It was interesting to note the following line in today's Detroit Free Press by sports columnist Drew Sharp: They’re a “pretty boy” outfit. They’re strictly a perimeter team. If the threes fall, they’re dangerous. But they have no offensive contingencies when the jump shots aren’t falling. Michigan State proved equally effective from the perimeter as it was in the low post.The notion that they are "pretty boy jump shooters" is an exaggeration. Now currently yes they are playing that way but this team right now is playing different than to the start of the season. Michigan was attacking inside and outside, taking advantage in transition, playing great in the halfcourt. Big part of their struggles is Glenn Robinson is just lost out there right now, his body language is bad, he's strong arming shots. Something in his development isn't working, at least that's my opinion.
2) The refs let the Spartans push us around!Cleanly officiated game, but you're right the Spartans did push the Wolverines to ground and they beat them into submission. No open shots, nothin, the opportunities to attack the basket were there, Michigan's players definitely have the skill set to do so, but not the mind set. Look forward to seeing how this season ends for both teams would love to see 3 teams in the Final 4.
3) The Spartans wouldn't let us take open shots!
Now currently yes they are playing that way but this team right now is playing different than to the start of the season. Michigan was attacking inside and outside, taking advantage in transition, playing great in the halfcourt.Why is this? Is it possible the teams played have something to do with it?
of course the competition plays a big factor but they had some quality opponents in non-conference play (Pitt, Kansas St. North Carolina State)
like I said their struggles are because they are young, not lack of talent, not lack of ability, Glenn Robinson has been in a funk and the rest of the guys have been just fallin in love with the 3ball, these are guys that can all attack the basket and do it quite well
They are a weak team right now, coaching has to get on them and this whoopin Michigan State laid down should be enough for them to realize how soft they are. I've said I love both teams, Michigan needs to wake up and realize that they have a golden opportunity to make a Final 4 run. Michigan State could even be better, no Travis Trice, Adrien Payne can be MSU's best player and he had a below average performance to say the least. They get Mr. Basketball Matt Costello (Bay City Western) going the frontcourt will solidify itself as the best in the country.
They are a weak team right now, coaching has to get on them and this whoopin Michigan State laid down should be enough for them to realize how soft they are.I don't think they're weak, I think UM is a very talented team, just not to the level to which the pundits have elevated them. I wouldn't be surprised if they beat the Spartans in the return match. What I believe is that they play a style more suited to the Big East than the B1G and you have to place the blame for that on the coach. You can teach defense, rebounding and blocking out but it takes work and time and you may lose games early on while it comes together, but it can pay off over the course of a season. Beilein had jump shooting seven footers at WV and he's tried to port that over to the B1G. It may work against the leagues lower tier but the good coaches figure it out over time.
Michigan better concentrate on PSU before they think about Sparty.
ps...heard the lake levels are way down this year...you have a swing keel on that boat of yours?Yes, the "Starkeeper" has a swing keel, thank heavens, . . . the lake levels are VERY low. We have a lot of snow in northern Michigan but not much ice on the lake--the temperatures have been too warm. All that aside, though, I've always liked the swing keel because I could run the boat right up to the beach (or nearly--the water only needs to be two feet deep, which is pretty good for a twenty-five footer) and not have to use the dinghy that much. Also, I can moor this boat just about anywhere. On a side note . . . I actually thought about having some refurbishing work done on the boat this winter but decided to hold off a bit. It's in really good shape but not as pretty as she once was.
