. A reverse pass, sweep play, etc. None worked and led to about 30 yards in losses... instead of considering play action passing downfield. It's too bad because the brain-farts hapenned in the middle of great opportunities.. instead of 14 points, MSU got 6. Still, MSU led at half, 6-3. Botttom line: MSU hung in there. After their late TD, it was 17-12 and mid-4th quarter. Few gave MSU a chance to be that close, but they were. And it wasn't a bullshit effort built on flukes. It was hard work, well-earned by MSU to play tight all game long. MSU can build on this game, return to Orlando or better yet Pasadena next year AND WIN! It is a stepping stone, but a good one. It is tough to be optimistic after a loss, but today I see a glowing future for MSU. Defense wins titles, and today's defense was great. Our defense will be VERY GOOD next year. Watch out Big Ten. Congrats, Georgia, and congrats Mark Dantonio on a great year for MSU. Score by
Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score Scoring Summary: Kickoff time:
1:07 pm End of Game: 4:26 pm Total elapsed time: 3:19 Georgia's Matt Stafford voted as the game's MVP. UGA MSU FIRST DOWNS...................
19 16 POUND GREEN POUND! (2009 Jan 1)--Happy New Year! It is time to pound the Georgia Bulldogs into submission. When will they submit? 4th quarter, 3rd quarter? Live Chat, Open Thread here throughout the game, opens 12:30 pm. ES Game Day Preview Part II - More More More. Top 3 Stats, Top 3 MSU Challenges. Live Chat & More (2008 Dec 31)--Those interested, we will have a live chat room open for the MSU vs Georgia Capital One Bowl, and other bells & whistles for you to contribute. Tune in, chime in. I actually created a podcast this am and my computer died on me before I saved it. So instead of via audio, I'll print some of my thoughts, including Top 3 stats to watch and top 3 challenges for MSU: Top Three Stats: #1. First Downs. Georgia had 21.2 to MSU's 19.0 average per game. But, Georgia also scored 32 ppg to MSU's 26... The difference, six more points on two more first downs per game, is larger than you might think; #2. Third Down Success. Georgia and MSU had roughly the same number of third downs converted this year: 62 for MSU, 61 for Georgia. BUT, Georgia converted that in 30 less attempts. It means a 42%-35% advantage. #3. Punting. Georgia punted the ball 46 times this year, and had 31 fair caught or downed inside the 20. MSU? 66 punts, and similarly, 31 fair caught or downed I20. Combined, the three statistics mean: Georgia is more efficient with the football, scoring more with less plays, and creates opportunities for better field position to control the game. Top Three Challenges: #1. Knowshon Moreno. How will MSU stop Moreno? The Spartans struggled vs the best running teams it faced in the Big Ten... Shonn Greene (Iowa, 157 yds, 5.2 avg), Beanie Wells (OSU, 140 yds, 4.0 avg), Hill & Clay (Wisc, 217 yds, 2.5 avg) and Tyrell Sutton (NW, 160 yds, 6.0 avg). Expect a similar result out of Georgia. #2. UGA Passing Game. Wow, they're good. Stafford is completing pases at a 61% clip; he was only sacked 15 times this year; and his receivers, Massqauoi and Green, had combined 112 catches for 1,900 yards and 16 TDs. #3. Blocking for Javon Ringer. MSU will run the ball extensively to Ringer -- can they find success against Georgia stacking the line? In its last six games, the Bulldogs gave up rushing yards: 114 (Vandy), 188 (LSU), 185 (Florida), 226 (Kentucky), 124 (Auburn), and 409 (Ga Tech). In its last four games vs quality defenses, MSU has run: 91 (Iowa), 52 (Ohio St), 25 (Wisky), 35 (Penn St). In its last three games vs average defenses: 128 (NW), 167 (scUM), 146 (Purdue). What is important here is how MSU uses Ringer to control the clock and the tempo of the game. Notably, MSU won 5 of those 7 games... can they control the tempo vs Georgia with its run game? Chance to win: 40%, I give MSU a 2 of 5 chance. Minnesota, Tubby Smith Taught a Lesson by Michigan State In Good Ole-Fashioned Ass Kicking, 70-58
(2008 Dec 31)--You hate to rub it in, but let's do it anyway. Michigan State wiped the floor of Williams Arena with the University of Minnesota basketball team. I predicted we'd win, but the Spartans kicked their ass. The score was 70-58, but it wasn't that close... it was closer to the 55-0 ass-beating by Iowa in Minny's final football game. Tubbyball still has a long way to go. The #10 Spartans taught the #21 Gophers a lesson or three today. MSU outshot, outrebounded, outjumped, outhustled, outdefended, and outplayed the Gophers from the opening tipoff. The Gophers couldn't handle the Spartans. It was a clinical performance by the Green and White. MSU looked awesome, and Minnesota looked like the crack of my grandma's