Well, let it begin! What a way to start off the Big Ten season. Last year's Big Ten Champion and National Runner Up (currently #6) versus This year's Big Ten Preseason Favorite and last year's Regional Champion (currently #7)! It doesn't get any better than this.

This game is absolutely HUGE putting the winner in the early driver's seat. I think Michigan State is the better team by far, but the momentum of starting off well and being at home will drive the Illini.

I believe this will be the first time we actually see Dee Brown frustrated in Big Ten play. I don't think Brown's teammates will be able to keep up with the pace Ager and Brown set. I believe Shannon Brown will be the player of the night and could be a key in stopping Dee Brown. I look for Davis to dominate Augustine as well, causing further problems for the Illini. The Illini will get some runs though and it will probably be pretty close. But, in the end I see the Spartans having too much talent for the Illini.

The only jersey that will be popped on Thursday will have STATE acrossed the front of it. This is OUR year Dee, peace out!

We will win in Overtime, only because we are in Illi, when they come here, we will blow them out.

I have to admit that I'm a bit concerned about the Brown/Neitzel matchup. It's just that I do NOT want Dee scorching us at the start of the game and getting all of that momentum immediately on their side. I know Travis can and will do a solid job of checking him but the offense just runs a lot better under the guidance of Drew.

I also know that there's a chance that Drew guards someone else like McBride or that we come out in a zone....but my trepidation remains. Assembly Hall is just not an easy venue to play at. I believe they have the second longest home winning streak in the nation.

If State can survive the first five minutes without Dee, McBride and Smith going crazy bombing threes, jumping to a quick lead and setting the tone early...MSU will win this game. How our guys respond immediately following the jump ball will be crucial...Illinois is going to be as jacked as they've been all season.

damn that's a nice av Jack. I think MSU wins this one in the final minute thanks to Ager.

damn that's a nice av Jack. I think MSU wins this one in the final minute thanks to that avatar.

quote fixed

Illinois is kindof like Duke in that they tend to start off very fast. So I'm with you on that. That momentum can only take you so far though. Illinois is going to rely heavily on freshman and those freshman haven't seen anybody of State's calibur yet.

If State is the team that jumps out early, it's over. Illinois needs to keep that false sense of confidence going. I say false because they haven't really played anybody so I believe they are starting to think they are better than they actually are. (UNC is pretty much a hs team this year in terms of experience)

I hope Davis gets Augustine in foul trouble early. I'm looking forward to checking out two things.
1) Does State go into Davis early and often?
2) Who checks Dee Brown?

Those who are of the opinion that Illinois' outstanding defense will make this game a low scoring affair are kidding themselves. This game will be just the opposite with both teams scoring over 70 points.

The reasons being twofold:

1) MSU is just not a good defensive team yet, and

2) Brown, Ager and Davis will be the THREE best offensive players that Illinois has faced yet this year

2) Who checks Dee Brown?

If State doesn't zone up and goes man to man, I think the defensive assignments will be as follows...

Shannon on Dee
Neitzel on McBride
Ager on Randle
Davis on Augie
Gray on (Arnold or Carter)

The only area that is subject to change IMO is in the post. Izzo might not want to risk Davis getting into any foul trouble and in turn switch up the defensive post assignments and keep rotating fresh bodies (Rowley, Suton, Trannon, Gray, and the occasional dash of Davis) on Augustine.

I agree with your defensive assignments. I love Shannon on tough guards. His quickness and attitude allows him to D up pretty much anybody. It's the dumb fouls that get him in trouble.

BTW, Jack I pause everytime I scroll down and see your avatar. Still not over it. haha

Illinois has not seen a team of State's caliber yet. Shannon will harass Dee all night long and Davis will outplay Augustine. State wins by about 6 and rolls into the top 5. Shit. :x

Are we on ESPN?

Dee Fucking Brown is going to be a headache, he is 6-8 from 3 land in the FIRST HALF, JESUS.

I still say we win in OT, we just have to turn up the defensive pressure.

Should we start it? State can't win the big one? Just checking. (Tre's face is going to get red-hot when he sees this at school tomorrow. I feel bad for the first little kid that does something wrong after that)

Jethro is right MSU just chokes time after time, when will they learn to win. This coming from an MSU student no less. They just gotta suck it up

well what do you expect when their best player scores 56% of their teams points? I thought State played a DECENT game but Dee Brown was just unconscious from 3. Many of those shots were contested all the way to the end. I really liked how Illinois played D on the MSU pick and roll which really disrupted the offense. I kept waiting for Dee Brown to cool off and for Shannon and Maurice to heat up but it never happened. Credit the Illinois for being ready at the tip and playing hard for 40 minutes. I dont think I would want to be at the MSU practice today. You might need some earplugs.

that game sucked to watch. they hit everything (with pretty good defense on them too).

BTW, was that the most quiet big crowd you've every seen? there were a few moments they got lowd, but %90 of the game it was silent.

I was shocked at how quiet it was. Especially because they had so many damn idiots in orange there.

I dont know if it is me but everytime I watch MSU play I always walk away saying to myself...what the fuck is the big deal with these guys?

Illinois is still on winter break so they really didnt have a strong student section. I kept saying the same thing though. My friend, who is a known bullshitter, thinks that the ESPN truck minimized the sound so that the announcers could be heard.

Absolutely sickening. Outplayed, nobody showed up, seniors and juniors versus freshmen and we can't dominate, we looked like the young team, and a rare occurance-OUT COACHED. PUKE

Absolutely sickening. Outplayed, nobody showed up, seniors and juniors versus freshmen and we can't dominate, we looked like the young team, and a rare occurance-OUT COACHED. PUKE

Interesting...especially after that practice you attended... ... ...

I know it. Didn't expect this performance at all. I was disappointed in Izzo running the same offensive set that was leading them into high pick and rolls and eventually double teams that they couldn't get out of.

In addition, why wasn't Davis getting the ball and why weren't we running?

We should beat Wisc. tomorow.