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The Official Michigan, MSU Thread (CLOSED)

  • Jandy said...

    This is the best basketball I've ever seen this early in a college basketball season. I'm serious. Granted, even when healthy Northwestern is wildly inconsistent. But UM is playing at a very high level.

    I have an honest question; do any of you worry that they might be peaking too soon? I am a firm believer that a national title is 40% talent, 40% peaking in March, and 20% dumb luck and health.

    So the question is twofold. Do you share my philosophy and, if yes, do you think UM will struggle to maintain this peak for 3 more months?

    I wouldn't say "peaking early", but the longer they go undefeated, the bigger the bullseye. How they respond to the first loss will define their season, IMO.

    signature image signature image signature image

    MSU isn't a very good football program.. takes year of consistent winning to get to that level. - copemoney 1/22/13

    Due51

  • Jandy said...

    This is the best basketball I've ever seen this early in a college basketball season. I'm serious. Granted, even when healthy Northwestern is wildly inconsistent. But UM is playing at a very high level.

    I have an honest question; do any of you worry that they might be peaking too soon? I am a firm believer that a national title is 40% talent, 40% peaking in March, and 20% dumb luck and health.

    So the question is twofold. Do you share my philosophy and, if yes, do you think UM will struggle to maintain this peak for 3 more months?

    It's a fair question. However we're doing this with nearly half of our team being true freshmen. In most cases I would be worried, but with the freshmen continuing to develop as the season progresses, Burke continuing to man the floor, and Beilein as the coach, I am confident we can and will keep this up.

    Only thing that could derail this season is injury, but that's obvious.

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    Mitch Again ●

  • Michigan played really well in their basketball game. I don't care if NW doesn't have Hern or Crawford.

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    Stealing Sparty's recruits and owning them on the field since 1898

    msucantmakebcs ●

  • Jandy said...

    This is the best basketball I've ever seen this early in a college basketball season. I'm serious. Granted, even when healthy Northwestern is wildly inconsistent. But UM is playing at a very high level.

    I have an honest question; do any of you worry that they might be peaking too soon? I am a firm believer that a national title is 40% talent, 40% peaking in March, and 20% dumb luck and health.

    So the question is twofold. Do you share my philosophy and, if yes, do you think UM will struggle to maintain this peak for 3 more months?

    Not really. I don't think that Michigan has peaked yet. I just think that Michigan (for the first time in a long time) has the talent to simply overpower a lot of teams. I think after they suffer a few losses they will find out what they need to work on to improve their game (defense is the primary concern right now, as well as closing out games).

    As far as peaking at the right time, Michigan fans can only hope that Hardaway and Burke's leadership abilities continue to improve, and that a guy like Stauskas can continue to knock down shots regardless of the situation.

    This is somewhat off topic, but I think when Michigan plays against some of the better big men in the country they are going to employ the hack a shaq method (at least to some extent).

    Edit: If Stauskas can continue to work on getting to the basket, then he could really be a matchup problem for teams since they have to respect his ability to shoot the three.

    This post was edited by hownowbrowncow on 1/3/2013 at 8:31 PM

    hownowbrowncow ●

  • elmn12 said...

    Not really. I don't think that Michigan has peaked yet. I just think that Michigan (for the first time in a long time) has the talent to simply overpower a lot of teams. I think after they suffer a few losses they will find out what they need to work on to improve their game (defense is the primary concern right now, as well as closing out games).

    As far as peaking at the right time, Michigan fans can only hope that Hardaway and Burke's leadership abilities continue to improve, and that a guy like Stauskas can continue to knock down shots regardless of the situation.

    This is somewhat off topic, but I think when Michigan plays against some of the better big men in the country they are going to employ the hack a shaq method (at least to some extent).

    Edit: If Stauskas can continue to work on getting to the basket, then he could really be a matchup problem for teams since they have to respect his ability to shoot the three.

    Good points, all.

    I did notice, as you allude to, Northwestern's big man even gave some problems. Will be interesting to see how Michigan handles big men like Nix, Payne, Zeller, etc. Idk, maybe they've already played good big men? At least to Nix and Payne's level, probably. Probably haven't played an elite big like Zeller.

    It definitely will be interesting to see how UM handles a physical team, or even just a couple physical guys in the paint.

    Honestly, when you play Indiana it will probably just be first team to 100. But teams that play physical like MSU, or even Minnesota this year, and teams that play deliberately slow like Wisconsin will be interesting to watch too. Those are the games where shooters and finesse players like Hardaway and Stauskas can struggle, and Burke will have to completely carry them for stretches. He's 100% capable, but it will be fun to watch.