ass. By the 6:00 mark of the second half, MSU was in control & up by 19, and you could have heard a mouse squeak in "the barn." Kalin "Lightning" Lucas had 24 pts; and MSU received a pair of double-doubles from both Raymar "Captain" Morgan (10 pts, 10 rebs) and Goran "The Serbian Sultan" Suton (11 pts, 12 rebs). MSU also solved its free throw woes, going 12-13 from the line. MSU outrebounded Minny, 43-22. But, it was MSU's defense which dominated -- who is the best Gopher threat offensively? I have no idea, and you couldn't tell today... MSU completely shut down Minny in the second half. "From the Barn" called it "the most important game in a decade" for the Minnesota faithful. How embarassing; it's laughable. It's too bad if you're a Gopher student or alumni, because your team was whipped. Minnesota just ain't competitive with the Big Ten's best -- and, as we saw today, the best is MSU. On to football! ES will look at top matchups for Cap One Bowl a little more indepth later tonight... so tune in! Conflicting Interests: Basketball vs Football (2008 Dec 31)--The ES is first and foremost a huge college football fan, and a Spartan fan at that. Thusly, even though we have a huge men's hoops game today at noon between #10 MSU at #21 Minnesota, the ES is still in football mode with our huge matchup in the Capital One Bowl tomorrow. I'm just jacked up for our New Years Day gridiron matchup... but, if you have the time, tune into the Big Ten Network at Noon EST today to see MSU kick some Tubby Smith butt, with the Spartans sans Delvon Roe (ankle injury). The Daily Gopher predicts Minny 74-71. From the Barn predicts Minny 68-62. Ken Pomeroy predicts a 75-72 win by Minny. Hell, even the Lansing State Journal predicts a 75-72 win by Minny. Do we have a chance? Check out Spartans Weblog to find out. The ES figures just when Minny thinks they're up, Sparty will knock them back down: 70-65. Then, back and more importantly into football mode. ES Capital One Bowl Game Day: Can Overachieving MSU Beat Underachieving Georgia?
(2008 Dec 30)--Two days to kickoff! 15,000+ Spartan fans will cheer on the Big Green Machine in Orlando with Mickey Mouse.... can you dig it? Michigan State's defense will have its hands full. Georgia has a GREAT passing game to complement as solid rushing effort. Georgia will score plenty of points against an average MSU defense. If MSU can catch a few breaks, make plays on defense to get some turnovers -- it has a chance. But, this is also asking MSU to outperform Georgia here, to force Matt Stafford into early passes that aren't good. MSU's secondary can make plays and intercept, but they need pressure up front. Conversely, Georgia might have one of the best receiving corps in the nation - thusly, if the Green don't get to Stafford, the Green will get burned. Otis Wiley, you listening? Oh yeah, and that Knowshon Moreno guy. MSU has its hands full, here. Bottom line - watch lots of offense in this game.... but Georgia will win the war of attrition. For complete game day analysis, preview, stats, matchups, injuries, two deeps, etc. visit ES GAME DAY
Gamedays at Biggby Coffee: The Enlightened Spartan Latte (2008 Dec 29)--OK, step aside all you college sports bloggers. How many of you have had a coffee drink named after your blog? Didn't think so. Ha! So, the ES
gets this email from Biggby Coffee Store #241 today: OK, the question the comes to mind is... is that an Irish Coffee???? Seriously, thanks for the props. If there are any bars or breweries out there that are similarly interested for making beer named after the ES website, that would rock... "ESIPA" would be a great pale ale; or "Enlightened Spartan Porter" wouldn't be so bad either... The ES will get into a bit of his "disclaimer" below, but bottom line, we appreciate the SPARTAN SPIRIT. Let's do one better, and take any profits from the sale of said coffee and send it to the Spartan athletics scholarship fund. Maybe we can make Bloomfield Hills Biggby Coffee (1952 S. Telegraph Rd, phone: 248-253-6100) the Spartan coffee capital of the world! In turn, the ES might be able to put an add for the store on the ES website.... however, However, there is something that needs to be dealt with first. Namely, a few years ago, the ES emailed the President of Beaners (Mike McFall) about receiving poor service and product out of a new driveup facility in Lansing - he responded on March 22, 2006. Very nice, he apologized and said he'd reimburse me and send some discounts to make up the error. Problem: The ES never received anything. Thusly, to make a point, the ES spends his money at Starbucks or Speedway instead. ... But, I still encourage other Spartan faithful to try the "ES Latte" on January 1 at the Biggby in Bloomfield Hills.
