Go Blue!

I was wrong and I admit it. Michigan is really a great team.They have a great coach and better athletes than MSU. The Wolverines likely bounced MSU out of the tournament and secured their own bid. ... Yes, it's sarcasm, I'm sorry. But losing to Michigan is one of the worst feelings a true Spartan fan can endure.

I was at Crisler and honestly think I will never go back. The place was just as much of a dump as I remembered it. The crowd is the most pathetic thing I've ever witnessed. I think it made Drew Neitzel even sicker.

Neitzel wants nothing more than to beat Michigan. He always plays good against the Wolvies and tonight it was obvious that he didn't have it (he missed two consecutive free throws, are u kidding me?). I appreciate the effort, but not at all concerned. Drew has proved to the nation that he can play ball.

So congrats to U-M, they actually overcame their own incompetence to beat us for the third time in eight years (please correct me if I'm wrong). MSU played too tense, shot too many threes and got sloppy on the boards. These are things MSU teams don't do at the end of the year in Izzo's coaching philosophy. I hope he can fix it before its too late.

Anyway, I hope the Wolverine fans enjoy this hoops win. I'm guessing its going to be quite a while before they get another!

Comments

[jim b]

Maybe we will get to play Michigan in the BTT...we were not the same team without Drew ...he was on the bench sick, and when he did play you could see he was off his game. Wonder why we didn't play Gray more, his size and play gave Michigan problems??
We needed his rebounding. Suton played tough with a double double.
8 wins in the last 11 games for this young team ..

[Spartysucker]

Michigan is still NIT bound unless the can either beat ohio state or go far in the BTT. its not good enough to beat the team that beat the good team. you have to beat the good team. got that wolvies.

[Dagwood]

Recipe for UM to beat the Spartans:
Catch Drew when he is about 50% AND get a 2-1 foul disparity.
Spartans could have overcome one or the other, not both.

BTW-if Petway is reading this; disparity means a significant difference.

[Mister X]

Normally I'd me mad, but I'm not really since this has little meaning at this point. scUM got lucky for when they had to play us, and their seniors had a decent game and State just couldn't get a lot of shots to drop.

The good news: They probably still won't fire Amaker because he beat State, so we get to keep him around for another year or so.

[Go Blue]

State Fans are pathetic, making excuses every time they lose to michigan. If you guys had beat us in football we would of congratulated you and gave you all the respect you deserved....except you lost....so that really wasn't an issue!
hope state does good in the NIT

[John Rhodes]

UM did knock MSU out of the touorney, no the spartans knocked themselves out of the tourney by not winning. They end up with a 8-8 record not good enough to get to the big dance, when
IU and UI both will have better records. IU plays NU and PSU to finish and Illinois plays Iowa. The real unfortunate part is that we may not have Amaker to beat up on after this year.

[Evergreen]

"...every time they lose to Michigan."

I love it.

I hope we get UM in the Big Ten Tournament.

[Evergreen]

We're not out (yet). We'd have to fall on our faces pretty badly in Madison and then again to PSU/Northwestern in the BTT for this to happen (which, if we don't get healthy and back to our signature defensive toughness, is certainly possible). As for this game, the committee will take all the pre-game qualifiers into their decision. If we miss the tournament, it was because of our inconsistency and poor overall road record -- not because of this particular game.

[JRS]

Michigan fans find it hard to get
excited about beating MSU in anything but football.

U of M is a football school above
anything else. (when it comes to
sports that is) and even then....

[Andrew]

For those of you who would like to believe that somehow Michigan got lucky last night, you're kidding yourselves. Yeah, Drew wasn't feeling that well, but even with him at 100%, there isn't a lot of evidence we win the game anyways. Its not like he didn't contribute at all (11 pts. 3 assists)

We have beaten ONE team away from Breslin this year, and that was Penn State. Michigan has lost 2 games at home this year. (Georgetown and Iowa) Hell, sometimes we are lucky to be competitive on the road.

And for those crying about the foul disparity, we have had a foul disparity in EVERY road game this year. Such is life in the Big Ten on the road.

Sure we could have played better, but on the road, we usually don't.

