No. 1 seed for Michigan

In the NIT, that is. The only thing I can guarantee is, the NIT committee will give U-M three home games, for the third year out of four, to try to get the Wolverines to New York. When Maize Rage East takes over the Garden, even Spike Lee gets chills.

In other news at this moment, Purdue is putting the hurt on Iowa as we near halftime. The Boilermakers are playing tough and focused. I really think Matt Painter is an excellent coach who will do good things with that program. I say the Boilers are in if they finish this win. They'd play Ohio State next, a boost to the strength of schedule, and I think this victory proves enough.

As for Illinois, I think the Illini really need to beat Indiana tonight, or they're going to be left out. They just haven't done as much as Purdue. And other teams are making pushes. Mississippi State, for example, which could vault past Illinois by beating Kentucky. The other MSU just forced overtime in that game.

Latest MSU projections: All the bracket dudes list MSU as a lock now, no surprise. ESPN's Joe Lunardi has MSU as a 9 seed, playing 8 seed Southern Cal in Chicago in the first round. The awaiting 1 seed would be Kansas. There will be at least three changes to that projection before the weekend finishes.

MSU has a great opportunity at hand. If the Spartans can upset Wisconsin tonight, then get a win on Saturday, I think they could work their way up to a 6 seed. If that sounds high to you, don't forget this -- the bracket has a "wiggle" allowance of one seed either way. In other words, the committee may have MSU slated as a 7, but to make the bracket fit, avoid early rematches between teams in the same league, etc., the committee is allowed to bump the Spartans up to a 6 or down to an 8. At 6, MSU would play the 11 in the first round, then probably get the 3 in the second round -- teams like Washington State, Pittsburgh, Southern Illinois, Louisville, Nevada. Teams the Spartans would have a much better chance of beating than 1/2 seed teams like Kansas, UCLA, Florida, North Carolina, Texas A&M.

If the Spartans don't win the next two, I think they'll definitely fall somewhere in the 7-10 range, which means a 1 or 2 in that second round, which makes a Sweet Sixteen trip a taller order. With UCLA losing last night, Wisconsin now has a real shot at a No. 1 seed. A lot on the line tonight, in what should be an outstanding game.

Comments

[Kevin Longhini]

Joe, great information, but what about a prediction for this evening?? As much as I bleed green, I'm picking Bucky by 5 in a close, well-played defensive game. Please tell me I'm wrong!

[Andy]

It was a tough one. Flowers put a lock down on Neitzel. Suton saved us early, but we couldn't get over the 5 point hump on three or four ocassions in the second half when we had otherwise siezed control of the game.

Any word on Neitzel's injury? Seemed like a hip, yet the replays showed that he did the splits. MY guess is even had they pulled out a game that Wisconsin would have given away, it would have been tough to go again tomorrow.

Time to sit and wait...

[BWhite]

Not enough Neitzel (good D by Badgers), not enough Raymar (congrats to Big Ten officials, who somehow have found a way to become a focal point in each and every Big Ten game this year... the sheer volume and type of calls being made are just AWFUL!), not enough D (is this a trend starting?), and did anyone else think not enough CLASS by Wisconsin at the end of that game?? Izzo calls off the dogs with just over a minute left, and does he get any sportmanship in return from Bo and the Badgers? No, Tucker jacks up a 3 and does more showboating! Can't stand that crap... maybe I'm just overreacting to another bitter Badger pill to swallow, but I don't think Izzo appreciated that either. Anyway, they hung tough despite the obstacles and MSU seems to need the rest to prep for their 8/9 seed game in NCAA next week. It may be time to tell MoJo to stop shooting 3's and get Suton the rock more! I'll keep the faith that a first round exit won't occur again for MSU this year. Keep up the hard work, fellas! It's gotta pay off soon... GO STATE!

[Mark]

BWhite, I thought exactly the same thing when Tucker launched that shot with about 27 seconds left in the game--it seemed pretty classless, which seems par for the course for Bo Ryan and the stinkin' Badgers. Maybe it's just sour grapes on my part, but why not dribble the ball around and run out the shot clock (which I believe MSU would have done in the same situation).

