Mikey D

I refuse to give up on this team, no matter how rough it gets.

But let me just say, watching Wisconsin beat us up, down, and sideways...well that was tough to do for 2 hours (But I did it, so, um, moral victory for me?). I did, however, keep a level head throughout. Deep down I knew we weren't going to win, I just wanted to see some fight. I think for the most part- yes, even in a 26-point blowout- we fought hard.

Here what's bouncing around my head right now after this rough stretch:

~Back off. Seriously, the comments from fans are getting to be ridiculous. I know everyone is frustrated, but come on. The negativity that is surrounding the team right now is awful. I want to win just as much as the next fan, but I refuse to get on a messageboard or blog and just post about how much the team sucks, or how Izzo sucks, or how you aren't going to watch until next year, blah blah blah. Look, nobody is forcing you to watch. If you're not happy with the team, do something else. If you're not going to stick with them through the down times, then keep your mouth closed (I'm sure we'll see you again when times are good). This sense of entitlement that is wreaking from some MSU fans is intolerable. Goodness. Okay, I've said my piece.

~If I told you...What if I told you that before today's game that MSU would have only 7 turnovers inside the Kohl Center? That MSU would hit 13-16 free throws? That they'd be statistically even (or close) in rebounding, steals, and assists? I'd take it in a heartbeat. The only difference in the game today between MSU and Wisconsin was shooting. Wisconsin hit an absurd 60% of its shots. Yes, MSU's defense it partly to blame. From what I saw, and this is from my untrained eye, we really just don't match up well on defense against, well, anybody. We hustled today, but when you have Nix guarding a 3-point shooting forward, that's a mismatch for Wisconsin. Or Green guarding the taller Leuer. Or Appling guarding the stronger Jordan Taylor. Our personnel just isn't great right now.

~The regression of Durrell. Tom Izzo has every right to sit Durrell Summers for the rest of the season, but he needs Durrell out there too much right now, and unfortunately for us, he needs him to be playing at a high level. Here's Summers stat line against Wisconsin: 32 minutes, 3-12 shooting (zero 3's), 1-2 FT, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, and a mere 7 points. Against Iowa, in 26 minutes, he was 2-7 shooting (ALL 3-POINTERS) for 6 points, with no free throws, 1 assist, 3 rebounds and 3 turnovers. For a guy getting the minutes he does, those are simply mind-boggling low numbers. He is no longer a threat to score from the outside, he's not a threat to drive the ball and score in the paint, and he does not get his teammates involved. NBA talent? Sheesh, at this point I think he'd be lucky to get an overseas tryout with a team in Sri Lanka. I wish I had an answer for his play. I mean, is it all just a mental block?

~"Stay out of it, Nick Lachey". If you watch "The Soup" (or I suppose "Gossip Girl"), you know the line. But this line is reserved for Derrick Nix. While I like that guys are being a little more outspoken after recent losses (I'd much rather have guys speak up because they care, rather than just go through the daily motions), Derrick Nix does not need to be one of those guys. Questioning the leadership of Lucas and Summers, on multiple occasions, is okay as long as it isn't from the guy who flaked out on the team earlier in the year in Maui. Just a smidge hypocritical to start talking about commitment to the the team and such.

~I wonder...What effect is this season going to have on recruiting? It is very lucky that Izzo has the next three years wrapped up as far as incoming kids, but I do wonder what the perception of the program is from kids in the Midwest (and, to a lesser extent, nationally). Indiana is playing much better (and has great incoming classes the next few years), Michigan is young and improving, and Ohio State is an NBA-player factory that keeps on winning. If I'm a guy like Gary Harris (shooting guard from Indiana, who we desperately want), what's the appeal? In their current state, OSU and Indiana seem more appealing. And what about in-state recruiting? Does Michigan nab a few more in-state players in the coming years? Maybe I'm just panicking after a few bad losses, I don't know.

~Iowa State- Korie Lucious took a trip there this past Friday. Looks as if he and Allen will be back together (although because Korie would have to sit out a year, they won't play together). If there was any question of Korie coming back next year, I think that answers it. Bye-bye. I'm definitely more hurt over his departure than Allen's. Remember Izzo's press conference to announce he was returning to MSU? When all the players hugged him? Yeah, it was Lucious who had his arms wrapped around Izzo. That stings. Okay, here's the photo:



~There's time, but I don't know how we do it. I'm sure you'll hear from the MSU guys that they're going to do whatever it takes to turn the season around. And there will be plenty of opportunities. We've got OSU, Illinois, Purdue, and Minnesota, all ranked teams. We've got our revenge games against Iowa, Michigan, and Penn State. I hope we do make the most of those opportunities, but man, it's tough to see how with our current personnel. We just don't seem to have the players. I'm hoping Izzo finds some magic switch to hit, that the team gels and the chemistry is amazing, that Durrell starts lighting it up, and (for the love of God) teams start to cool down shooting against us. I suppose stranger things have happened.

Alright that's it. At least the Super Bowl will distract me. Next Thursday at home against Penn State. I'll be watching, like always.

~Mikey D