The Spartan Men's Basketball squad hit 5 three pointers in roughly a 2 minute stretch to take a 29-20 lead and did enough to hold the lead and capture their 3 Big Ten win and run the streak at the Breslin Center to 26 wins, the last defeat coming at the hands of OSU nearly two years ago.Overall, I think the effort was adequate, but the team lacked energy, and I'm really tired of seeing them shoot so badly from the stripe.What is so dang difficult shooting free throws.I am hardly an athlete, but I personally have hit 18 or more in a row before.Rhythm,rhythm,rhythm and a little bit of form.That's all there is to it.Suton had 9 points and 9 reebs or so, with Raymar Morgan adding a dubba dub.Kalin Lucas is working on becoming my fave player.Speed, smarts, skills, he's the whole enchilada.Could be a little bigger, but hey...hes good.OSU really needs Lighty on the floor and not on crutches or wearing a boot for that broken foot.B.J. Mullens is becoming on of my fave league players also.I think he will really contribute and do good things for OSU, as long as he stays.NO SENIORS on the floor for OSU.I think it sucks college athletics in some cases has become a revolving door to the pros.67-58 final score good for a 1/2 game lead on the stinking Badgers.Wisco will be a spot in the rearview soon enough I think(hope more like it).Michigan State(8) now rests for Conflicto Grande with Kansas.It oughta be a real track meet.
Item #2 for tonight is Penn State.Boy , those guys just never know when to say die, do they?Of course Purdont(14) didnt have Robbie Hummel or Chris Cramer due to injury, but considering PennState at one point had like a 18 point lead or something, with 3.5 minutes to go, makes you wonder if the Boilers would have done any better with them on the floor.Purdue(14) is now 0-2 to start league play and according to ESPN, they ended play 3-13 the last time that happened.It wont happen this time, I assure you.Moore chipped in 22 points or so, but it wasn't good enough.Penn State hung on scoring three more to outlast the Boilers 67-64.Statistically, Purdue(14) outclassed PennState in shooting, but committed 9 more fouls.In an upset victory over my Spartans(8) last year, PennState went to the line on 54 fouls compared to 18 by MSU.We lost...they flooded the floor.Penn State 2-1 in league now.First time that's happened in ... well...ever I think.Up next, the multiple ways I feel my boss is a douche bag........
just kidding..I love that guy.Hes a tyrant the likes that would make Napoleon blush.I wanna give him hugs.The kind where you face turn all red and you middle makes a crackling noise.Cawy like giving hugs.Hugs are good...again..that was a joke people.I never advocate work place violence.I'm just not a meanie pants.I do like giving hugs though.Not the awkward ass-out variety either.I latch right on like pneumonia.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Back from the dead?
Hello everyone, I have returned from a lengthly hiatus.This hiatus included several events.I was laid off from the job, so job seeking was involved and I had an interesting interview with some very important men regarding a very nasty situation I had been a victim to(no elaborations),a family meltdown,and it all started smelling better by Christmas time, and here we are.Now on to more important things, like a brand new year with new enthusiam and Big 10 roundball to start.
The green and white really come back strong from the humiliating loss to #1 North Carolina. League play has began and here's where we are:
Michigan State 2-0 (11-2) 7 wins consec.
Wisconsin 2-0 (11-3) 2 wins consec.
Illinois 1-1 (13-2)
Minnesota 1-1 (13-1)
Ohio State 1-1 (10-2)
Penn State 1-1 (12-3)
Iowa 1-1 (11-4)
The Great Satan 0-1 (11-3)
U of M 0-1 (10-3)
Indiana 0-1 (5-8) 4 loss consec.
Northwestern 0-2 (8-4) 2 loss consec.
