Go Ahead and Exhale

It is very possible that MSU just beat the most talented #10 seed in recent NCAA tournament history. Take a deep breath.

A great win for MSU against a team that clearly underachieved for most of the season. The Trojans have at least three legitimate NBA players and some good depth. But when I think back to Travis Walton's career years from now, I will always remember this game. When jump shots virtually reigned from the sky off Walton's hand and just as they seemingly were about to fall painfully short, they somehow found the bottom of the net.

Walton was clearly huge. But so was Goran Suton, whose defense on Taj Gibson was terrific, and Draymond Green, who is on his way to a tremendous college career.

It's just too bad Louisville won, because the Spartans will not get any breaks in their road to the Final Four. And let's just name this year's NCAA tournament Chalk City. There will be no George Masons in Detroit in two weeks.

Next up: Kansas. I think MSU is set up to play well against the Jayhawks, not because they already beat them, but because the Spartans can put Walton on Sherron Collins and can rotate big men at Cole Aldrich. The Spartans are much more balanced on offense and play better team defense. But to continue on the road to Detroit, MSU will need to keep hitting three-pointers with Durrell Summers, Chris Allen and Kalin Lucas.

So take a deep breath and exhale until late Friday night. And for those of you on your way to Indy - enjoy. Perhaps it will bring back memories of 2000 when I remember partying at the RCA Dome into the wee hours of the morning.

Finally, great job by the Spartan women to get a shot at JPM and Duke at home. It would be GREAT to beat the coach who thought Duke was a better women's job than MSU.

So what do you all think is the key to the Friday game against Kansas? And please try to keep your comments about the officiating to a minimum. I know it was tough for me.