MSU whupps the Big East Conference Champions

Raise your cup and honor the Midwest Regional Champions.

Yes people it is true. Contrary to popular opinion, Michigan State AGAIN rises to the occasion

and sends the 'Ville home to mama. And yes, again, the ever omnipotent Digger Phelps and the ESPN crew sit back and flap gums about Tyler "Two move" Hansbrough and the impressive win against Oklahomo. The win for MSU was an eyebrow raising "oh by the way" as usual.No matter, MSU continues to represent the Big Ten and wipes out the Big East Tournament champs. The 'Ville , the Juggernaut that it was , was limited to 0 fast break points.Indeed, zero, nada.And its infamous press yielded, you guessed it, zip. Granted, I cant say I ever took for granted that MSU would win. That is not our way. Cautious optimism is always the attitude. It must be. There is no other way. MSU executed its game plan very, very well and controlled the pace of the game. I found it funny that the Louisville guards were handing the ball off to the officials instead of letting it fall so they could get back of defense. Nifty stuff, until the officials put a stop to the cheatin'. Goran Suton, oh my god, continues to play beyond the call of duty. Doing all the little things, scoring, rebounding, playing solid enough defense. Durrell Summers finally showed up and on top of all that, Raymar Morgan and Chris Allen scored a whopping 6 points and gathered 8 rebounds between them both in not one, but TWO games. The one thing they are contributing is hustle plays and defense. If these guys get a game and everyone else can keep it together, MSU will do well in Detroit. Spartans, we are light years from the last time George and I sat quietly in Ford Field and watched as UNC made us look pathetic. That was December. Louisville averaged 83 points per game. 83 . Msu allowed the Cards 52. DEFENSE people, thats what defines Big Ten ball. Louisville had 1 basket in the last 5 minutes or so. Count em, 1. Defense, not showtime bull crap like Oklahoma. Those power dunks when OU was down 20, real impressive. No different than any successful football team in the 10. We will play defense and establish the run.Thats championship football in the 10. The Big East track meets didnt hold up this time. UCONN will try the same, Im sure. Thabeet will have to come out and play on Suton. If Suton can continue to play at this level, Thabeet HAS to come out. I wont say 7' 3" wont get his, but the game plan will be different for sure.

The battle is over Spartans. Drink, eat, make little Spartans. Savor this accomplishment and revel in the pain of our victims. Tomorrow, we go back to work. Another plateau is in view, and we must find a way to conquer it. The people of Spartan nation and on a larger scale, the people of Michigan need it. No guarantees, no freebies, no mercy. We get none, we give none. Hardship hardens us, victory tempers us. The finished steel cuts to the core. This thinking is the ship that carries us to Eden, or the rock we shatter upon. It is the only way.