LIVE BLOG CHAT - MSU vs Oklahoma: Sweet 16

Join the ES at 9:30 ET tonight for a LIVE CHAT - Cover it Live open for comments all evening as we watch the Spartans take on the Sooners in the Sweet 16 - on TBS.  Will go live immediately upon the end of Louisville-NC State.

Live Blog MSU vs Oklahoma, 2015 NCAA Men's Hoops Sweet 16

 

ES bracket for Midwest

ES filled out his bracket... and filled one out at the Peanut Barrell, as well!   The perfect Midwest bracket is before your eyes:

#4 Spartans favored by 1 over #1 Indiana

What a barn-burner.  Michigan State, now standing at #4 in the nation after its whipping of Michigan and Penn State last week, is favored by a mere point over the stand-up, top-ranked #1 Indiana Hoosiers.  This winner of this game may very well set the table for the regular-season, Big Ten Championship. 

Tipoff is 7 pm tomorrow from the Breslin.   Should be a freaking GREAT game.

WEAR WHITE.  GO GREEN!

Spartans to the Promised Land! Go GREEN!

COME ON BIG GREEN!  Take us to the Promised Land!  National Title, case A:  Long Island U at  Brooklyn...This is OUR YEAR!  We know it, we can feel it!

The ES hasn't been this JACKED for an opening round Michigan State game since 2000.  You can feel it.  Green, Appling, Nix, Payne, Thornton, Wood, Trice, and Kearney are the BEST TEAM, the BEST DEFENSIVE EIGHT in America. 

Can't wait to watch this TEAM ROCK THE WORLD TO THE PROMISED LAND! 

10 warm thoughts about MSU beating Ohio State and earning a #1 seed in the tourney

Top 10 list of Michigan State's dominating victory over Ohio State to claim the B1G Ten title OUTRIGHT. This is in order, from the 10th best to the ultimate best:

10. Watching OSU's Sullinger sulk, after once again stymied to his best effort against MSU, just a 7-19 shooting (37%) and 9 rebounds stint. Thanks to the Spartan BIG trio of Green-Payne-Nix
9. Beating the Buckeyes two of the last three, both away from the Breslin Center.
8. Eddie Hightower wasn't on the court.
7. Tom Izzo's technical foul at the end of the first half, sending a signal for defensive intensity.
6. Draymond Green three-pointer with 1:36 remaining to DEFINE HIS PLACE as Big Ten Player of the Year
5. Derrick Nix jumper in the post over Sullinger with 5:17 left, just showing that Sullinger is no wise-guy and that Sullinger's sh*t still stinks.
4. Brandon Wood, 21 pts. Thank you Valpo.
3. MSU wins the B1G Ten outright, first title since 2000, when we won the national title.
2. Big Green gets #1 seed, first since 2000, when we won the national title.
1. Knowing in every single time MSU has earned a #5 seed or better since 1998, Michigan State has reached the Final Four 6 of 7 times (the other time, we made the Elite 8 in 2008 as a #5 seed).  NICE. 

Three in a row: Spartans destroy Boilers

Did you watch the nationally televised game today, Michigan State AT (may I repeat, AT) Purdue?  The Spartans completely destroyed the Boilermakers in a 76-62 victory. MSU's solid defensive intensity in the second half, particularly the inside play by Green, Nix, and Payne, literally ripped apart the Boilermakers.  At one stretch, Purdue went 1-21 shooting -- part just cold shooting, but mostly GREAT Spartan defense -- that helped to eliminate the team from West Lafayette, Indiana.  By the time Branden Dawson pulled off a windmill (or wheelhouse) slam-dunk (photo courtesy MSU Media Relations) off a clean break away, the Spartans were leaving the Boilers in the dust.

This is the third of consecutive, THREE DOMINATING PERFORMANCES against the three toughest teams in the Izzo era: double-digit waxing at Ohio State, at Purdue, and against Wisconsin.  Wow.

If you read Hammer and Rails, they need to wake up and smell the coffee - they could play us 10 times with all their players, and we'd win 10 times.... OK, there was some of Purdue's poor performance, but far far more, it was more that PURDUE WAS OUTCLASSED... it was Michigan State is GREAT.  Purdue ain't.

It was an embarrassing second stanza for Purdue, which had no answer for MSU.  MSU shot 51% and held Purdon't to 34% for the game.

Yes, Spartan fans, it is easy to say right now Michigan State is playing as well as any team in the nation.  Depth, bigs, good stewardship from guards, diversity in shooting... rebounding domination (38-27 edge by MSU today; ranked #3 in the country in rebounding margin)... and an improving Assist-to-TO margin (16 assists vs. just 8 TOs today).... just unreal efficiency by MSU so far.

Draymond Green had another yawner, just 20 pts, 10 rebs and 7 assists -- adding yet another tally to his B1G Ten Player of the Year trophy-in-waiting.  MSU's Freshmen of the Year, Dawson (the next Jason Richardson), was spectacular with the multiple hamstrings-like-rubber-bands in each leg, jumping through the roof on the way to add another double-double to Green's, with 15 pts and 11 rebs.