Michigan State is off to another fine start with losses coming to Maryland and North Carolina.Key win so far being a road win against Texas in Houston.MSU opened league play with a solid performance in Minnesota giving the 'Phers their first loss of the season.MSU very methodically took apart Minnesota, with unselfish play and less than impressive shooting from the line.Credit to Tubby for calling TO's with the skill of a master chess player, but overall I feell Minnesota had no answer for Kalin Lucas and the value of the return of Goran Suton cant be overstated.In addition, Minnesota really gathered no help from the bench.Northwestern played tough for 1/2 of Saturdays game at Northwestern,but they quickly succumbed to the depth of the MSU bench, and the continued outstanding play of Summers,Allen,Lucas and Walton.Up next for the meat grinder is OSU on Tuesday at the Breslin.This will be our 5th home game this year, so OSU could be in the deep end of the pool with no floaties and sleeping parents.
Wisconsin.Smoke and mirrors, or a really well coached team of overacheivers?Scoring for Bucky's boys has come from Landry,Hughes(cool name), and Bohanon (looks like he's 12 years old,plays much older) with Krabenhoft and Nankivil chipping in.Bo Ryan almost has me convinced he is just that good a coach and recruiter.If it wasnt for the fact the Wisco had not had a 20 win season for 200 years or so before he arrived, I might feel differant.Wisco really only faced two quality teams and dropped both the games (Marquette and Texas).With a "upset" win at Michigan and a home squeaker win against Penn State, I think Wisco might have a rude awakening coming in the form of Purdue(The Great Satan) and Minnesota, with the only redemption coming from playing 'Sota at home.Jury is out, but I think Bucky and Bo will come crashing back to reality soon.
Illinois gathers scoring and production from 4 talented guys,Davis,McCamey,Meacham and Tisdale.Illinois is decent in rebounding and free throws and looks like a winner.I wont speculate on depth of post season play, but a trip to the dance should be expected for the Illini.A close loss to Clemson was a bit shocking to me, but the win at Purdue to open lit the candle of hope.That was quickly snuffed out by an embarassing loss to Michigan,yes Michigan, at Breslin East(formerly Crisler Arena).Illinois next 3 games include Indiana,Michigan again, and MSU at the Breslin Center on the 17th.3-0 best case, 1-2 probably reality.UM has a knack at gettng under the skin of some opponents, and I feel UM has got a shot at defeating Illinois again.Dont ask me why, I just feel it.
Minnesota gathered some good wins defeating Louisville and Virginia, and really has smoked all the teams they should have beaten.Good signs.They also got the job done against Ohio State.Hoffarber,Johnson,and Larry Westbrook are the studs for the 'Phers, but I have to say, almost the entire team has meaningful statistical averages, indicating Master Tubby is using all the weapons in the arsenal AND planting the seeds of experience to reap success in the future.The loss to MSU was a real let down and you could see it on all the faces at the Barn, however, the 'Phers showed some heart by stepping up and playing a highly emotional game against OSU that payed off.Next up is Iowa on the road.A difficult game possibly, if Iowa decides to show up.
Ohio State at 10-2 looks like a winner, but is it just a case of beer goggles? OSU did the 10 proud by smacking Miami(Fla.) in the challenge then edged a fair Notre Dame team only to get squished by West Va.This team obviously is suffering from losing 3 or so players to the NBA draft after short stays in Columbus and Anthony Crater bailing out doesnt help any.Not good.Thad Matta has gone from the coach I dislike the most to one I respect by winning when the odds are stacked against OSU.A close opening win against a hapless Iowa squad and the 9 point loss at Minnesota makes this team a last call sweetheart, or the best looking one left you could score with after a very long night at Lucky's.Scoring for OSU has been the task for Turner and Diebler, but again, like the Gophers, scoring and meaningful stats are present for the rest of the team.Thats good news.The bad news is this, OSU plays at the Breslin Center next.Unless the clouds part and the sun beams down on OSU, they will fall to Sparty,and it could be nasty.On the bright side, OSU will face Houston Baptist(church league) then go to hated rival Michigan to face a real 2 man show.Both W's I predict.