(2008 Dec 28)--Spartan Athletic Director Mark Hollis did the right thing by restructuring head football coach Mark Dantonio's salary to make it competitive and structured for the long-term with incentives for sticking around. His salary improved to $1.8 million annually, making it fourth-highest in the Big Ten behind Jim Tressel (OSU, $3.5m), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa, $3.4m), and Rich Rod (scUM, $2.5m). It includes a base salary of $618k, but supplemental income of $869k, 100k through apparel, and $200k each year if he is coach on June 30. Also, two excellent additions to the contract: 1) MD gets a $2 million pay check if he is still the coach in 2016; 2) allowing portions of his postseason bonus to be shared with his staff in addition to other staff pay raises. This defines the need for continuity of the whole staff and rewards success. While it is strange the "other" is more than base income, it is the norm these days and the only way colleges can afford keeping coaches at their school while attempting some minimal semblance of integrity within the institutional pay structure. MSU needs to remain competitive... and until coaching salaries come under control via a collective response by institutions and/or faculty (the NCAA is ineffective here) -- or society -- the Spartans need to be a national player in the arms race that is college football, pony up, and reward success. The institutional identity from college football success, and the positive impact on campus/community climate, is too great to pass up. And, it pays off in so many other positive aspects to academics... far more I argue than the negatives. But, the most important thing is this -- it was the right thing to do, and not just because of the success on the playing field. Sure, Dantonio has led MSU to a pair of consecutive winning seasons and bowl games, and a New Years Day bowl for the first time in a decade. And, MSU needs continuity after the revolving door of failure since George Perles left in 1994. Beyond all that, it is the demeanor, contribution, and value set of Dantonio to the Michigan State community. He is unlike the slap-happy personality and lack of discipline from John L Smith; unlike the he's-in-over-his-head and lack of discipline of Bobby Williams; unlike the lack of commitment of Nick Saban... MD was the perfect remedy to a reeling Spartan program at the perfect time. His values are what first come out of his mouth: you can only hope that when you get a coach that first values integrity, good character, discipline, education, and appreciation of others... that hopefully he can ALSO win a few games. It is a roll of the dice, and more often than not in recent years MSU has come up with snakeyes. Prior to Mark Dantonio, MSU paid its dues of sub-mediocrity. One can't be a Spartan alum and not witness the overhaul changes in attitude and behavior, let alone wins and losses, since the Doctor's arrival. It is the proper time to reward success in victories, success in raising the profile and respect of MSU football, and to reward success in values. Congrats to Dantonio and his staff.... now go out there and BEAT GEORGIA! Two Spartans Out For Bowl Game; Ringer gets AP Nod (2008 Dec 22)--After reading the report by the AP, don't be surprised if Spartan starting kick returner Glenn Winston won't be suiting up for the Capitol One Bowl vs. Georgia... this, not after being charged with misdemeanor assault from an October incident (AJ Jimmerson is taking his place on the depth chart). Walk-on defensive back Mitchell White was also involved and similarly charged. They allegedly beat up fellow Spartan hockey player AJ Sturges, who suffered a head injury... Also, congrats to Javon Ringer and a snub to the idiots over at Rivals.com: Ringer was named first team All-America RB by the Associated Press. Kudos to Ringer, who didn't even make Rivals.com top three teams.