Check out how impressive MSU's last five games:

Opponent	Pts	Opp Pts	Diff	FG%	Opp FG%	Diff%	Reb	Opp Reb	Reb Diff	Green         P-R-A
vs 22 Mich	64	54	10	52.2	39.6	12.6	39	15	24	14-16-4
vs Penn St	77	57	20	43.4	38.5	4.9	41	22	19	23-12-5
@ 3 Ohio St	58	48	10	40.4	26.4	14.0	35	32	3	12-9-2
vs 17 Wisc	69	55	14	52.2	34.0	18.2	27	33	-6	20-10-5
@ Purdue	76	62	14	50.8	33.8	17.0	38	27	11	20-10-7
AVERAGES	69	55	14	47.8%	34.5%	13.3	36	26	10

What really stands out is: 1) only allowing 55.2 ppg; 2) holding opponents to just 35% shooting on average; 3) shooting by 13% better per game than opponents on average; 4) outrebounding by an average of 10+ per game; and Draymond's three double-doubles with 20+pts AND 5+ assists.  THIS SPELLS VICTORY and, look at the consistency...

Is MSU a great team now?  YES.  And, it is Izzo-time... Time to cruise to another Final Four and hopeful National Title.  This team is the BEST Spartan hoops team since our 2000 team with Mateen Cleaves.  The similarity?  Leadership (Green=Cleaves) and team chemistry.

If you aren't watching the Spartan hoops, you should be.  It's been broken down from last year, and this year rebuilt from the inside out, with defense FIRST.  This team is on ABSOLUTE FIRE and is amazing to watch.  GO GREEN.

Michigan State creates hoops on USS Carl Vinson, 11/11/11

Yup, it is finally confirmed.  Michigan State University will play the University of North Carolina on the USS Carl Vinson, on 11/11/11, that's Veterans Day. Notably, the Vinson was the Carrier which disposed of the body of Osama Bin Laden.  This harkens back to a premonition reported by the ES back in 2003...

The ESPN-produced game will feature two college basketball powerhouses, North Carolina and Michigan State, playing each other on the deck of the Carl Vinson while some 7,000 special invitees, mostly military personnel and their families watch from the bleachers specialy constructed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, docked in San Diego.  Also at the carrier, Navy will play Air Force.  In case it rains, there will be another court built: "one for the hangar deck below in case it does rain. Although the court will be surrounded by temporary stadium seating, there are plans for some kind of wind screen in an attempt to match the controlled environment basketball games are played in."

Congrats to AD Mark Hollis for creating an amazing opportunity.
 
This was originally announced on October 3, 2010... however, the idea dates back to May 20, 2003, when the Enlightened Spartan floated the idea about hosting a football game on an aircraft carrier.  This was covered on Scout.com in 2004.

Here's a look at the Breslin Floor - hinting at the occasion:

#10 Michigan State to face #7 UCLA in Southeast on Thursday

Michigan State lands #10 seed in Southeast vs. #7 UCLA on Thursday. A victory moves onto the third round vs. #2 Florida or #15 UCSB on Saturday. Sweet 16 includes St Johns/Gonzaga, BYU/Wofford. Love the first two rounds. ES feels comfy about a Sweet 16 run...

Washington DC

1 PITT vs UNCA/UALR

8 BUT vs 9 ODU 3/17

Tucson

5 KSU vs 12 USU 3/17

4 WIS vs 13 BEL 3/17

Denver

6 SJU vs 11 GONZ 3/17

3 BYU vs 14 WOF 3/17

Tampa

7 UCLA vs 10 MSU 3/17

2 FLA vs 15 UCSB 3/17

MSU: 11/11/11 Hoops, Ships, Wings, and Sans Lucious

As indicated with the paint job, 11/11/11 on the Breslin Center floor.... and as noted by ESPN, it looks like it will be a reality. Ink in Michigan State, North Carolina, San Diego State, and the Naval Academy... to play on Veterans Day 2011 in San Diego. Freaking genius... though the ES put a little fools' gold in the Spartan Nation about a football game on the Nimitz back in 2003..

MSU - Lucious vs. scUM = 16 pt win

Tonight, MSU is a 10 point favorite over the scUM Yellow Bellies in the post-Lucious era. The game could not have come at a better time, as the struggling Big Green should light fire and get back on track after a brutal first half of the season. Korie Lucious was playing poorly, misfiring on his passes and his shots -- moreover, he was a distraction for the team. As Izzo showed him the door, it provided an opportunity and impetus to get the chemistry right. As the unmatchable and loveable Dickie-V put it: "Don't fall asleep on the Spartans." Yes, that would be foolish, and Izzo will just prove you naysayers wrong, once again, for the umpteenth time, as one of the Final Four teams standing in March Madness. The Big Green need to shore up its defense and contest more shots, and need the ball to just go in (something Lucious couldn't provide)...... but methinks Sparty will be dancing mightily come March.