Penn State.What is there to say about Penn State, other than "you got whupped by USC also".Oh yeah, thats football....lets just let that go for now.With the only decent win coming against Georgia Tech followed by a solid defeat to Temple, Penn State is a mid to lower level team in the NCAA picture.A league opening win against Northwestern was nice, but 4 point loss AT Wisconsin almost looks better, or would if Wisco wasnt the David Copperfield of the Big Ten.Glowing from the upset victory over my spartans last year, I see no such possibility again, unless teams defeat themselves allowing the Lions to capitalize.Next up for PSU is Purdue at home.Bad things.The work load for PSU is bourne by Talor Battle(a real star),Jamelle Cornely and Stanley Pringle.All three shoot 3 point field goals REALLY well, and have solid skills, but they really dont get much help.Scoring dramatically drops off to less than a drip down the bench and the Lions have a issue with turnovers to assists.Dont expect much from PSU, just wait for the results of Joe Pa's hip replacement and look forward to next Football season.
Iowa averaging a paltry 64.5 points per game is lucky to be 11-4.With no real head turning wins and a real smackdown at the hands of Drake, Iowa doesnt impress.Scoring and rebounding are spread around ok, but this team lacks motivation, or at least they look that way.The opening loss to Ohio State looks like a real workmans effort compared to the struggle they put up against a VERY weak Indiana squad.Iowa only made scoring average in a win against Indiana, who sports 2, count em, 2 guys returning from last years team.This spells doom and despair for the Hawks.Good thing for them they won the Midlands wrestling tourney and backhanded South Carolina in the bowl game.The Hawkeyes could get some glory and spill from the stands to cover Carver Arena in Orgasmic joy, but only if the team they play is ranked and only if the ranked team shoots themselves in the groin first.Sorry hawks, but your not going anywhere.Next up, Minnesota at home.Hear that? Its Tubby salivating.
Purdue, or as I prefer to call them,The Great Satan, confounds with its performances.Just when your ready to say, "hey, these guys will probably win the 10", they drop a game to an inferior opponent.Purdue averaged around 78 or so points while allowing teams to score in the 50's for 8 games or so, only to lose to Oklahoma,a Big 12 team, which is punishable by broken glass enema then Duke by 16.This is only overshadowed by the "face in the pillow" treatment that UNC gave MSU.Purdue opened league play by dropping a game at home to Illinois by 4.Next up for TGS is Penn State AT PSU.If the Boilers rop this one, all bets are off, because they should dominate PSU. Moore,Hummel(I hate that guy), and Johnson are the workhorses, but scoring and rebounding are spread out nicely.The Boilers are a good free throw shooting team and have all the tools to succeed.Purdue wont get slapped until February when they will face MSU twice within 1 month.If they fail to at least split with MSU, the league title hopes could vanish for them assuming that MSU or TGS dont get stupid and lose some games in between.
Little sister,devil spawn or Sybil.What can you say about Michigan other than WOW.This two man show (Harris and Sims) has defeated TWO #4 ranked teams in UCLA and Duke, but lost to Maryland, got demolished by Wisconsin at home and dropped a game to Duke early on by 14 points or something.Who are these guys?Good ? Bad? Who knows whats going to happen next.I certainly didnt expect UM to be 11-3 AND beat Illinois for its first league win.Scoring drops off dramatically after Lucas-Perry(never trust someone with a hyphenated name).Credit the coaching staff to putting a system in place that the players are buying into.Lets all tip our glass and celebrate another sub-par year for this has been basketball program.The shine wears off soon folks.Big Ten play will not be kind to UM, because the 2 man attack is just to easy to stop.For UM to be a success they need all the help they can get.Sorry, just call 'em like I see 'em.With a trip to Indiana next, Iowa at home and then the payback at Illinois, I think UM will likely go 0-3 in the next 3 games.Yes, you heard it here first, Indiana will defeat UM at Bloomington.
