Tough draw

The No. 8-9 draw couldn't have gotten much tougher for the Spartans as they'll face Marquette in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

I've watched Marquette play at least a half-dozen times this year and they are a very, very solid team (much better than an eight seed IMO).

Travis Walton is going to have his hands full guarding Dominic James, who is a phenomenal player and the key to the Golden Eagles offense.

Obviously there are some similarities between these programs and the relationship between Izzo and Marquette coach Tom Crean (a former MSU assistant from 1995-99) is sure to get plenty of press in the week to come.

I really don't like the Spartans chances in this one. We've shown that we can hang with anyone in the country, but it's going to take one heckuva game to pull it off.

Comments

[Louis]

Agreed. But hey, every odd year we advance to at least sweet 16. That's got to be something, right? : )

[Marc]

For those of you who have watched Marquette this year (I have not), how will their bigs fare against ours? Another one - will Morgan have an advantage?

[Ryan]

To answer your question here is how I see it

Marquette's strength is its guard play. So is MSU's...who makes the big play at the right time? Drew Neitzel vs Dominic James. Travis Walton has to have a great day guarding him to give us our best chance.

To answer your question Marquette's big's are ok but nothing special... I give the edge to MSU based on that our bigs are getting better at the right time.

My first thought was I hated this draw...thinking about it more...I think MSU matches up very well in this game.

Plus I am a HOMER!!! Go Green

[BWhite]

When initially seeing this match-up, I am hesitant with MSU's chances, however upon further review, MSU may have the intangibles on their side for this one. The master vs. the protege = edge to Izzo on that one. The strength of schedules = MSU just went through a meat grinder of a schedule in Big Ten... I think they'll enjoy playing someone else for a change! Pressure = is all on Marquette in my opinion - they know they're better than an 8 seed and believe it or not, may be looking past MSU toward a possible UNC match-up... that would be a huge mistake as MSU will be ready to play. Odd year stat = gotta like that MSU does particularly well in odd years in NCAA tourney... may hold true against Marquette, but UNC will be one heck of a test, whoever ends up playing the Heels. Regardless, the NCAA tourney is a great reward for this young and gritty MSU team! 10 straight NCAA's and counting... let's have some FUN and let the Madness begin!

[daizzone]

I think Marquette should be better then an 8th seed they were ranked 18th in ap poll. James is 1st team all big east, when his shot is on hes very good but it is inconsistent at times. I think Walton can guard him. They have the big east defensive player of the year with there guard Jerel McNeal, likely will be guarding Neitzel. I think if we can get past this game we matchup kind of good with UNC. The four hourseman on hansbourgh and walton on their quick guard. Wright is a problem however, to big for Morgan. Florida will win it all.

[Matt]

I heard that Travis Walton was recruited over Dominic James although James was more highly regarded. James is All Big East and Walton has not yet been all Big Ten. So this may be a sort of grudge match/motivation for Walton to shut down James.

[JMCSpartan08]

Honestly, I worry about Marquettes pace of play...they're quick and they run, probably more than any team in the Big Ten besides maybe OSU...I would have rather had the 10 seed in Memphis' bracket.

[Stephanie]

Mcneal i heard will not be playing for the remainder of the season...sooo thats a big loss for them. Also,James has been a in a slump for the last 5 games or so i heard (playing like Neitzel did last game.) Of course he can come out of that any game--but still.

What scares me is the combo of two things: their guards are very fast and quick AND Crean knows Izzo. Unfortunately poor Drew is just not a really fast/quick guy (hes had to work to get where he is) and relies on those brilliant plays with the screens and outsmarting his opponent to get the good looks. So, with those fast gaurds and Crean knowing Izzo itll be a tough game for Drew. But i have confidence that Drew can pull out a fairly good game.

Our biggest advantage comes with our bigs(they have one 6'10'' and a few 6'9''s and thats it.) If our bigs can play well then i think we will be ok. Their guards are fast yes but not good shooters. Their 2nd best 3 ball shooter is a 6-9 post player so G and 'Quise will have their hands full. Also, another great thing for us is NO ONE on their team is about 77% in Free throws and only 3 of them are in the 70s at all (most fall in the mid 60s and 50s.)

Izzo said his his press confrence (which you can listen to on msuspartans.com) that the draw is only unlucky because of the coach and not the team...so im hoping he is right and we can pull out a win.

[John Rhodes]

Homers comments are expected but MSU will hope that they can stay within 15 points of this team. Big East is no cakewalk with many of their opponents being ranked in the top twenty all year. They split with Pittsburgh who has a good big man. They have had a real test and come through very well. MSU has won ONE road game against PSU. The rest of their wins were all at Breslin. Win against Marquette on a neutral floor? Forget it.

