MSU Poised for Tourney Run

It's March.  And as everyone knows, that's Izzo's month.  Last night the Spartans had their first tournament game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Tournament.  And despite all my Hawkeye Up! chants, MSU, after trailing all game, rallied and beat the Hawkeyes 59-56.

Before any of my Spartan fans yell at me, I was pulling for the Hawkeyes because I thought it was comical that they were flirting with a real possibility of making it to the big dance.  And as I told a couple of my friends weeks ago, (and have the texts to prove it) if Iowa were playing Michigan, I would have pulled equally as hard for Hawkeye Nation.  HAWKEYE UP HAWKEYE UP! (yes it'd making fun of Purdue's stupid cheer.  Toot Toot.)

I watched most of the game at a very loud diner, so I could hardly tell what was going on, but here's what I did see.  Iowa held the lead all game, then collapsed like Michigan with a lead; MSU built a pretty decent late lead (8 points I believe correct me if I'm wrong) and then they decided it was time to play like Michigan late in the game, and let Iowa storm back and cut it to one.  Then benefitted from what looked to me like a very questionable foul call, and in very unMichiganlike fashion, made both free throws and sealed the deal.

As sad as I am for Hawkeye Nation for once again not getting that prom invitation from their secret crush, I am not surprised at all, even with Iowa holding a double digit lead for a significant portion of the game.  Because it's March.  And Izzo does March.  I honestly don't know why I see so many Spartan freak outs after losses, wait til March.  Save those couches for March, imagine how big that fire would be.

Adrien Payne is finally playing like the game changer that he is with his size and athleticism.  And Gary Harris is the real deal.  Combine those two with Izzo's insane ability to win in March, and you have a team poised for a Final Four run.

But they aren't perfect, no team in college basketball is this season.  I mean we have Gonzaga as the #1 team... Gonzaga.  Just let that sink in for a moment people... The same school that produced Adam Morrison.

Although Derrick Nix has improved year after year, he still has about as much endurance as I do.  Plus it doesn't help that he's an easy target for cheap foul calls.  And then there's plenty of instances where he earns the foul.  He's also prone to frustration fouls/mistakes, like last night's technical.

And I'm sure I don't need to tell any Spartan fan about the question mark that is Keith Appling.  He's a stud point guard, then he's as dumb as a sack of potatoes, and as useful as one too.  He's the key to how far MSU will go.  The Spartans can't afford inconsistent and shaky play from their point guard, no team can.

Today against Ohio State will be an interesting matchup.  Payne will probably get the bulk of the duties on Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft is probably the most annoying player to ever play basketball.  Ultimately, this game is important for both teams.  Michigan's loss opens the door for these two teams to try to snag a two seed.  If MSU wins, I think they'll be a 2 seed and play at the Palace.  But since my bracketolgy knowledge is about as equivalent as my biology knowledge, I'm probably wrong.

But here's what I do know.  Michigan State has got a balanced team, and strong enough bigs to bang around with any team in the country.  And Tom Izzo is at the helm.  This team is poised for a deep tournament run this March.

The Tale of Two Halves; Michigan Falls to Badgers

How to beat Michigan:  Step one: Foul them.  They can't make free throws, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.

Step Two:  Pound it inside.  You will be met with little resistance. (Again, ask Indiana and Wisconsin.)

Michigan had a chance to silence some doubters and get a revenge game against Wisconsin after the Badgers beat them in the only regular season matchup in dramatic fashion.  I am not recapping it because I don't like being sad and angry.

But today, Michigan proved once again, that they are not tough and can be bullied.  Wisconsin shot an incredible 17% in the first half, and miraculously only trailed by 3.  Michigan went 0-4 from the stripe in the first half, and also failed to make a three point basket.

Then in the second half, Wisconsin had their way with Michigan and then some, pounding the ball inside at will, which opened up the arch for it's three point shooters.  Wisconsin scored 51 second half points.  And anyone who's seen Wisconsin play a game knows that 51 points in a game for them is an accomplishments, let alone 20 minutes.

But Michigan's bigs got worked and offered no resistance.  Not even little resistance, no resistance.  But Michigan rallied from an 11 point deficit to get it to two late in the game.  But they're 7 (10-17) missed free throws loomed too large and Wisconsin got momentum back by, you guessed it, out working the Wolverines inside and getting free throws.  

In any tight game, free throws are a deciding factor.  Michigan lost to Indiana because they failed to make free throws down the stretch.  Had Michigan made free throws in this one, the half time lead would have been bigger, and those 7 points would have loomed large late in this one.

And on the other end, Wisconsin made they're free throws, going 16-21 from the line, a +6 point differential to Michigan's 10-17.

There isn't much else to add.  Michigan shot poor from three, poor from the field, poor from the line.  The defense got worked in the second half, and Michigan had no consistency on offense.  This is not a good way to go into the tournament.  

Unless Michigan dials up the defense and makes some free throws, this run won't go past the Sweet 16.  Coach Beilein has got his work cut out for him.

SIDEBAR:

I saw something on Twitter that really irked me.  I saw "fans" attempting to trend #FireBelein.  Really? Fire Beilein?  Why? Because we didn't win a share of the Big Ten? Because we didn't win the Big Ten Tournament?  It's not like we've been a top ten team all year in the best conference in college basketball.

Why don't you all who hopped on this bandwagon drink a nice glass of calm down juice, get back to me in a week and see if you feel the same way.  Guarantee you won't.