The Spartans sent a message to every so called Basketball analyst who forgot to rank the Spartans in the Top 25.
The message is…Tom Izzo is still coaching in East Lansing…and the story line is the Spartans beat the previously unbeaten Hoosiers 80-65. Yep, the same Hoosiers who previously beat #1 Kentucky. It’s amazing isn’t it? Tom Izzo has been to 42 Final Fours in the past 15 years (minor embellishment) and yet the so called experts overlooked the Spartans as if Izzo was an unknown.
In reality, Izzo has 14 consecutive NCAA appearances including 6 Final Fours and a National title and yet…because the Spartans had an ‘off year’ last year (17-13 overall…9-9 Big Ten)…due to an avalanche of unusual off court issues…the so called experts made a determination that the Spartan program had run off the rails and wasn’t deserving of a Top 25 ranking. Really? It’s a perfect reminder…don’t listen to the so called experts because they don’t know a Basketball (or Football) from a Bocce Ball.
Anyhow, the Spartans are 12-2…they have won 12 consecutive games and manhandled a resurgent Hoosier team 80-65. Let’s take a look at the stats:
8 players logged double digit minutes…while the two Bigs (Nix & Payne) got 22 points and 7 boards…Appling got 25 from the point and 7 assists…Brandon Wood (Sr Transfer) got 13 points and two blocks… and Draymond Green got 11 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks. Bottom line…the Spartans outshot the Hoosiers 55% to 42%...won the battle of the boards 33 to 31…had 6 Blocks…and 17 points from the stripe! Not a bad day at the office!
I wrote this memo prior to the game:
In terms of an early season measuring stick…I am interested to see how the Spartans fare vs Indiana tonight. Prior to the last two (non conference) games I predicted the Spartans would finish #3 in the Big Ten but now…now I’m prepared to tweak my assessment and elevate the Spartans to…let’s just say…north of #3.
In my opinion, the character and chemistry that were missing last year have resurfaced in profusion. Moreover, Branden Dawson (Freshman); Travis Trice (Freshman); Brandon Wood (Sr transfer) are finding a comfort level and add a unique level of athleticism and character. I like this team…a lot. This team is vastly improved over the Spartan team that commenced the season on the USS Carl Vinson.
I will withhold my prediction until after the game but…if the Spartans perform like I anticipate…then I think the sky is the limit.
OK…the game is over…and the Spartans did exactly what I thought they would do…the Spartans dominated Indiana. The Spartans built an 18 point lead in the first half…then Indiana whittled away at the lead and eventually the Spartans fell behind by 9 points early in the second half…but the Spartans regained their composure…and with a trademark Defensive effort…the Spartans dominated the last 10 minutes of the game and beat Indiana by 15 points!
The season is young but you heard it here first…barring unforeseen injuries…the Spartans are headed for a remarkable season!!!
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