Finally! In one night, two monkeys off States back.

Buried_Nick · Post by **Buried_Nick** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:45 pm

0'fer vs. Bo Ryan, and of course, the Big One, no 'W' over a ranked team since spring 2003.

The first monkey wasn't such a big thing, but the second, I think was bothering a lot of people. I read the list of the 12 straight teams MSU had lost to during that streak, and there were a LOT of top 10 teams involved there. And for almost half of them, MSU was Un-ranked, and trying to recover from two key losses from the team. A PG named Marcus Taylor. and a very good big man, Ezrem Lorbek, who left after his freshman year with Paul Davis, who he teamed up with so nicely to beat the defending champs Maryland, and then we lost to Texas in the Great 8. But, just as everyone was looking for a real run in '04, we lose Lorbek. That killed us in some of those Overtime losses, (3 of them) during that streak.

It's ok, boys. I always say the committee always likes a strong finishing team before the Dance. MSU is 10 of their last 11, with the only loss being against #1 and all world Illinois. With a LOT of teams ahead of us in the Coaches poll losing again this week, the Spartans can move a few more spots ahead, maybe even pass Az. and BC, who knows? If we can run the table out, and be 25-4 playing Ill. again on Sunday the 13th at 3:00pm, we may get a huge lift come seeding time. Don't count out a #1 seed with Ill. yet. #2 would be a lock, and being around Cleveland? - Sweet!

And just think. There are SOME fans who are counting the days til Sept., hoping that they will finally have something to cheer about. THAT must really suck.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:27 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote:Didn't one of your boys go like 10-10 from the field and 8-8 from the line last night? I heard something about it in passing on ESPN radio but didn't catch the name.

If anything calls for a monitor-distorting pic, I'd guess that would.

RACK

It was Alan Anderson...

Props to the Spartans for getting their first quality win of the season and their first win over a ranked opponent in nearly 2 years. Geez, that's not something you'd usually say about about a top 10 team. They still need to win out and win the Big 10 tournament to even hope for a #2 seed. Having the 73rd ranked schedule isn't going to get them any notice over Duke (2nd in SOS), Wake Forest (3rd in SOS), and Oklahoma State (4th in SOS).

Arch Angel · Post by **Arch Angel** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 6:37 pm

MSU is the only team I fear in the BTT. if they win the tourney, they can steal a 2 spot if the one's you mention each lose another game.

MSU will make some noise this NCCA tourney, you watch. Right now they are a #3, a dangerous one at that.

Shine · Post by **Shine** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:30 am

Gotta give Izzo props for making the move to bring Hill off the bench and go with the rookie Neitzel. That's seemed to have been the spark to the hot streak. MSU has NO chance of a 1 seed, but a 2 seed is possible. I'd imagine they end up a 3 though.

Buried_Nick · Post by **Buried_Nick** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:11 pm

imho, RPI is over rated. And the selection committee has been relying on it less and less the last few years.
The coaches poll always seems to get a lot of attention.
And when Duke loses again @ UNC, and Wake & BC lose again soon, MSU could (I said Could, shine) trounce IU at home, and impress a bunch of people on National Television on Sunday noon eastern. No one, not even the critics who are so quick to point out the 12 unranked losses, can deny a 24-4 team going up against a home team favorite in Ill. at the B10 Championship game.
If State pulls that off, how could they not be a #1? SOS and stuff doesn't matter. Good is GOOD, I say.
A possible 25-4, with only one or two other teams having fewer losses. I'd vote that a #1 seed, no matter if it was Duke or even OU!!!!