Boy was it ever obvious last night that the Michigan State basketball team has a long way to go. It was equally obvious that Texas had way more talent on that floor. The usual tough, rebounding mantra that State has traditionally carried is just not there this year. Delvin Roe played harder than he has all year but could not finish at the rim. Someone with that physique and upper body strength has to get it done from within 5 feet. They are really missing a down low presence that can board. They have turned into a finese and perimeter shooting team and they will struggle more with the players they have on the floor. I was sick watching them get beat down the court on breaks including giving up a layup off one of their baskets. They looked like they quit out there and that has NEVER been a trademark of Izzo teams. Texas clearly had the size, speed (which surprised me) better athletes and better freshman. Although State is 1-4 against ranked teams this year with the way they are playing against quality teams and the 8-4 record - they are not deserving of a top 25 ranking. They have a lot to prove to this viewer.
Syracuse is proving to me that they are legit top 5 in country. They are now starting to gel and the triple J's (Jackson, Jardine, Joseph) all came up big last night in a blowout of a surprisingly good Drexel team, 93-65. Jackson had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Joseph and Jardine had 25 and 21 respectively. Triche kicked in with 12 and if Triche returns to his early season freshman year form, this team will do well in the toughest conference in all of basketball.
The Baylor Bears are out of hibernation and looking to strike fear and recognition in the land. There stock is rising and they are finally bringing a good story to Waco Texas. As of today they were 9-1 and have added a strong freshman big man (Perry Jones III) who at 6-11 gives them two big men (Anthony Jones - 6'10) that are difficult to match up against. This starting five (Dunn, Walton (guards) and Acy make this a team that belongs among the other top teams (Kansas, KState and Missouri) in the Big 12 and could be a conference contender for some time to come.
Doren Lamb (Kentucky) set a Kentucky freshman scoring record by hitting for 32 points in their route of Winthrop. He beat the previous record that was set by fellow freshman teammate Terrance Jones a week ago with 29 points. lamb was 11-12 for the field and 7-8 from three point land and was nothing but net all night. Unbelievable performance. One would think that Callipari and Kentucky are dealing Heroin (pronounced Hair-On in the streets) aka the Devil's Candy in Lexington because they keep drawing all the talent night after night and year after year and no matter what they keep coming back to the Kentucky Blue. He has had the number 1 rated recruiting class three years in a row and 2011 is no different. He has nailed down 4 of the top 25 players in the country. #2 rated Marques Teague, #3 Michael Gilchrist, #6 Anthony Davis & #25 Kyle Wiltjer. This is a dream team recruiting class. The rich just keep getting richer in the Bluegrass backyard.
High school updates coming next.
Your Basketball SNOB
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