Is anyone out there experiencing the roller coaster ride Michigan State basketball is providing? I don't know about you but I use to get excited about watching MSU play and they were always entertaining and fun to watch....not anymore........this team is painful to watch. It is so surprising to me that there are so many glaring weaknesses to this team this year. They started out the preseason as the number two ranked team in the country and before the start of last night's game were no longer in the top 25. The issues that I see are uncharacteristic of Izzo teams and many. Complete lack of inside presence, board strength and mental toughness down low, the backbone of this team typically. No identifiable chemistry on this team - Izzo is still searching for that right combination....even though he has tried a ton up to this point. No leadership. Kalin Lucas, who I absolutely have been singing the praises of since he walked onto the campus in East Lansing, is not the same player......noticeable not the same player. His leadership has been silent, his attacking to the hole and creating off the dribble has disappeared from his game and he has lost that quick first step and speed. Just not the same player. Then you have some players that are just not playing up to their ability consistently (Roe, Appling, Lucious, Payne - to name a few). Oh, if it was not for Draymond Green - who is the HEART of this team, MSU would have experienced their 7th loss of the season at just the start of the Big Ten Season. For all intents and purposes, they should have lost last night. For the last 3 minutes they found that old tenancy and will to win that we have seen so much in the past. That win in OT over #22 Wisconsin, was HUGE. If they would have lost that game at home - I think they would have never recovered. Lets hope they can take this win and build off it but it I think the road ahead will be as winding as the Red Cedar River banks.
By the way....Did anyone notice the "Chucky" Gruden look alike referee in that game.
Staying with College hoops for a minute.
Have a feeling that my Syracuse Orangemen will be tested tonight at St. John's. Don't know why but don't have a good feeling about this game.
Watched the replay of the USC-UCLA game the other night and Pookie Jones (Saginaw Arthur Hill) is so much fun to watch. At 5'5", not 5'7 or 5'8 as they mention, is just on another level with that ball in his hands when he wants to turn it up a notch. As a freshman, he plays way above that level. This kid can not relate to fear or intimidation. He had either 9 or 11 in the game on a very limited shot selection. He had 1 turnover and basically played the entire game and handles the rock at the point position. Next time USC is on late night, tape it, it is fun to watch him play.
San Diego State at #6 in the rankings is not getting any national attention...at least not for basketball. With Hoke (SDS x-football coach) going to Michigan to be head coach of the football team all the attention has been on him. Meanwhile the hoop team, coached by another Michigan guy, Steve Fisher, is off to a 15-0 start. They have arguably two of the best forward combinations on any team. 6'9" Senior Malcolm Thomas and 6'7" Sophomore Kawhi Leonard are the leading scorers and rebounders on this team and provide a strong 1-2 punch down low. They should get tested tonight though by a revamped and resurgent UNLV team.
Kentucky basketball is better than there #15 ranking
Pitt - Georgetown game tonight should be a good one. Pitt is the better and stronger team but they have had problems with G'Town in DC. With the schedule Gods and weather hitting the east coast, this could be Georgetown's night tonight.
Ohio State - Michigan tonight at Crisler. We will see if Michigan can hang tough with them like they did Kansas. My guess is that they will hang for a bit but Ohio State is too deep, talented and versatile - Ohio State by 19 is my call.
Got to Run - but will post my High School portion later tonight.
Your Basketball SNOB
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