Whooo. We needed a
game like this, especially to build some confidence leading into Michigan on
Sunday. Since the last post, we lackadaisically
lost at Nebraska and then rebounded against Rutgers. However I wouldn’t say we played exceptionally
well, particularly in the first half, again showing how inconsistent this team has been all year. Playing
against the worst team in the conference, we were able to wear them down and
take control of the game in the second half. This is a team that nearly beat
Kansas and Notre Dame, thoroughly outplayed Indiana, and has a win at
Iowa. However it’s also a team that has
lost to Texas Southern at home, squandered a 3 point lead in the final seconds
to lose at home to Maryland, and then was blown-out by the Terrapins again in
College Park. When this team is on, they
can play and beat anyone, however they’re not good enough to have an off-night
in the Big 10 and escape with a win.
The best word to describe the team this year is frustrating.
Frustrating because they consistently make the same mistakes, every game. Gavin Schilling is synonymous with “foul
trouble.” Denzel Valentine has also found
himself in foul trouble more often than not. Travis Trice still hasn’t learned
that he will not get the foul call if he just drives straight to the basket in
transition. And we consistently make bad
turnovers that lead touchdowns (two easy points), or kill momentum. Overall, it’s just sloppy play and poor
decision-making every game. It’s one
thing if a team defends Trice & Valentine well and they’re just not making their
shots. But for the team to beat
themselves, constantly shooting themselves in the foot, turning the ball over,
and spending half the game on the bench in foul trouble can weigh on even the
most optimistic of Spartan fans.
Yet we saw plenty of things to like in the Rutgers game. There is no doubt that Branden
Dawson is the team’s best player. His
energy has picked up considerably of late, and I think it’s no coincidence to
see him playing better without the cast on his hand. I also think Matt Costello played very
well. He’s another player who needed to
improve his play this season in the absence of Adrien Payne, but didn’t have
the confidence in his game at the start of the year that he does know. Although Schilling had a minimal impact in
this game, those two are important for success in the Big Ten the rest of the way. Yet this team will need Trice and
Valentine at their best to make a run at the Big Ten championship. Bryn Forbes’s shot was on, and when that happens, good things follow. Lastly Tum Tum showed
some good things in the second half, scoring a career high.
Overall, we exploited Rutgers’ lack of depth and skill, made our free throws, shot the ball well, and pounded on in the second half to put the game away.
Other Tidbits
McDonald’s All-Americans
Deyonta
Davis was named a McDonald’s All-American, the first MSU in-coming freshman
to play in the game since Gary Harris.
Target Caleb
Swanigan was also named to the team.
MSU has been named as one of his finalists; however his guardian
recently said that they will be waiting until the spring to make a decision as
they’d like to see what players are on each of his finalists. Playing time is also a big factor, which he
should receive plenty of if he comes to MSU.
His finalists are Kentucky, Purdue, MSU, Duke, Cal, New Mexico, Arizona
and Louisville.
MSU Football Receives Three Commitments.
LB Drake Martinez (Saddleback C.C.) will likely play STAR linebacker and will have three years of eligibility left. Brother of former Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez, he originally enrolled at Nebraska before transferring to Saddleback Community College.Twins Andrew & David Dowell (St. Edward Ohio) are decommits from Kentucky. Andrew will likely play strong safety, while David will first get a shot at corner, but could move to wide receiver as well.
The 2015 class is nearly complete, as Arizona defensive end Cassius
Peat seems to be the last possible addition before signing day on Wednesday. Although listed as a UCLA commit, he may
still make an unofficial visit to MSU in the next week.
BIG RECRUITING WEEKEND
Football will also have a lot of top 2016 targets on campus,
as many will take in the Michigan State vs Michigan basketball game. Visitors include Donnie
Corley, Michael
Jordan, Khalid
Kareem, Thiyo
Lukusa, Austin
Mack, Martell
Pettaway, and Austin
Robertson.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
It’s been reported that WR Keith
Mumphery received an invitation to the NFL scouting combine after a strong
performance at the East-West Shrine Game, likely joining Jeremy Langford, Tony
Lippett, and Kurtis Drummond. The
official invite list will be announced the first week of February.
HOCKEY PREVIEW
Michigan State hockey plays at Joe Louis Arena against
Michigan on Saturday. This counts as one
of MSU’s two home games against Michigan this year, as the Detroit game rotates
as the home game for each school each year.
Michigan is currently first in the Big 10 standings, with Michigan State
third.
VIDEOS OF THE WEEK
Trailer for Keenen Wetzel’s short film The Cager has been
released, featuring former Spartan Delvon Roe.
This is the first decent 2014 Football Highlight Videos has been uploaded on YouTube. Enjoy.
