This could probably go in the MSU basketball thread, but this is a different topic. Sure it's basketball and we can catch fire quickly, but this team obviously has problems playing in big games. these guys are reminding me of UM football this year. I thought coming into this season, we were more wise with Davis, Trannon, and Ager being seniors and all. There's just something wrong with us. That being said, I still say we are final four contenders if we shape up, if not I say the farthest we will get is the sweet 16.

My answer....NO FREAKING CLUE!

I don't think they have a problem playing in "big games." State has won 3 games this year when their opponent was ranked in the Top 10. They also won a game in Columbus that was do or die. I do think they have problems with half court offense and now apparantly defense as well.

But, I have to stay loyal. Izzo has proved to me too many times that he will put the ship in the right direction come March. So I will try to keep my faith.

If the realize that they can force feed Davis all night, final 4. If Ager/Brown/Nietzel keep thinking they should play outside-in...sweet 16.

Drew Neitzel pisses the shit off of me. He's a fucking retard. Any one see that shot he put up last night from like 36 feet? Tom Izzo got so pissed off. He never passes to davis, makes dumb ass passes, he reminds me of a poor mans Carlos Arroyo. Ager has been struggling. I remember when he used to step up in games like those. Davis and Brown are playing excellent.

What happened to Mo Ager? He might be the single biggest reason for MSU's struggles. In addition, does everyone remember how great Sutton was playing early in the year on offense? Well, at the practice I attended, Izzo was just ripping Suttona new one. I understand why, because he needs to get tougher. But, I think that it has killed his confidence and we now lost a viable offensive option.

Now, we are stuck playing Trannon and Rowley for extended minutes and that puts us in a 4 on 5 situation. I LOVE Trannon, but he's more of a 20 minute guy. Not a starter in my opinion.

Remember how great our offense was against Gonzaga and Arizona? That was when Sutton was playing good minutes and scoring on offense.

I remember Sutton missing the GW lay up against Gonzaga. Man he must have been shitting in his pants. Tom Izzo I don't think likes freshman or playing them. Actually I don't think any college coaches like to play freshman unless they have no one else at the position.

Izzo is notorious for being harsh on his freshman. He wants 4 year players and hes tough on them so they develop toughness back. Look at Davis. He was a giant POOSAY his first 2.5 years and has really come on strong over the latest.

Now if everyone on the team could just see that and get him the effing ball.

I agree with being tough on them to toughen them up for the long haul. But, completely losing Sutton's offense is killing us.

Ager is interesting. I checked the stats on his scoring. He averaged 22 per game before the Big Ten season started. He's averaging 14.1 since then. That a big drop off. Over a third of his scoring. But I stick with what I said in another thread. While he's backing his way out of ANY All-American consideration, Michigan would still trade almost anyone on their squad for him. Shannon has obviously tried to pick up the slack and he's impressed me in that way, but they have to keep going to Mo and get him out of this if they're going to try and get another "Regional Championship" this year.

Man, if we can play in the tournament like we do at home...it wil be a great tourney. So much depends on seeding though! Hopefully we get a good bracket and we can make another memorable run!

Go State!

We had a shitty braket last year. Duke, Kentucky, I think we had Texas in our bracket too. But we won that regional. Hopefully we can do it again.

When I say Shitty, I mean hard to play in.

http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/mens/brackets/


Click on Austin.