Indiana Hoosiers.Kelvin, what have you done? The stain that Sampson put on Indiana has brought the Big Ten down.This formerly great institution has been diminished to an after thought due to mass exodus in the post-Sampson era.Tom Crean is the real deal and being a Heathcoat prodigy will elevate this once great school to the plateau of excellence it once stood on.But not now.And not for about 4 more years or so.Indiana will not win more than 10 games this year.Credit the soldiers on IU's squad for getting out of bed everyday only to get kicked in the jimmy by a guy with 12 legs.IU has crushed all the ITT Tech teams its faced only to get wiped out by everyone else.If anyone out there has a soft spot in their hearts for a true underdog, embrace the Hoosiers,tell them it will be allright, then put a bullet in their head.Its that bad, and its not getting better anytime soon.Im a former lover of Indiana,and after an amicable split, it pains me to see them suffer.This should be one of the teams that elevates the Big Ten.Good luck boys, keep fighting,look down the road to better times.
What can one say about the loveable Cats of Northwestern? They stink.They do more with less in ALL Big Ten sports.They dominate the broadcast staff of the Big Ten Network.These guys will likely finish ahead of Indiana, but maybe not.They have a small squad and shoot the 3 pointer pretty good.They play with lots of heart, but have no bench, and I feel, less coaching.Carmody doesnt impress me much.Not that Im John Wooden, just my opinion.The Cats will struggle to get 4 league wins and have no hope for post season, unless the luck of the gods falls on them and they rip off MANY upset wins.Look to the Cats to fork over win after win to the big meanies that they play week after week.
Thats the Big Ten run down for now.I hope all my pals out there had good holidays and I look forward to 2009 as being a year we all get back to basics and embrace the things that really matter.Good friends, good sports and determination to persevere in the face of failure.
The green and white really come back strong from the humiliating loss to #1 North Carolina. League play has began and here's where we are:
Michigan State 2-0 (11-2) 7 wins consec.
Wisconsin 2-0 (11-3) 2 wins consec.
Illinois 1-1 (13-2)
Minnesota 1-1 (13-1)
Ohio State 1-1 (10-2)
Penn State 1-1 (12-3)
Iowa 1-1 (11-4)
The Great Satan 0-1 (11-3)
U of M 0-1 (10-3)
Indiana 0-1 (5-8) 4 loss consec.
Northwestern 0-2 (8-4) 2 loss consec.
Michigan State is off to another fine start with losses coming to Maryland and North Carolina.Key win so far being a road win against Texas in Houston.MSU opened league play with a solid performance in Minnesota giving the 'Phers their first loss of the season.MSU very methodically took apart Minnesota, with unselfish play and less than impressive shooting from the line.Credit to Tubby for calling TO's with the skill of a master chess player, but overall I feell Minnesota had no answer for Kalin Lucas and the value of the return of Goran Suton cant be overstated.In addition, Minnesota really gathered no help from the bench.Northwestern played tough for 1/2 of Saturdays game at Northwestern,but they quickly succumbed to the depth of the MSU bench, and the continued outstanding play of Summers,Allen,Lucas and Walton.Up next for the meat grinder is OSU on Tuesday at the Breslin.This will be our 5th home game this year, so OSU could be in the deep end of the pool with no floaties and sleeping parents.
Wisconsin.Smoke and mirrors, or a really well coached team of overacheivers?Scoring for Bucky's boys has come from Landry,Hughes(cool name), and Bohanon (looks like he's 12 years old,plays much older) with Krabenhoft and Nankivil chipping in.Bo Ryan almost has me convinced he is just that good a coach and recruiter.If it wasnt for the fact the Wisco had not had a 20 win season for 200 years or so before he arrived, I might feel differant.Wisco really only faced two quality teams and dropped both the games (Marquette and Texas).With a "upset" win at Michigan and a home squeaker win against Penn State, I think Wisco might have a rude awakening coming in the form of Purdue(The Great Satan) and Minnesota, with the only redemption coming from playing 'Sota at home.Jury is out, but I think Bucky and Bo will come crashing back to reality soon.