Prediction: Michigan State 78, Michigan 62.

Predictions? MSU vs Texas

Rex predicts a 77-74 MSU victory over Texas tonite. Yet, CBS Sports predicts 76-74 Texas... The Spread predicts an MSU victory, despite the Big Green as a 5 1/2-pt favorite. And, Cappers pickes predicts a 68-65 Texas win.

Da ES? MSU comes out after a few days off by taking it out on the Horns. Lucas and Summers will get off. MSU 82 Texas 70.

TOM IZZO STAYS AT MICHIGAN STATE

TOM IZZO IS A SPARTAN! HE STAYS!

Just announced in East Lansing, 6:45 pm on Tuesday. WILX TV-10 with Tim Staudt (link here).

GO WIN A NATIONAL TITLE. WE LOVE YOU TOM! No money in the world can take you way from the East Lansing community that loves and cherishes you so much!

Confirmed reports of discussion with Board of Trustees earlier in the day.

THANK YOU!!!!

Where else are you gonna get this much love, signs and rallies just to keep you around, and go out on your career on TOP as one of the greatest ever.... the risk is too great, and it is something you can't buy. Coach, you belong at Michigan State, you have built this program into an empire, and this year may be the greatest team you've ever had. You are MSU, and we Spartans are proud to acknowledge it.

WE LOVE IZZO photos - it is everywhere

WE LOVE IZZO spreads across Michigan

The "WE LOVE IZZO" campaign is in full bloom. AS noted in today's Lansing State Journal, thousands of signs, banners, and what-have-you-nots are decorating the greater Lansing area in a sway to KEEP IZZO AT MICHIGAN STATE. The ES saw signs up and down Okemos Road by the Meridian Mall, just this afternoon.

Check out the website and support the cause, anything we can do to keep our beloved coach from making a decision that speaks to his and our hearts - Izzo BELONGS at Michigan State.

http://weloveizzo.com/

Michigan State hoops 2009 & 2010 - a collage

How good were the past two years? Michigan State finished in the final polls, #2 in 2009 and #4 in 2010. Chock, out in San Francisco, was kind enough to pull together a pair of collages from each of the past two years. Click on each of the images to enlarge. Thanks, C.

GO GREEN!

62% of MSU Final Four players graduated

It must be database day. The Indy Star put out a fascinating piece today, a database of the graduation status of all the students who played in the Final Four from 1991-2007. So, the ES types in "Michigan State", and...

"Michigan State appeared in the Final Four four times during the period studied (1999, 2000, 2001, 2005). 62 percent of Final Four players received a degree from Michigan State. Michigan State ranks 12th in graduation rate of Final Four players compared to other schools in the study."

Ager, Maurice	Michigan State	2005	No		Details
Anagonye, Aloysius	Michigan State	2001	Yes		Details
Anagonye, Aloysius	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Anderson, Alan	Michigan State	2005	Yes		Details
Ballinger, Adam	Michigan State	2001	Yes		Details
Ballinger, Adam	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Bell, Charlie	Michigan State	2001	Yes		Details
Bell, Charlie	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Bell, Charlie	Michigan State	1999	Yes		Details
Bograkos, Tim	Michigan State	2005	Yes		Details
Brown, Shannon	Michigan State	2005	No		Details
Chappell, Mike	Michigan State	2001	Yes		Details
Chappell, Mike	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Cleaves, Mateen	Michigan State	2000	No		Details
Cleaves, Mateen	Michigan State	1999	No		Details
Davis, Doug	Michigan State	1999	No		Details
Davis, Paul	Michigan State	2005	Yes		Details
Granger, A.J.	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Granger, A.J.	Michigan State	1999	Yes		Details
Hill, Chris	Michigan State	2005	Yes		Details
Hutson, Andre	Michigan State	2001	Yes		Details
Hutson, Andre	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Hutson, Andre	Michigan State	1999	Yes		Details
Kelley, Thomas	Michigan State	1999			Details
Klein, Jason	Michigan State	1999	Yes		Details

Naymick, Drew	Michigan State	2005	Yes		Details
Neitzel, Drew	Michigan State	2005	No		Details
Peterson, Morris	Michigan State	2000	Yes		Details
Peterson, Morris	Michigan State	1999	Yes		Details
Richardson, Jason	Michigan State	2001	No		Details
Richardson, Jason	Michigan State	2000	No		Details
Smith, Antonio	Michigan State	1999	Block		Details
Smith, Brandon	Michigan State	2001			Details
Taylor, Marcus	Michigan State	2001	Block		Details
Thomas, David	Michigan State	2001			Details
Thomas, David	Michigan State	2000			Details
Torbert, Kelvin	Michigan State	2005	No		Details
Trannon, Matt	Michigan State	2005	No		Details