A Holiday Gift for the Football Fan (2008 Dec 21)--If you're looking for a last minute stocking stuffer, then look no further: pick up the gorgeous publication by Sports Illustrated: The College Football Book (you'll need a big stocking). It clearly sets the bar as a coffee table collection of the best published photographs from the history of the game, dating back to the late 1800s. Mind you, the ES has a nice collection of football books and historical references. This one is the best pictorial reference book which represents the game, certainly the best since the publication "Football" (both pro and college) from Walter Ioss and Dan Jenkins in 1986. Some of the photos are remarkable - high glossy shots of the 1881 Yale team, of Woody Hayes, Joe Namath, Darrel Royal, and color action shots from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, etc etc. Rain-soaked competition, lightning strikes, stadium fandom, its all covered in its glory. There are really cool photos, diagrams, and discussion of how the equipment changed over the years (who knew the facemask was invented by a guard in 1934 at the University of Hawaii to protect his injured eye? p. 266-7). It is also very cool to see the fans -- what they were wearing, how they are cheering (like the late TD of Illini beating Michigan in 1983). But, being a Spartan, the ES had to plow through and see how many references/photos there were to MSU. To begin, Bubba Smith is recognized in the centerfold as one of SI's Big Men On Campus, greatest college football players of all time. He certainly is the biggest in the centerfold mural -- you can't miss him. MSU is also featured several times (the bloody photo of Pat Gallinagh in 1965, p. 112; DeMario Suggs getting beat on a deep route at Spartan Stadium by ND in 2002, p. 139; MSU featured as an All Decade team in the 1950s, p. 142; MSU vs ND Game of the Century as an Epic Game, p. 184; and, recognition of Tony Mandarich and Bubba Smith on All-Decade teams). There are wonderful articles interspersed throuhgout: an intro by Rick Telander, Frank Deford, Rick Reilly covering JoePa... and maybe the best article, by Dan Jenkins covering the amazing tenure of Dick Butkus at Illinois. There are a couple of special articles: the early years of football at St. Mary's (Calif) and Syracuse's Ernie Davis. The football book intersperses beautiful photos from all the ages in a chronological discussion by the decade -- which is interesting, if a bit confusing (if you are so linear-minded as most of us are). The SI covers each decade with a bit of campus culture, popular things folks were reading or doing, the big games, the best teams and players. If I had any criticism (other than the lack of mention of Michigan State in any article), me being an aficionado of football, it was that the vast majority of the book covered BIG TIME football, and missed college football at the non-big leagues (other than the occasionaly gorgeous photo of, say, the 2006 Bates-Colby mud bash; or, the shot of NAIA title winning Carroll College in the mud in 2007). It would be cool to read about the contribution of OTHERS we don't know as much about (we all know about Woody Hayes, Joe Paterno, Knute Rockne, or Bear Bryant). FYI - the one article that sticks out that the ES did learn something new is "Mr. Inside & Mr. Outside" about Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis playing for a dominant Army team in the 1940s. Still, for $29.95 retail, this book is a BARGAIN (you can get it for $19 from Amazon, but the ES also saw it at Schuler Books, Barnes & Noble, and the Student Book Store here in East Lansing). It is the best photo collection of college football ever made, with contributions from quality writers. GET IT for the Holidays, for an anniversary gift, or just for plain old fun. You will look at it again and again. It's that good. Summers, Walton, ... and, Suton = MSU Victory
(2008 Dec 21)--What was really telling about the bruising victory over Texas yesterday can be shared in three names: Summers, Suton, and Walton. Durell Summers (5-11 FG, 2-5 3pt, 14 pts, 4 rebs) hit the game winner, went sky high over everyone for several late rebounds, and was able to sneak through on an inbound play for a high jam dunk. It was truly remarkable to see MSU high flying over Texas all day long.... something we expected more out of Texas. MSU showed its athleticism all game, led by an amazing performance by Summers. What can't be overstated enough is the amazing defensive effort by Travis Walton (30 minutes), whose role was purely defense - he successfully shadowed and frustrated Texas' offensive star AJ Abrams (3-10 FG, 8 pts) all game long. Abrams was not a factor, thanks to Walton. That said, the seeming key to the success of MSU has been found: Goran Suton. He is the guy who makes big rebounds and just has great hands. Moreover, on offense he truly is a star and owns the low post. Yesterday vs Texas was a perfect example. Suton (26 min, 7-8 FG, 2 rebs, 18 pts) is just 