    Beyond that, like others have said, I want to see how they respond after a tough loss. But if the tournament started today, while I might not bet for UM, I sure as hell wouldn't bet against them.

    signature image

    laconophilia is everywhere... http://www.msu-umbig10.com/

    Jandy

  • Jandy said...

    Good points, all.

    I did notice, as you allude to, Northwestern's big man even gave some problems. Will be interesting to see how Michigan handles big men like Nix, Payne, Zeller, etc. Idk, maybe they've already played good big men? At least to Nix and Payne's level, probably. Probably haven't played an elite big like Zeller.

    It definitely will be interesting to see how UM handles a physical team, or even just a couple physical guys in the paint.

    Honestly, when you play Indiana it will probably just be first team to 100. But teams that play physical like MSU, or even Minnesota this year, and teams that play deliberately slow like Wisconsin will be interesting to watch too. Those are the games where shooters and finesse players like Hardaway and Stauskas can struggle, and Burke will have to completely carry them for stretches. He's 100% capable, but it will be fun to watch.

    Beyond that, like others have said, I want to see how they respond after a tough loss. But if the tournament started today, while I might not bet for UM, I sure as hell wouldn't bet against them.

    It's really going to be up to Michigan's backcourt to make up for the lack of a dominant (or even above average) big man. The only positive that I can get out of Michigan's bigs is that Morgan was all by himself last year and Michigan proved that it could beat some teams with some pretty good big men (OSU, MSU, and IU in particular). At least this year McGary can come in and play some quality minutes and rebound well (hopefully Horford can come back within the next month and provide 8-12 minutes as well). Having McGary and Horford (eventually) at least alleviates my fears about Michigan being forced to have a lineup without anyone over 6'6.

    I don't know if I said it in this thread or another one, but I think the best case scenario for Michigan's bigs is if they can be garbage men who grab 15-20 rebounds a night, and pick up 15-20 easy points from layups, dunks, and put-backs.

    hownowbrowncow ●

  • Colorado just got screwed in their game with Arizona. They hit a bank shot three that was clearly off with .1 seconds on the clock and the refs disallowed it.

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    Stealing Sparty's recruits and owning them on the field since 1898

    msucantmakebcs ●

  • Jandy said...

    Good points, all.

    I did notice, as you allude to, Northwestern's big man even gave some problems. Will be interesting to see how Michigan handles big men like Nix, Payne, Zeller, etc. Idk, maybe they've already played good big men? At least to Nix and Payne's level, probably. Probably haven't played an elite big like Zeller.

    It definitely will be interesting to see how UM handles a physical team, or even just a couple physical guys in the paint.

    Honestly, when you play Indiana it will probably just be first team to 100. But teams that play physical like MSU, or even Minnesota this year, and teams that play deliberately slow like Wisconsin will be interesting to watch too. Those are the games where shooters and finesse players like Hardaway and Stauskas can struggle, and Burke will have to completely carry them for stretches. He's 100% capable, but it will be fun to watch.

    Beyond that, like others have said, I want to see how they respond after a tough loss. But if the tournament started today, while I might not bet for UM, I sure as hell wouldn't bet against them.

    I don't think that a big man will slow us down. They don't go out to cover shooters.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Stealing Sparty's recruits and owning them on the field since 1898

    msucantmakebcs ●

  • Michigan is awesome at basketball.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky ●

  • SpartanRocky said...

    Michigan is awesome at basketball.

    We suck. We haven't beaten any good teams.
    -signed The Red Cedar Message Board

    signature image signature image signature image

    Stealing Sparty's recruits and owning them on the field since 1898

    msucantmakebcs ●

  • Jandy said...

    This is the best basketball I've ever seen this early in a college basketball season. I'm serious. Granted, even when healthy Northwestern is wildly inconsistent. But UM is playing at a very high level.

    I have an honest question; do any of you worry that they might be peaking too soon? I am a firm believer that a national title is 40% talent, 40% peaking in March, and 20% dumb luck and health.

    So the question is twofold. Do you share my philosophy and, if yes, do you think UM will struggle to maintain this peak for 3 more months?

    How can Michigan be peaking too early when they haven't even peaked yet? shrug

    MrWoodson ●

  • I think Michigan will make a run in the NCAA Tourney. They seem to have a pretty complete team. Plus there's no Chris Webber to call a timeout and ruin the season.

    signature image signature image signature image

    wps88 ●

  • wps88 said...

    I think Michigan will make a run in the NCAA Tourney. They seem to have a pretty complete team. Plus there's no Chris Webber to call a timeout and ruin the season.

    I thought you were leaving tBB? Staying ITT?