[Stephanie]

Tough loss...no doubt about it....but read this article by Hondo, itll make ya feel better- i know it made me feel better...

http://spartannation.com/?cat=3

I agree-- Wisconsin may have won but at least we lost with class, which is why i guess Neitzel got the sportsmanship award. Can you imagine if Drew or Mojo (or whoever) threw up a 3 with 27secs left? Izzo would probably bench 'em or at least give them a real stern talking to. I mean Gray gets benched after his show boat act but ALL game Wisconsin was blaring unneccessary "in your face" actions. Maybe im bitter from the loss, but i dont think so. Wisconsin deserved that win no doubt about it, but i HATE that they won because they did it in such a CLASSLESS way and kept throwing it in our faces. Yeah, i know they have a right to be happy for beating us but theres a line.And i absolutely hate Bo Ryan, hes such an asshole and completely classless when compared to our man Izzo.

Ok, off that subject now.
Its impossible to be mad at Drew since the guy practically carried the team this season, but man alive he couldnt hit anything. A combo of great D and Drew just not feeling it makes for an ugly situation. I can only imagine how disappointed in himself he must be (cuz he def. seems like the type reading testiments from his old HS coach and people who know him) and thats just too bad.Also, he did the splits??I must have missed that and i didnt see any replays but he sure looked like he was in a lot of pain. He held his hip but then pulled his knee up to his chest....so i dunno. Hopefully someone will ask him about that so we can know whats up.

Still proud of our boys and proud of being a Spartan!!

[donaldo]

My thoughts after the game-

THE GOOD- Naymick and Gray showed signs of life. Continued contributions from them would be greatly appreciated. Suton had a splendid first half. Where did he go in the second half? Turnovers were at a reasonable level, and the defense caused a higher than usual amount of turnovers from Wisconsin. The team should be healthy and well-rested. I've got a lot more free time this weekend.

THE BAD - Neitzel had an off night, in some degree due to good defense. We are unlikely to beat a quality opponent if he doesn't shoot at least 40-45% from the field. Mojo can't hit a shot. There will be a little bit of sweating if there are a few more upsets in the conference tournaments. We'll have to play a darn good team in the second round.

THE UGLY - The three-point defense was poor. Free throw shooting is unacceptably bad. The dismal starts are becoming habitual.

Fortunately, all are correctable. Hopefully with a week to prepare they will be corrected.

[BWhite]

Thanks for the link to article, Stephanie. Sums it all up regarding stank-ass Bo and his band of misfits. I'm telling ya, I hope all the best for MSU in NCAA, but let's be realistic, next year is MSU's next Final Four run... as far as Wiscy Dick and Alando "My Mama plays better basketball" Tucker this year... Sweet 16, if they're lucky!?!

Izzo is worth every penny.

[Blake]

Here are my beefs:

1. The Maize rage is another Johnny-come-lately Orange Crush-who define Johnny-come-lately. The Spartan Spirits (now IZZONE)go back past the birth of Breslin. I was in there for the Fab-Five moneyball era. (Thanks again U-M for giving us recruiting carte blanche.) Have you seen the Maize Rage? A bunch of mamasboyz tools.

2. Officials were brutal. Not just crying because Morgan got bounced. Did anyone else see the Badger bigs draped ALL over us when we were down low? They must be invisible to the Zebras. Bottom-Line: We need to manage our stupid fouls. We can't control the refs or whine about it. But when you get 2-3 cheapies, you are gonna foul out.

3. Bo Ryan=assclown. Not only this game with the late 3 and showboating. (Which is OK, those guys think they are winning it all right now.) But the first game, when it was WAY over, Ryan was still sending the goons. The only saving grace is that his tantrums put Nitro on the line shooting technical fouls.

4. Nietzel on the deck- Our coverage was pretty generic here. Did that seem like retaliation for 'Quise checking Chris Rock into the deck on the half court flight dunk? I'm glad that went through, but Marquise you have to dribble, you are not in the NBA.

5. The jagbag announcer calling us, "SPARTY." That is a tag only for diehards and alumni, not talking heads.

6. Can Marcus Landry be any more of a bitch? I took joy in his pouty lip affecting his free throws. He needs a little Trannon treatment if you aks me...

[Evergreen]

Not even a #1 seed for Michigan as a NITter. At a #3, with 32 teams in that mix, that's merely the upper end of middle-of-the-road NITters, at that!