2 weeks removed from knee surgery... he was able to make several nifty moves down low with layups, and even hit a big three pointer. Suton looks more and more like former Spartan AJ Granger every day, with a niftier offense. Bottom line, with Suton in the game, it completely opens up the Spartan offense and allows them to build on their depth in the low post. He seems to be the missing link for MSU. The difference between the Bradley and Citadel ho-hum efforts and the spectacular play at Texas was remarkable, and transformable. Thank you, Mr. Suton. Much will be made of MSU's poor shooting from the charity stripe - 8 of 17 (47%). But look more closely, and it's really Delvon Roe who at 0-6 FTs brought down the average. Without Roe, MSU is 8-11 (73%). Roe is playing great, and had a great game yesterday (2-4 FG, 5 rebs)... but his FT shooting (40-odd% this year) is certainly a liability. We learned a lot about this team on the road, at Texas. Yes, they can be very, very good in what is looking to be a good Big Ten this year. But it all starts with DEFENSE. YES! MSU Bruises #5 Texas with Tough 67-63 Victory (2008 Dec 20)--YESSSSSS!!!! The #19 MSU Spartan men's hoops team we expected to see all year long showed up today, with a 67-63 victory over #5 Texas in Houston. WOW! What a great TEAM effort, with great contributions from Goran Suton, Kalin Lucas, Delvon Roe, Raymar Morgan... and a career game out of Darrell Summers who hit the game winning shot. MSU had STIFLING, tough, brusing, elbow popping defense all game long and DESERVED to win with a gritty effort, looking like bare-knuckle Izzo defense of yesteryear. Even the score, 67-63, is reminiscent of days of old. Gorgeous. That's right Big Ten. Watch out. We're baaaack! It's BOWL SEASON: ES picks. Oh Yeah, that Texas Hoops Thing (2008 Dec 20)--The ES is fired up today as the 2009 bowl season officially is underway with four illustrious games: the Eagle Bank Bowl (Wake Forest vs Navy, 11 am, ESPN); New Mexico Bowl (Fresno St vs Colorado St, 2:30 pm, ESPN); St Pete Bowl (Memphis vs South Fla, 4:30 pm, ESPN2); Las Vegas Bowl (BYU vs Arizona, 8 pm, ESPN). Here is the ES' bowl sheet entry over at Yahoo Sports, with his confidence picks... I went ahead and copied it below for you hyperlink-challenged folk. Note MSU over Georgia, barely - with only 4 confidence pts. Bowls are
in order for most (34 points) to least confident (1 point). ES picks with
*BOLD It looks as if the nearly 11,000 ticket allotment to Michigan State for the Capital One bowl is sold out. HOOOPS VS TEXAS: And, by the way... if football isn't your thing (why are you at this website), but prefer to see Spartan hoops in action, #19 Michigan State will face off at #5 Texas today, at 2 pm. Check it out on CBS. Doctor, Spartans Receive Major Verbal Commits from LB, DE. MSU at #14 in Recruiting (2008 Dec 19)--If you're bottom line is the skinny on MSU football recruiting -- then today is your day. The Detroit Free Press certainly was impressed. The Big Green snagged Jeremy Gainer out of Livonia Clarenceville, a 6-2 215-lb linebacker who also considered Minny, Cinci, Colorado, Indy, and other smaller schools. He is considered one of the best players in Michigan and one of the best 'backers in the nation (Rivals gives him 4 shiny colored stars). The kid has a good GPA as well, with a 3.2 that should serve him will in college. But, it seems this guy can play any position, any time: in a game vs Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard this fall, Gainer was asked to play QB and led his squad on a 94-yard scoring drive... typically, he is used as a receiver and running back on offense, and linebacker on defense. Earlier this week, the team received a verbal commitment from Corey Freeman, a 6-3, 235-lb DE from Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Freeman also considered NC, NC State, West Virginia, Cinci, and Colorado. Notably, Freeman will enroll for spring ball, to be joined by fellow recruit Donald Spencer of Ypsilanti. On the board: uncommitted tight end Dion Sims of Orchard Lake Saint Mary's. He's also a major hoops star and has been talking to Tom Izzo about suiting up on the hardwood as well... but he is a MAJOR talent that would play football first. Sims is considered the 7th best TE in the nation by Rivals and he is reportedly also strongly considering Miami-FL, Ohio State. More news to come, but these are big gets for Doctor MD in what is turning out to be the best recruiting year since Nick Saban was coach here. At this point, MSU is listed as #14 in the nation by Rivals.com - LSU #1, Ohio St #2, Texas #3, USC #4, 'Bama #5, North Carolina #6, scUM #7, South Carolina #8, Fla St #9, Ga #10, Oklahoma #11, ND #12, Miami #13... Penn St #17, Illinois #22, Minny #31, Wisky #36, Indy #51, NW #56, Purdue #69. Izzo, Spartans Fool Pundits with 79-65 Sandbag over Citadel