[Go Blue]

MSU is not going to make it to the NCAA tournament this year, because exactly what JRS said...they can't play on the road, so for the Big Ten tournament, they are not going to do well, and if playing against michigan will lose. Michigan is known for the football program, as state is for the basketball but this year Michigan has the more mature team, and have played together longer. As far as talent goes, State does have more potential talent but against michigans size and experience its not enough. I predict MSU to drop out fast in the big ten tournament and not get a bid for the NCAA, but since it is such a young team with a lot of talent I think that next year, or the year after they will be final four material(if they get rid of suton)I'm glad to see michigan to finally have a chance to go to an ncaa tournament....ever since the Fab Five incident michigan was having a hard time getting good recruits no good player wants to play for a school who is ineligable for post season play. They have finally started to rebuild their program and reputation and have a good freshman class, as well as the Detroit country Day native Legeon who is one of the top high school players in the nation and has already verbally committed to michigan. Go Blue

[Evergreen]

Drew's absence was more than just a scoring output. He's the source of several intangibles in the form of leadership and the cohesiveness that holds this group together and ultimately makes them better. This was unfortunately missing last night.

One thing with which I agree and for which there is no excuse is State's road performance this year. Teams are holding their own at home, which is good, but losing at Michigan, Iowa, and Purdue is just completely unacceptable. One conference road win (and Penn State, at that) is not helping the Spartans' case right now with the selection committee (nor does it help that we paid no visits to Minnesota or Northwestern this year, like others did).

[Dave]

Dagwood -- 21 fouls called on State versus 16 called on Michigan does not equate a 2 to 1 foul disparity. Maybe you should spend less time ripping on Petway's reading ability and more working on your math skills.

This game was incredibly strange. Both teams generally hover around 25% in turnover percentage, but each only had 8 turnovers. And Neitzel might consider playing under the weather more often -- what he lacked in energy he made up in actually playing with control (three assists to only one turnover, well above his season ratio). His teammates, particularly Morgan and Joseph, just didn't step up. On the bright side, Suton looks like he's figuring it out.

State played average and Michigan overachieved. It's a set of circumstances we're likely to see again when the Pope stops wearing a funny hat or Amaker is fired, whichever comes first.

On the other hand, while Michigan may have beaten State only three times in eight years, I believe two of those victories came in the last two years. It can't be a comfort to Izzo to know that he's given up the last two out of four games to his in-state rival, particularly given the players and opposing coach involved.

[Andy]

It sucks to lose any game, especially this one. But, and it pains me to say, this might be the first time I can ever remember in 25 years of closely following college bball that Michigan has ever stepped up with their backs against the wall. Of course it helped them tremendously that Drew was maybe 50% - MAYBE.

Oh well, we move on and try to steal on at Wiscy. If not, win one in Chicago to go into the tourney at 22-11 and a 10 seed or so.

[Marc]

Dave - the announced foul totals after the game were MSU 26, UM 13, which would be a 2-1 disparity.
Second, you say Neitzel played under control and offer his 3-1 assist to tournover stats as proof that he should play under the weather more often. Well, can you say small sample size? I'd rather have his 18 point average (he scored 11), when he's healthy than what he showed last night.
And, go blue, if you really believe MSU is going to the NIT, pay your $5 fine because you're high. UM is not more athletic (nice two point home win against Minnesota), and is not more talented than State. Enjoy the victory. Ohio State is playing for a number 1 seed and will have their way with you guys.

[Evergreen]

The fouls were fairly evened out by the end of the game. The first half was more lopsided, but by the end, it wasn't worth griping about.

I'd also rather have Neitzel healthy with an 8/3 ratio than sick with a 3/1 ratio.

I think you're right, in that Michigan has beaten State once in each of the last two seasons. Both at Crisler.

[Evergreen]

That was the final foul tally? I thought it was the 16-21 count that someone else posted. That's what the box scores said last night.

I'm also interested to see the Buckeyes at UM this weekend as well. Should be entertaining.

