First game thoughts

Izzo's boys ran all over the Idaho Vandals in their home opener.  What did you take away from the performance?

The Vandals aren't the Tar Heels, but I'd say we looked pretty good.

Here's some stats:

Raymar and Allen with 21 points, Lucas with 9 assists, Gray with 8 rebounds, Lucious with 7 points and 4 assists, the team shot nearly 60% from the field.

Who impressed you, and who do you think needs some work?

Comments

[Specialk]

Loved the speed and intensity.
MSU has excellent depth.
The rebounding is the only area that concerns me.
Yes, it was the first game of the season, but when was the last time MSU got out rebounded by a lesser opponent?
Bring out the shoulder pads Izzo...
Still overall, GREAT game

[AtLSpartan]

Rebounding was an issue, but we were killing them going small so it wasn't crucial. We could have played Morgan at 3 and rotated Gray and Roe at 4 and boarded better, but running small was working.
What worries me is the lack of a smothering defense, Duke and UNC contest every pass even on the perimeter. We tend to let teams reverse the ball around the perimeter and get into their offense. Duke and UNC don't allow any uncontested passes, (but check out the Duke score, either URI is really tough or Duke isn't?).
What will save us this year is Lucas and Lucious breaking people down off the dribble, getting their shots and making good dishes. They are unstoppable. Go Green! See everyone at the Florida Bowl Game.

[Stan]

Worried about the rebounding. Don't know if the attitude needed to rebound can be learned on the fly. This is why we haven't won the b10 since 2000 ... I hope I'm overly concerned, but we'll see

[Josh V.]

Lucas and Morgan have the potential to be All-Big Ten.

Allen, Summers, Roe and Lucious will be key to our success along with Suton's consistancy.

The defense and rebounding concern me but I'm sure Izzo will take care of that with a constant diet of war drills haha.

[rbe]

Team not running in "All cylinders yet"... Looks very promising....chemistry and intensity will come in time...hope it appears before North Carolina shows up....
Go Green!

[Larry Leece]

I think part of the rebounding issue can be traced to a lack of going inside. It seemed to me that a lot of the offense was from the three point line giving long rebounds and not allowing our bigs to be in position to protect the boards. I was surprised as I thought we'd pound it inside much more. It seemed to me that we had either trouble or a lack of patience when trying to penetrate their zone defense.

[Chad D.]

I was at the game, and they looked very athletic from the get-go. I saw a lot of concern from the coaching staff towards Summers defense as well as the entire team's full court pressure. If they are able to know their assignments after a made basket and get into that full court pressure, with this depth, I feel bad for whoever is taking the ball out.

Allen had a great second half after a great shooting first half, but sluggish on the defensive end. As for rebounding, even to a team like Idaho, we should be getting out-rebounded. Lucas' 9 assists to 0 turnovers is what impressed me the most.

Go State!

[wish I had hair]

The only thing anyone could legitimately be disappointed with was that Kalin didn't bring back the big hair. He looked great with that last year. Raymar, Chris, everyone's got the same close cut now... need some personality!

[Sparti_fan in Kentucky]

I can understand MSU getting out rebounding from the stand point that coach Izzo played 15, and for the most part had a smaller lineup in the game. But there were serveral stretches of serious defensive lapses that allowed Idaho to score gimme layups. Against Idaho that is fine, but when we have to play teams with talent, it concerns me.

[sschmi7]

Our biggest problem is we have too much depth. Too much depth keeps great players from getting in their groove. Therefore we need to trim the fat, namely Travis Walton. He adds nothing. He is a senior and Izzo loves him, but he does nothing except take time away from great players. Don't tell me about his GREAT defense. Last year he got beat as much as everyone else, and last night he got beat MORE than everyone. Not to mention some dumb fouls and TO's. We have waaaaaaay too much talent not to win the big ten this year and if we don't it is on the coaching staff.

P.S. If I hear another reference to the shoulder pads, I'm going to throw up.

[swiggs]

i agree that izzo has been way too loyal to walton...nothing personal against walton, but he is an offensive liability and his defense is not good enought to make up for his liability on offense....to me last night, korie lucious looked much better on defense and offense then walton....time to play all the big time recruits....hoping that draymond green gets to redshirt, and that isaih dahlman gets to transfer to open up a spot for a future scholarship

[MSU Chicity Alum]

Well guys, I wouldn't expect Walton's minutes to increase much this year. Before Luscious gets more playing time, Lucas will get the majority of minutes at the point, with Walton playing more of a combo role this year between the 1 and the 2 slot. Luscious is a Lucas clone, with a more defined jumpshot but maybe not as good of a passer. I couldn't agree more that Walton should be fazzed out, but its just not going to happen. Walton is the glue of this team, barking assignments and keeping the fire on the court.

[Spartan4Life]

The whole team has the clean cut hair for a reason. It shows team unity. Apparently the only person that hesitated was Allen, he loved those dreads, but this team wants a final four and will do whatever it takes, even if it means cutting off the locks to show some team unity.

And to Stan, you say rebounding is the reason we havent won the big 10 since 2000. You need to check your stats.

MSU has finished first in rebounding margin in the big ten 9 or the last 11 years. That obviously has not been the problem. Lack of a true point guard on the other hand has been a problem. With Kalin and Korie here now, it definitely is a problem no longer.

[Spartan4Life]

sschmi, I suggest you stop reading blogs and turn in your MSU "fan card". The fact that you said Walton adds nothing to the team shows your utter lack of college basketball knowledge. Walton is the heart and soul of this team. He is the leader of the team.