(2008 Dec 17)--Well, if you were sandbagging many of us, coach Izzo, I think you tried too hard tonight -- but I LOVE the effort. Tom Izzo pulled arguably one of the greatest coaching feats of his tenure in anticipation of playing at #5 Texas with a tune up, 79-65 victory against #348 The Citadel this evening. The ES was particularly impressed with the acting performance by senior Travis "Butterfingers" Walton (5 tos, 0 pts), who displayed a convincing, uncanning lack of focus with stupid bounce pass-turnovers throughout the game vs the Cadets. What was truly unique by Izzo was his ability to take Kalin Lucas (7 pts, 8 asts) out of the game and make him ineffective defensively -- a brilliant move that will surely catch Texas by surprise on Saturday. The lack of defensive aggression against the Citadel three (10-25 by the Cadets) was a brilliant tactict by coach Izzo. And, the early second half demonstrated an interesting, "stand around, do-nothing" defensive philosophy that will surely pay dividends as the season progresses. No matter how hard Izzo tried, however, he couldn't stop the inside dominance by Delvon Roe (10 pts, 7 rebs, 4 stls) and Raymar Morgan (26 pts, 10 rebs)... something we hope Texas will overlook and something Izzo will need to correct if he is to successfully fulfill his sandbagging scheme. By the way, LOVE the use of Marquise Gray (8 pts, 2 rebs). He looked great, and as usual will disappear with good competition on the horizon Saturday vs. Texas. That's the way to make the other team waste time practicing against a useless target! In all, the ES would give coach Izzo high grades for a solid coaching effort, purposefully dragging down this Spartan team in anticipation of greater competition down the road. It is much too early to tip your hat, right coach? Jesse Palmer Gives MSU Zero Chance vs Georgia; Charges from October Incident to Be Filed (2008 Dec 16)--Note to Mark Dantonio: Just stay at Disney World. You have no reason to head over to the Citrus Bowl to play in the Capitol One Classic vs. Georgia. At least that's the case if you believe Jesse Palmer, the neophyte addition to ESPN Game Day Crew for 2008. As the ES wuz watching the "ESPN Bowl Picks" special last night, waiting and waiting until the last... final... minute, when Palmer picked Georgia over MSU as his most confident pick of the 34 bowls. Matter of fact, the only love given to the Big Ten by the crew in any of the bowls was from one of the commentators (don't ask me his name, never seen him before) who picked JoePa over USC: "I just want him to win this BCS game and then go into retirement." That's why they play the games. OCTOBER FISTICUFFS: And, according to the LSJ's Joe Rexrode, Ingham County prosecutor Stuart Dunnings will file charges vs football and/or hockey players for October off-field incidents. Folks, you can expect that any team-based discipline has already been handled internally. Has Dunnings filed similar charges for non-athlete behavior on campus this fall? It is worth a look. The Capitol One Consolation Prize: Georgia Blogs Speak Out... Spartan Future: Nichol Getting Reps (2008 Dec 15)--Reading the blogs from the Georgia faithful, you'd have thunk that the Bulldogs should have turned down the invite to the Capitol One Bowl and just stayed home. The Bulldawg fandom sees 2008 nothing short of a disaster and fingerpointing left and right for blame. Um, 9-3 ain't all bad last I saw... Maybe it was just Georgia had the toughest schedule in the country, with its three toughest games (all losses) ON THE ROAD? What do the Georgia blogs say... Dawg Sports is already looking forward to the baseball season, giving 2008 football a long seee-ya: "representing the difference between the 2008 football season being a mitigated disaster and an absolute one." Bulldogs Blog points blame for 2008 at "off-the field transgressions [which] reveal just how much of a rift there was in terms of focus betwen the team's leaders and the rest of the locker room." Georgia Sports Blog wants Georgia to be measured to Florida (fair enough): "entire issue as I see it with our football program is simply one of expectations and accountability. Does Richt consistently expect enough from his coaches and players? Again, the scheduling Gods have as much to blame as anything this year for Georgia... and expectations were set far too high by the Dawg Nation in retrospect. Finally, it's great to see the potential starting Spartan QB Keith Nichol getting added reps this fall, as he leads the scout team pretending to be Georgia QB Matt Stafford. He'll duke it out with current backup Kirk Cousins to lead MSU next year... but it is interesting to note that just last year Nichol was in hot competition for the Oklahoma starting job with current Heisman winner Sam Bradford. And, current Spartan QB Brian Hoyer said that both Nichol and Cousins are similarly talented, but "Keith may be a little faster." 15 extra practice days for the bowl will go a long way to our QB for the future, be it Cousins or Nichol.
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Dantonio's
New Structured, Competitive Deal Right For MSU
