The State of MSU Basketball

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.