Ouch Man
Well there are still several pieces of good news after Purdue trounced Michigan State 72-54.
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The sun will come up tomorrow.
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Michigan State still controls its own destiny.
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The women's team is tied for first place in the Big Ten.
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The Spartans won't have to play in Mackey Arena again this year.
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Michigan State still has two NCAA Championships that I'm sure won't be taken away from Spartan fans anytime soon.
Okay, really the only good news is that Michigan State stills control its own destiny and perhaps that they don't have to play in Mackey Arena. I know some of you had dreams of a #1 seed (really I'm just guilty of this) but that seems out of the question now. The Spartans can still redeem themselves by beating Purdue on March 8.
I know what you are saying, how can they beat Purdue in a few weeks after being so thoroughly dominated tonight? Well as Tom Izzo said at halftime, Michigan State missed five lay ups. That could have been 10 points or at least 8 points which would have made it a different game in the second half. I'm sure if Michigan State had scored those points in the first half they wouldn't have forced some the shots they did in the second half.
However, even if everything had gone perfectly Purdue still probably would have won by a few points. Purdue plays the best defense in the Big Ten and Purdue forward JaJuan Johnson has NBA written all over him. I still think Michigan State can take Purdue in East Lansing. This group is a resilient bunch. They over came a disaster against North Carolina and now still lead the Big Ten.
Purdue really over plays the ball and I think that can be turned against them in the rematch. Right now Chris Allen and Kalin Lucas are in mini shooting slumps which I believe they will overcome. Also my fellow Cantonian (that's Canton, OH) Raymar Morgan will get back into the swing of things and he will be a factor in the next meeting.
So what do you think of my "sunny side" up philosophy? Is Michigan State still bound to win the title? Or have I been drinking too much?
I do know this much, if Michigan State falters against those pesky Badgers (I do mean pesky) then good bye out right Big Ten title and Spartan fans will be praying for another Tom Izzo "March Madness" miracle in the NCAA Tournament.
