Izzo's "Train Wreck" Coming True
Coach Tom Izzo in his ultimate optimism said he saw a “train wreck” coming for Michigan State when the Big Ten schedule started. He was right on.
MSU has the toughest conference schedule of any Big Ten team, facing the three last place teams (Northwestern, Purdue and Penn State) one time each and opening with four of their first five games on the road, including at Illinois and at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, where Coach Izzo has never won.
State is now 0-2 losing with an absolutely pathetic performance at Wisconsin, 82-63. This start to Big Ten schedule by the Spartans is a “train wreck” and it is time for MSU to sweat and panic.
MSU’s offense played awful. Their defense was nearly as deplorable. And the officiating was as bad as any game from this season.
Officiating aside, MSU lost this game because Drew Neitzel did not feed Paul Davis in the post. This problem was confounded by Davis’ early foul trouble and his lack of ball demand in the post.
This loss wasn’t entirely on Neitzel and Davis though. Maurice Ager had enough touches, but his slump continued; he shot 5-16 from the field. Marquise Gray’s inconsistent play and inability to make lay-ups (as a 6-8 power forward) was evident again. Shannon Brown was the only high point for the Spartans, as he scored 31 points (49% of State’s points).
Michigan State’s defense allowed the Badgers to shoot 53.7% from the field and 10-20 from behind the arc. The Spartans will not win eight games in the Big Ten if they allow teams to shoot like that.
The Spartans also had fourteen points, which Wisconsin converted to nineteen points.
This inexcusably dismal performance by MSU was multiplied by poor officiating. The Spartans were 11-16 from the free throw line, while Alando Tucker was 6-17 by himself. The Badgers were an appalling 14-30 from the line, but when a team shoots almost twice as many free throws something is not right. The final fouls were 23 against State and nineteen against Wisconsin. Officiating wasn’t the cause of this loss, but it was poor nonetheless.
MSU will face Indiana at the Breslin Student Event Center this Wednesday night. Indiana has a lot of momentum after a thrilling two-point victory over a solid Ohio State team. If the Spartans come out flat against Indiana and the Hoosiers jump to an early lead, State will lose their third game in a row, Izzo’s “train wreck” will continue and the Spartans will essentially eliminate themselves from the Big Ten title race.
MSU has the toughest conference schedule of any Big Ten team, facing the three last place teams (Northwestern, Purdue and Penn State) one time each and opening with four of their first five games on the road, including at Illinois and at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, where Coach Izzo has never won.
State is now 0-2 losing with an absolutely pathetic performance at Wisconsin, 82-63. This start to Big Ten schedule by the Spartans is a “train wreck” and it is time for MSU to sweat and panic.
MSU’s offense played awful. Their defense was nearly as deplorable. And the officiating was as bad as any game from this season.
Officiating aside, MSU lost this game because Drew Neitzel did not feed Paul Davis in the post. This problem was confounded by Davis’ early foul trouble and his lack of ball demand in the post.
This loss wasn’t entirely on Neitzel and Davis though. Maurice Ager had enough touches, but his slump continued; he shot 5-16 from the field. Marquise Gray’s inconsistent play and inability to make lay-ups (as a 6-8 power forward) was evident again. Shannon Brown was the only high point for the Spartans, as he scored 31 points (49% of State’s points).
Michigan State’s defense allowed the Badgers to shoot 53.7% from the field and 10-20 from behind the arc. The Spartans will not win eight games in the Big Ten if they allow teams to shoot like that.
The Spartans also had fourteen points, which Wisconsin converted to nineteen points.
This inexcusably dismal performance by MSU was multiplied by poor officiating. The Spartans were 11-16 from the free throw line, while Alando Tucker was 6-17 by himself. The Badgers were an appalling 14-30 from the line, but when a team shoots almost twice as many free throws something is not right. The final fouls were 23 against State and nineteen against Wisconsin. Officiating wasn’t the cause of this loss, but it was poor nonetheless.
MSU will face Indiana at the Breslin Student Event Center this Wednesday night. Indiana has a lot of momentum after a thrilling two-point victory over a solid Ohio State team. If the Spartans come out flat against Indiana and the Hoosiers jump to an early lead, State will lose their third game in a row, Izzo’s “train wreck” will continue and the Spartans will essentially eliminate themselves from the Big Ten title race.
posted by az at 4:21 PM
8 Comments:
This is what I posted on Jon's blog:
I think Izzo has to lighten up a bit. None of you were alive for the 1978-79 season with Magic, Kelser, Vincent, Donnelly, Brkovich and Charles. MSU fell into a rut in the Big 10 season. Heathcote was out of control, the players weren't sure of themselves or what Jud wanted. So Magic took Jud aside and said, "Do want to win the Big 10?" Jud responded, "Yes!" Magic then told him to lighten up and let us play our game. Not only did they win the Big 10, they won the National Championship by shellacking Indiana State and Larry Bird.
All that we need here for this team to start playing "their" game. The team that beat Arizona, Boston College. The team that played Gonzaga straight up for one game and 3 overtimes.
The train wreck has happened just like Izzo said. The big question is, did his players believe him. After two Big 10 games it appears that they did.
By the way, I guess I owe Jon a six pack. Next time you're in Michigan Jon look me up.
well, dad i don't entirely agree here.
magic and kelser were sophomore and juniors; a somewhat young team. they wanted to play their game and in two years hadn't grasped jud's game.
davis and ager are seniors. brown is a junior. all of them have been to a final four and ager and davis have been to an elite eight and three straight ncaa births.
this team has played izzo's game for four years and have been successful. these last two games are just a combination of poor defense and poorer offense. ager is in a funk. davis doesn't get the ball enough and neitzel has a case of the turnover bug.
this team needs to play a couple of home games. and get a couple of wins to right the ship.
think about this, they have played four top ten teams and are 2-2 (gonzaga, arizona, bc, illinois). none of those games were at home. they have played four of the top six teams in rpi, gonzaga, arizona, illinois and wisconsin.
these are tough games. izzo's boys will get back to their winning ways playing his style of ball.....hopefully....
I always knew that you were smarter than me. Good response. I hope they can get a win against IU on Wednesday.
no way is my basketball iq higher than yours. i have never once beat the head coach of cleveland state.
however, i agree with some parts of your statement. let 'em run and gun. they get stagnant on offense sometimes b/c they are setting up too many plays. a little freedom wouldn't hurt.
I know my BBall IQ is lower than an infant child. I will take you up on that six-pack though, if you promise to split it with me.
whoa! do i get in on this six pack??? i like beer too.
Splitting a six pack three ways is like kissing your sister (ha ha).
No one wins. We will need more beer.
true
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