Izzo-ver

[Warrior of Law]

The stretch with Ross ad Joplin throwing the ball away for 5 consecutive possessions was the difference. Good comeback and plenty to build on. Could’ve used some leadership in that stretch, or at least a TO.

[tower912]

I think MSU's defense was the deciding factor in the game. 

[MUeng]

If you watched that game and didnt think MU pissed it away, then I dont even know what say.

They turned the ball over so often, when they could have extended the lead. Most of the turnovers were unforced and Kolek just playing bad. There is not a talent gap.  We are not talking about Izzo's career, just this game/season.

pissed it away, maybe to a point. But MSU certainly had something to do with that via scheme and defensive pressure we haven't seen all year. Gotta give them credit, mediocre big ten team or not

[Uncle Rico]

I think MSU's defense was the deciding factor in the game.

It wasn’t. 

[5DollarPitcher]

All the people saying we have a talent problem are nuts. We were far more talented than MSU, we just blew it.

OMax had Hauser in hell
Oso got whatever he wanted against their big guy, but couldn't finish
Kam Jones was the best player on the floor
Tyler Kolek was replaced by a stunt double

[Daniel]

No we didnt….TK did….everyone else did enough.

Nah the team did not do enough to cover as they are supposed to do.   Just a bad game overall and a though time to have one.  MSU was not impressive.  And we did stop a lot of their threes tho

[hairy worthen]

pissed it away, maybe to a point. But MSU certainly had something to do with that via scheme and defensive pressure we haven't seen all year. Gotta give them credit, mediocre big ten team or not

Kolek not being himself was huge. We made their defense look good.

[LAZER]

I think MSU's defense was the deciding factor in the game.

Tyler’s poor play was the biggest factor today. Not sure how much I’d attribute that to MSU’s defense.

[Shooter McGavin]

Question:

If this game was played 10 times .. what'd be the result?

TBH, I'm going with MSU 8, MU 2.    I think Izzo was masterful today and he'd well contain MU over multiple games.

I disagree.  Too many self inflicted wounds today.  They played as poorly as they have all year and were in the game inexplicably.  If MU brought their C game they win.  I would go 80-20 the other way.

[We R Final Four]

Nah the team did not do enough to cover as they are supposed to do.   Just a bad game overall and a though time to have one.  MSU was not impressive.  And we did stop a lot of their threes tho

No player was further from the average than TK. Everyone else was adequate?
Who played significantly poorly compared to their season average? Chase maybe.

[Johnny B]

Johnny, UConn did it to us. Today we did it to us.

Yep ur right. Think it’s safe to say this was the worst performance of the season. Just brutal beyond belief. oh well I’m 80% over it at this point

[Bad_Reporter]

I understand all of the “if TK was average we win” but what if MSU made 1/2 their 3 pointers?  We could have easily been blown out this game.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Let’s see what Shaka and boys can do next year, but his subpar performance in the NCAA is upsetting. (Yes I know he didn’t contribute to the turnovers, but ultimately he needs to get the gang to pull it together)

Overall, B season imo

[DegenerateDish]

I think MSU's defense was the deciding factor in the game.

Definitely wasn’t.

Final 3:36 of the game after Omax misses the and 1 (MSU up 56-55):

Walker layup
Hoggard layup
Walker 6’ jumper
Walker 2 FT’s
Walker dunk

MU goes from down 1 to down 11 in that 3 minute stretch. They had no answer to stopping MSU.

If MU’s shopping for something this offseason, I’ll take a 6’4” 3 & D guard please.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Definitely wasn’t.

Final 3:36 of the game after Omax misses the and 1 (MSU up 56-55):

Walker layup
Hoggard layup
Walker 6’ jumper
Walker 2 FT’s
Walker dunk

MU goes from down 1 to down 11 in that 3 minute stretch. They had no answer to stopping MSU.

If MU’s shopping for something this offseason, I’ll take a 6’4” 3 & D guard please.

We’ll hopefully Norman and Lowery can help in this regard because that’s what’s coming in.