Illinois gathers scoring and production from 4 talented guys,Davis,McCamey,Meacham and Tisdale.Illinois is decent in rebounding and free throws and looks like a winner.I wont speculate on depth of post season play, but a trip to the dance should be expected for the Illini.A close loss to Clemson was a bit shocking to me, but the win at Purdue to open lit the candle of hope.That was quickly snuffed out by an embarassing loss to Michigan,yes Michigan, at Breslin East(formerly Crisler Arena).Illinois next 3 games include Indiana,Michigan again, and MSU at the Breslin Center on the 17th.3-0 best case, 1-2 probably reality.UM has a knack at gettng under the skin of some opponents, and I feel UM has got a shot at defeating Illinois again.Dont ask me why, I just feel it.
Minnesota gathered some good wins defeating Louisville and Virginia, and really has smoked all the teams they should have beaten.Good signs.They also got the job done against Ohio State.Hoffarber,Johnson,and Larry Westbrook are the studs for the 'Phers, but I have to say, almost the entire team has meaningful statistical averages, indicating Master Tubby is using all the weapons in the arsenal AND planting the seeds of experience to reap success in the future.The loss to MSU was a real let down and you could see it on all the faces at the Barn, however, the 'Phers showed some heart by stepping up and playing a highly emotional game against OSU that payed off.Next up is Iowa on the road.A difficult game possibly, if Iowa decides to show up.
Ohio State at 10-2 looks like a winner, but is it just a case of beer goggles? OSU did the 10 proud by smacking Miami(Fla.) in the challenge then edged a fair Notre Dame team only to get squished by West Va.This team obviously is suffering from losing 3 or so players to the NBA draft after short stays in Columbus and Anthony Crater bailing out doesnt help any.Not good.Thad Matta has gone from the coach I dislike the most to one I respect by winning when the odds are stacked against OSU.A close opening win against a hapless Iowa squad and the 9 point loss at Minnesota makes this team a last call sweetheart, or the best looking one left you could score with after a very long night at Lucky's.Scoring for OSU has been the task for Turner and Diebler, but again, like the Gophers, scoring and meaningful stats are present for the rest of the team.Thats good news.The bad news is this, OSU plays at the Breslin Center next.Unless the clouds part and the sun beams down on OSU, they will fall to Sparty,and it could be nasty.On the bright side, OSU will face Houston Baptist(church league) then go to hated rival Michigan to face a real 2 man show.Both W's I predict.
Penn State.What is there to say about Penn State, other than "you got whupped by USC also".Oh yeah, thats football....lets just let that go for now.With the only decent win coming against Georgia Tech followed by a solid defeat to Temple, Penn State is a mid to lower level team in the NCAA picture.A league opening win against Northwestern was nice, but 4 point loss AT Wisconsin almost looks better, or would if Wisco wasnt the David Copperfield of the Big Ten.Glowing from the upset victory over my spartans last year, I see no such possibility again, unless teams defeat themselves allowing the Lions to capitalize.Next up for PSU is Purdue at home.Bad things.The work load for PSU is bourne by Talor Battle(a real star),Jamelle Cornely and Stanley Pringle.All three shoot 3 point field goals REALLY well, and have solid skills, but they really dont get much help.Scoring dramatically drops off to less than a drip down the bench and the Lions have a issue with turnovers to assists.Dont expect much from PSU, just wait for the results of Joe Pa's hip replacement and look forward to next Football season.
Iowa averaging a paltry 64.5 points per game is lucky to be 11-4.With no real head turning wins and a real smackdown at the hands of Drake, Iowa doesnt impress.Scoring and rebounding are spread around ok, but this team lacks motivation, or at least they look that way.The opening loss to Ohio State looks like a real workmans effort compared to the struggle they put up against a VERY weak Indiana squad.Iowa only made scoring average in a win against Indiana, who sports 2, count em, 2 guys returning from last years team.This spells doom and despair for the Hawks.Good thing for them they won the Midlands wrestling tourney and backhanded South Carolina in the bowl game.The Hawkeyes could get some glory and spill from the stands to cover Carver Arena in Orgasmic joy, but only if the team they play is ranked and only if the ranked team shoots themselves in the groin first.Sorry hawks, but your not going anywhere.Next up, Minnesota at home.Hear that? Its Tubby salivating.