[Cmoney]

Totally think we, and Marquette, got screwed. I have no clue how Marquette got an 8 seed. However here are the keys:

1. Control tempo—make it a half court game; make them play D for 30sec every time down the court
2. Control the Boards by a significant margin
3. Walton/Neitzel-shut down James drive 1st; make him beat you shooting from the perimeter

Also are we SURE that McNeal is not playing…this is huge if he cant play???

[Munisingmike]

Whether McNeal plays or not, the Spartans will need to FOCUS and hit the court running, forget the pressure, forget the statics, forget everything except who they are and what they have proven what they can do. The Spartans will need to play 40 minutes of basketball and leave it all on the floor Thursday with each player taking charge and giving 110%. Its "tournamnet time" Spartans. Get 'HUNG-GRY' and " BRING IT" like YOU KNOW YOU CAN....GO SPARTANS

[Doug]

John,
"The rest of their wins were all at Breslin"....

I guess beating Texas at MSG counts as winning at Breslin? Beating BYU at a half empty Palace? Beating Northwestern at the United Center? Just a couple of games that weren't at Breslin, in case you needed a reminder.

[Brad]

I am a Marquette grad and I've watched almost every game this season. Marquette's weaknesses have been interior defense and inconsistency shooting the ball. The chances of McNeal playing on Thursday are slim, and if he does play, he'll probably be fairly ineffective. The thumb injury he sustained in practice a week and a half ago is pretty serious and he's still in immense pain. To make matters worse, the injury is on his shooting hand. With Michigan State's ability to rebound, this is a good matchup for the Spartans. They can certainly win this game, and have already been tabbed the favorite in Vegas. This should be one of the best first round battles in the tourney.

[Go Blue]

Haha...have fun losing to marquette.....

[Go Blue]

Haha...have fun losing to marquette.....

[BWhite]

Go Blue - Have fun in NIT! Only need to post that once...

[Ryan]

Well Stephanie I may have made a homer comment but it's obvious were your from...

I never said the big east was a cake walk and I totally respect Marquette and their 1-1 record against Pitt.

but.....Aaron Gray is a Todd McCullogh in the making and wil be at best a center coming off the bench in the NBA (my opinion and nmothing to do with our game)

and......All the wins at home? How about neutral court record of 2-1 which is how the NCAA is played with wins over #4 Texas and conference champs BYU and a lass second loss (should have been a shot clock violation on the Terps) to #5 Maryland.

You obvisouly didn't think before you typed so I will remind you...road recrod aside the Spartans SOS (which was better than Marq) is why they are in the tourney and they are battle tested enough to "hang" the with Big East

[Ryan]

Go Blue...have fun not winning the NIT and prolly not going far again after not making the tourney again.

But Brett Petway is a sweet dunker...now if he could work on his weaknesses...which are dribbling, shooting, rebounding, and defense.

But at least your a football school...how those bowl games work out for you? Buffalo Bills of college football

[BWhite]

Ryan, I think the poster below Stephanie posted the homer and "MSU will hope that they can stay within 15 points" crap... not sure what games that dude has been watching this year, but it's obviously been on the other side of Lake Michigan where cheese and beer are aplenty. Now, don't get me wrong, Big East is quality, however, MSU has plenty of neutral court experience (& wins) this year and will be ready to play this one. I watched Marquette a few times this year and they kinda put me to sleep (or maybe that was due to their opponents, like Pitt), but they play tough D similar to MSU. I see a close game the entire way in this one, with the team rebounding better and hitting their free throws down the stretch prevailing!?!

[Go Blue]

I would just like to point out that I am talking about basketball and a STATE fan brought up football....not me, but since your hating on the michigan football program, lets take a look at how well you did in all your past bowl games.....wait, you hardly ever go....and they take a lot more than 32 teams.....

[truspartandawg]

Travis Walton has been the best on-ball defender in the Big Ten all year long. He was the TRUE Big Ten defensive player of the year in my opinion ie...the wisconsin game guarding Tucker...and besides, its not to hard to play defense at 7 feet standing in the middle of the lane all game...Now the nation will see when he stops a first team Big East player...Let's go T dub...and Go GREEN!!!! Let the madness begin!!

[Go Blue]

Marquette 78
MSU 56

[ERIC]

i would love to see state get a Texas rematch and take them down again. All i have heard about State's early season victory over Texas is that it was before Durant took off...get real. it was also before we really got going too then. i tell ya i really feel though that just making the tourney was big for us this year. its no shame in going out second round against a tough north carolina team. the main goal should just be to beat Marquette, which we could do if some cosmic tumblers fall into place. GO STATE

[swiggs]

Go blue,

They are selling tickets at the dump for $10 a pop to see the #3 seeded NIT team UMich battle it out for a NIT title. Go support your team buddy, everyone in this blog will be watching the NCAA tourney

[BWhite]

Michigan 68
Utah State 65

The NIT... can't get any better for you, eh GoBlue?