[muhoops1]

Definitely wasn’t.

Final 3:36 of the game after Omax misses the and 1 (MSU up 56-55):

Walker layup
Hoggard layup
Walker 6’ jumper
Walker 2 FT’s
Walker dunk

MU goes from down 1 to down 11 in that 3 minute stretch. They had no answer to stopping MSU.

If MU’s shopping for something this offseason, I’ll take a 6’4” 3 & D guard please.

Tre Norman is 6’3” so…

[MUBurrow]

I'm not trying to make excuses, but I think Kolek's injury really affected his handle.  A lot of what makes him successful is his confidence dribbling into nooks and crannies in a defense, and then craftily putting up a floater, reverse, or passing out of it. I don't think he felt confident on the bounce, and without that his game kinda falls apart.

Put me in the "Izzo was great" camp.  Sure some of the TOs were bad, but I think a lot were also byproducts of frustration and uncertainty with what MSU took away.  Kam hardly got to the rim today - I think Stevie probably had the most drives to the hoop, and unfortunately he's our worst finisher.  Izzo made Joey look like a competent defender.  Joplin had no space and no real impact on the game. The turnovers are the end result, but I disagree they were unforced.

As for defense, their guards took us apart.  We had a lot of trouble staying in front on the dribble. When Kam get's iso'd, we're in real trouble.

[WarriorDoc]

I understand all of the “if TK was average we win” but what if MSU made 1/2 their 3 pointers?  We could have easily been blown out this game.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Let’s see what Shaka and boys can do next year, but his subpar performance in the NCAA is upsetting. (Yes I know he didn’t contribute to the turnovers, but ultimately he needs to get the gang to pull it together)

Overall, B season imo

That's certainly a take.

When consensus expectations are to be a cellar-dweller in the Big East (and therefore, highly unlikely to make the tourney) and you win the Big East Regular Season and Tourney Championships, BEPOY, BE6Man of the Year, and get to the round of 32 - you consider that a B? 

[tower912]

If MU’s shopping for something this offseason, I’ll take a 6’4” 3 & D guard please.

Mitchell 6'2
Kam 6'4
Chase 6'4
Tre 6'4
Lowery 6'4
Ellis 6'5 (or more)

How many more would fit on the roster.   

[Bad_Reporter]

That's certainly a take.

When consensus expectations are to be a cellar-dweller in the Big East (and therefore, highly unlikely to make the tourney) and you win the Big East Regular Season and Tourney Championships, BEPOY, BE6Man of the Year, and get to the round of 32 - you consider that a B?

I do only because when you’re a 2 seed, win the BEast regular season and tournament, I would expect to make the second week.

Judging off preseason expectation, you’re right probably an A. 

Still above average, but the way the bracket turned out, a FF was ripe for the picking. 

[MUfan12]

This is how high I am on Tre Norman... MU wins that game tonight with him. He's exactly what they need. Strong, good handle, really solid in PNR. He would have put up more resistance to Hoggard than TK did.

[Goose]

Jesse

Hope all is well!!

[DegenerateDish]

Mitchell 6'2
Kam 6'4
Chase 6'4
Tre 6'4
Lowery 6'4
Ellis 6'5 (or more)

How many more would fit on the roster.

Chase is the closest 3 & D guy on the current roster, certainly not Mitchell & Kam.

[Bad_Reporter]

Jesse

Hope all is well!!

Great seeing your post all year Mother-Goose!  You got the band all wound up, and were absolutely correct on Shaka!

Be well!

[Johnny B]

This is how high I am on Tre Norman... MU wins that game tonight with him. He's exactly what they need. Strong, good handle, really solid in PNR. He would have put up more resistance to Hoggard than TK did.

Hope ur right. Wouldn’t mind him starting over stevie. Love the guy but having a starting guard with such little scoring ability is huge liability

[tower912]

Chase is the closest 3 & D guy on the current roster, certainly not Mitchell & Kam.

Mitchell is a tremendous defender.
Kam is a good three point shooter.

There is an offseason of work to come.