[Go Blue]

How is MSU going to win a single game at Chicago, or Wisc. They Can't take the Breslin with them....and It's kind of funny that Netzel got "sick" right before the match up against michigan just like Drew Stanton got "sick" back in the fall....last 2 years michigan is 2-2 against state, if they played in chicago with netzel 100% it wont matter, because michigan will shut the midget down again....and you will complain he had a headache the night before...go blue

[Evergreen]

Yeah, hooked up to an IV and in bed for three straight days just so we'd have an excuse. That Neitzel -- what a kidder.

Being realistic, I'm not banking on another upset in Madison. I'd love it, but then again, I wasn't banking on it at Breslin either. Hopefully he gets his legs and lungs back so they can give a full effort. They should definitely win at least one game in the BTT, but that tourney hasn't bene their friend in the past.

[Brett]

I love it when people get on these message boards and don't have a clue as to what they are talking about. First off, State is in the big dance. There isn't any argument about that. Secondly yes Michigan played a better game last night and was the better team. Just as they were in East Lansing. This Michigan team should be a Top 25 team, they have the better all around team. There problem isn't the players however, it's the coaching. They should be contending for a Big Ten title this year instead of being on the bubble. State on the other hand has exceeded what their standards were from the beginning of the season. With 6 wins over Top 50 teams and 21 total now for the season they are a lock. On neutral floors they play just as well as they do at home. 2-1 on the season. I am sick of hearing oh State is out everytime they lose a game. Appreciate what they have done and move on....they will crush Michigan next year so enjoy the split Wolverine fans.

[Dave]

Marc, Yahoo had the fouls as 21 for Michigan, 16 for State. MSUSpartans.com had it as 21/15. I'm not sure where you got 26/13, but I'll trust the official box scores. And considering the 3-4 fouls in the last two minutes by State, there really wasn't a foul disparity.

You're right about small sample size, and I don't certainly don't mean to say that State is better off with Neitzel at less than 100%. But one of the things that rarely gets discussed is how much turnovers have hurt State, especially given how incredibly efficient they are at scoring when they don't turn the ball over (I think it's around 1.3-1.4 points per possession). Accordingly, turnovers hurt them more than any other Big Ten team. Cutting down on even a handful of turnovers can mean a lot for this squad.

I feel pretty confident that State will make the tourney. Michigan needs to win against OSU and a BTT game, which they won't do. Frankly, Michigan's non-conf was an embarrassment.

Finally, there's no question in my mind that Michigan currently has more talent than State. That's a testament to what a fantastic job Izzo does year in, year out. If Michigan were ever to get a real coach, I think people would be shocked at how much better some of the current guys were playing. Amaker is simply not very good.

[Joel]

I think we as MSU fans should be happy that the weasels won. This way Amaker can keep his job! We all know what a good job he does there.
(sarcasm)

[Mark Feather]

Bottom line: MSU is still going to the tounament. UM isn't.

[Go Blue]

Your saying if michigan ends their season by defeating the number one team in the nation they wouldnt be in the NCAA tournament? MSU WILL lose to wisconsin, you all can agrea with me on that so nothing is certain for either team. It could be a msu U of M NIT matchup for all we know

[Dagwood]

Woof on me with the CORRECT numbers ding-dong.22-11 IS actually 2-1.

MSU will be dancing for the 10th year in a row. The UM game was about seeding. Did you see that stat ESPN used last night to show the Big 10 SOS that MSU played versus EVERYBODY else in the conference? OSU and Wisc twice each? Get real

Spartans will probably lose to the Badgers; our real rival (they actully have a team),and despite the naysayers, will win one or two in the BTT. I expect them to get a 10 Seed, win one and then lose to the #2 seed, probably a Memphis or Florida.

Here's hoping that Amaker stays and screws up Legion's career, while Izzo comes back next year with everybody, plus a red-shirted Herzog and those three killer top 5 guards

Multiple Choice:

A.)Michigan has lost more bowl games than any other team in the top 50 teams with total program victories

B.) Famous UM helmet design was actually stolen from Princeton

C.) UM has not played in the NCAA Tournament in this Century

D.) With visit this year UM will set a BCS-school record with consecutive appearances at the NIT

E.) Arrogance 101 and 102 are required for graduation in Ann Arbor