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky ●

  • SpartanRocky said...

    I thought you were leaving tBB? Staying ITT?

    You believe everything you read?

    signature image signature image signature image

    wps88 ●

  • wps88 said...

    I think Michigan will make a run in the NCAA Tourney. They seem to have a pretty complete team. Plus there's no Chris Webber to call a timeout and ruin the season.

    They seem like an Elite 8 team but will struggle against more physical, bigger teams, Duke, Louisville, etc..

    copemoney0

  • copemoney0 said...

    They seem like an Elite 8 team but will struggle against more physical, bigger teams, Duke, Louisville, etc..

    Louisville would be an extremely tough game because they are one of the few teams that have a backcourt that could keep up with Michigan's. For Michigan to beat a team like them, a third player would really have to step up and hit some shots.

    Also, part of the knock on Michigan last year was that they didn't have enough talent/size/strength, to match up against elite teams. With the addition of this year's freshman, and the improved strength of Michigan's guards it certainly seems like a lot of those questions have been answered.

    Similar to what Jandy said, I think Michigan's biggest issue will dealing with the lack of an inside presence. Also, they need to work on their depth. It'd be nice if they could find an 8th guy who could put up 12+ minutes a game.

    hownowbrowncow ●

  • I had no idea Bell had over 380 carries and nearly 1,800 yards this season. That's insane.

    MrWoodson ●

  • MrWoodson said...

    I had no idea Bell had over 380 carries and nearly 1,800 yards this season. That's insane.

    General feeling by fans seems to be we didn't use him enough.

    signature image

    "As far as the downvotes. It's a gnat biting an lion" -- A member of tRCMB Justice League, taking the internet WAY WAY too seriously.

    Rocket_Play

  • Rocket_Play said...

    General feeling by fans seems to be we didn't use him enough.

    I knew he was a workhorse and had a couple of huge games (i.e. BSU). I just didn't realize he had nearly 1,800 yards. He should be getting more love from the media for that.

    This post was edited by MrWoodson on 1/4/2013 at 8:58 AM

    MrWoodson ●

  • MrWoodson said...

    I had no idea Bell had over 380 carries and nearly 1,800 yards this season. That's insane.

    You must have SportsCenter on because I just heard Linda Cohn utter those stats too. I was surprised about the 1700 yards. Didn't know he went for that many.

    signature image signature image signature image

    MSU isn't a very good football program.. takes year of consistent winning to get to that level. - copemoney 1/22/13

    Due51

  • MrWoodson said...

    I had no idea Bell had over 380 carries and nearly 1,800 yards this season. That's insane.

    I've said in this thread that I'd be pissed at Bell if he didn't leave. Whether or not this kid from Georgia is any good those numbers would not have changed much.

    He would have gained nothing by staying. It was the only choice.

    signature image signature image signature image

    DWags ●

  • Due51 said...

    You must have SportsCenter on because I just heard Linda Cohn utter those stats too. I was surprised about the 1700 yards. Didn't know he went for that many.

    1793 to be exact. Given the patch-work OL and complete lack of a passing game, I think his 4.7 YPC is pretty darn impressive.

    Remember the year Ringer had 390 carries? He only averaged 4.2 YPC.

    People complaining about Bell leaving are delusional; he has nothing left to prove at this level. I don't think he'll be a featured stud NFL RB, but he should be drafted and be able to stay in the league for a few years.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky ●

  • SpartanRocky said...

    1793 to be exact. Given the patch-work OL and complete lack of a passing game, I think his 4.7 YPC is pretty darn impressive.

    Remember the year Ringer had 390 carries? He only averaged 4.2 YPC.

    People complaining about Bell leaving are delusional; he has nothing left to prove at this level. I don't think he'll be a featured stud NFL RB, but he should be drafted and be able to stay in the league for a few years.

    Imagine what he'd have done with a good/great OL. Instead of fighting off a DT and DE in the backfield to gain 1-2 yards... he'd have been trucking over an LB or safety for 4-8 yards.

    Final Countdown ●

  • wps88 said...

    You believe everything you read?

    I trusted you cry

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky ●

  • Final Countdown said...

    Imagine what he'd have done with a good/great OL. Instead of fighting off a DT and DE in the backfield to gain 1-2 yards... he'd have been trucking over an LB or safety for 4-8 yards.

    If he was running behind Wisky's OL, he'd have a 2000 yard season, no doubt in my mind. Kid's a beast. Best of luck to him; he only has 670ish career carries (Ball has nearly 1,000), so he's not as used up as people might think.

    Michigan State does not and will not run the 3-4 defense.

    SpartanRocky ●

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