Purdue, or as I prefer to call them,The Great Satan, confounds with its performances.Just when your ready to say, "hey, these guys will probably win the 10", they drop a game to an inferior opponent.Purdue averaged around 78 or so points while allowing teams to score in the 50's for 8 games or so, only to lose to Oklahoma,a Big 12 team, which is punishable by broken glass enema then Duke by 16.This is only overshadowed by the "face in the pillow" treatment that UNC gave MSU.Purdue opened league play by dropping a game at home to Illinois by 4.Next up for TGS is Penn State AT PSU.If the Boilers rop this one, all bets are off, because they should dominate PSU. Moore,Hummel(I hate that guy), and Johnson are the workhorses, but scoring and rebounding are spread out nicely.The Boilers are a good free throw shooting team and have all the tools to succeed.Purdue wont get slapped until February when they will face MSU twice within 1 month.If they fail to at least split with MSU, the league title hopes could vanish for them assuming that MSU or TGS dont get stupid and lose some games in between.
Little sister,devil spawn or Sybil.What can you say about Michigan other than WOW.This two man show (Harris and Sims) has defeated TWO #4 ranked teams in UCLA and Duke, but lost to Maryland, got demolished by Wisconsin at home and dropped a game to Duke early on by 14 points or something.Who are these guys?Good ? Bad? Who knows whats going to happen next.I certainly didnt expect UM to be 11-3 AND beat Illinois for its first league win.Scoring drops off dramatically after Lucas-Perry(never trust someone with a hyphenated name).Credit the coaching staff to putting a system in place that the players are buying into.Lets all tip our glass and celebrate another sub-par year for this has been basketball program.The shine wears off soon folks.Big Ten play will not be kind to UM, because the 2 man attack is just to easy to stop.For UM to be a success they need all the help they can get.Sorry, just call 'em like I see 'em.With a trip to Indiana next, Iowa at home and then the payback at Illinois, I think UM will likely go 0-3 in the next 3 games.Yes, you heard it here first, Indiana will defeat UM at Bloomington.
Indiana Hoosiers.Kelvin, what have you done? The stain that Sampson put on Indiana has brought the Big Ten down.This formerly great institution has been diminished to an after thought due to mass exodus in the post-Sampson era.Tom Crean is the real deal and being a Heathcoat prodigy will elevate this once great school to the plateau of excellence it once stood on.But not now.And not for about 4 more years or so.Indiana will not win more than 10 games this year.Credit the soldiers on IU's squad for getting out of bed everyday only to get kicked in the jimmy by a guy with 12 legs.IU has crushed all the ITT Tech teams its faced only to get wiped out by everyone else.If anyone out there has a soft spot in their hearts for a true underdog, embrace the Hoosiers,tell them it will be allright, then put a bullet in their head.Its that bad, and its not getting better anytime soon.Im a former lover of Indiana,and after an amicable split, it pains me to see them suffer.This should be one of the teams that elevates the Big Ten.Good luck boys, keep fighting,look down the road to better times.
What can one say about the loveable Cats of Northwestern? They stink.They do more with less in ALL Big Ten sports.They dominate the broadcast staff of the Big Ten Network.These guys will likely finish ahead of Indiana, but maybe not.They have a small squad and shoot the 3 pointer pretty good.They play with lots of heart, but have no bench, and I feel, less coaching.Carmody doesnt impress me much.Not that Im John Wooden, just my opinion.The Cats will struggle to get 4 league wins and have no hope for post season, unless the luck of the gods falls on them and they rip off MANY upset wins.Look to the Cats to fork over win after win to the big meanies that they play week after week.
Thats the Big Ten run down for now.I hope all my pals out there had good holidays and I look forward to 2009 as being a year we all get back to basics and embrace the things that really matter.Good friends, good sports and determination to persevere in the face of failure.
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