And about the shoulder pads, its not a reference. Its an actual drill that Izzo employs in practice so once again, shut your mouth. You sound like a fair weather fan crying after a tough loss, except MSU won and put up triple digits. Your negative "fanhood" is not wanted nor needed in MSU athletics. Chump.

[Spartan4Life]

two posts ago should read "9 of 11 years" not "9 or 11 years".

damn typos...

[BigJoe]

I think the fact that this was the first REAL game madea differenceand also the fact that the Sparty's went small most of the game madea difference, I can't wait for Delvon to be 100%and roams the middle, Walton isn't really that good but won't be fazed out, Izzo will make the adjustments at the right times this year.
Go Green!

[BigJoe]

Sorry my space bar sucks, lol

[Howard]

This could be the best team in the past 8 years. If they can keep their heads straight and be tough when the going gets hard, we have the talent to be in the final 4. Except for Herzog, everybody played well.

[SpartinInYork]

Spartan4Life,
I have been reading your blogs for almost 2 months now. You're real good at attacking people who have a different perspective or opinion that differs from yours.
You jumped all over my comment about having Narduzzi consider implementing the "Bandit" position to defend better against the Northwestern spread.
I got on this site the following day and the "hey joe" site asking and looking for an apology from you, when it turned out they had Wiley playing the "Bandit" position against Northwestern; and all you did was ignore the post. I know you read the post, because you're on this sight almost daily. As a matter of fact I believe you disguised yourself as Spartan4Life44 or something like that; because a post/ reply came from that name saying they had no idea what I was talking about. I have not seen a post since with the 44 or whatever number that followed your nickname.
If you can't debate or rebut without name calling, then maybe you should consider not reading or engaging in blogging yourself.

Lighten Up!!

[zing]

Roe looked very comfortable and nimble. His fast break that ended with a nice feed to Summers was fun to watch. Some aggressive rebounds as well.

Thornton can flat out shoot; could be a devastating sharpshooter off the bench.

Is Korie Lucious quick? Jesus. He looks unfazed.

Loved the Suton/Roe/Morgan/Allen/Lucas lineup in the middle of the 2nd half.

[MSUinSC]

I'm not concerned about rebounding when you crush your opponent. Imagine what the score could have been if we kept them off the glass... MSU will not lead the Big Ten in rebounding this year but the will lead in assists and points, however, they will probably end up top three in cleaning the glass.

[spartanforever]

I really hope this team (as a team)get together and revisit the whole MSU teams of Magic's championship season,1999 and 2000. Those teams did not have half the talent of this team and as I pan accross America-I don't see anyone (including U.N.Carolina)superior,equal yes.Anyone can(and likely will)come out and have an out standing season.

What scares me is exactly what asomeone said earlier-questionable rebounding?That tells me this team is like Davis,Brown and company-loads of athletes-short of basketball players.

That Cleaves team deserves to be studied very-very closely as the guys getting the most rebounds were less than 6'7" and most around 6'3."They played tremendous Defense,half-court (they made it their specialty,because they realized how important it was)O & D,transitional and speed (see Florida and champ-game).Bob Knight,then at Indiana U, said it was one of the best team seasons he had seen.

You have to want to do these things,at least doing them because you understand the end results.Coach Izzo is Blue in the face for preaching this since 2000 and you can see his frustrations,because he knew some of his previous teams were capable.Lets hope this team,GETS-IT and the want to be great.

Its like Gray-I watch him with great pain,because you know he wants to do better and you know its there.I think he's on the team that will better showcase his talent and he will turn the corner this season.He especially needs to watch Magic Johnson,why to see some one in total control of the game,yet was not the best athlete on the court.

What these kid do is special,but I hope they learn from the likes of Smith,Skiles, Kelser,the Vincent brothers,and especially Cleaves, Bell,and Peterson.It goes without saying that if they can see the passing lanes like Magic (probably the best ever)teams will be afraid to play them.

This is up to them-only they can push each other(wow-this freshman guard-I love!!!-will prove to be a difference maker),to do the little things.These pip-squeek games-they should apologize to them and please be good winners and show respect-many a team liked Bell and Peterson-Hudson those guys were good guys,that you are proud of...This team has it -what will they do?????.

[spartanforever]

I'm not disputing what msunsc said-he's probably right.I just think practice makes perfect for when you really need it,some time that Cleaves team made bricks for a living,and they knew what to do about it-rebound.There will be big games when your absolute best will be commanded...

[Rob y.]

Thornton made three shots vs Idaho.. he missed nearly every shot he took in the first few games. I have not stats to back it up but it looked to me like brick city in the exhibitions.

the odd men out are Dahlman and Herzog.. no minutes are gonna be available. Thornton and Roe leap frogged over them in the depth chart after one regular game.

The thing that separates MSU from a team like U of M is the 'role player' types.. the Waltons and the Grays of the team.. guys who are there to do one thing. U of M gets a bunch of 6'7" slasher types who can drive to the hoop but that's about it. We need some screen setters and defensive guys who know their job and carry it out.

It should be a really fun team to watch this season. You know they will give their all and play hard. That's all you can ask for

[Pops]

I don't worry about the rebounding. Izzo can fix that. My concern was, like many others, the defense. The vandals got off a lot of uncontested 3's, and got inside a lot more than a team of that quality should have. But when young men have a lead of 20 points or more, it is difficult to get them to play "in your shirt" defense. But the best Izzo teams do just that, they play defense with 6-12 inches of space between them and the player they are guarding. We have the speed to do that, but it takes buying in to the fact that defense wins close games.