The Spartans have lost 2 games in a row.. Wisconsin and Illinois.. Have to say I’m not to surprised.. the way they  have been playing, I’m not shocked.  They do not seem to be playing like the Spartans are capable of.  Don’t know what the issue is.. but surely its not the fact that Kalin is out.  Could it be chemistry, could it be focus and preparation?  They have been slowly morphing into a Team that might be complacent and not hungry enough….

Seems to be a trend playing down to the competition, and not being able to start strong and have the killer instinct to squash a opponent and keep on going. 

Don’t get me wrong, they’re still #1 in the Big Ten, but have surely lost the #1 seed in the Dance… This team has talent, and the skill sets and they should not be making ridiculous sloppy passes, and hurried shots that end up in empty passions.. 

There has been a couple consistent players.. Draymond Green, who is SOLID off the bench in all year, and  with a double Double against Illinois. Then there is Mr.  Kalin Lucas who unfortunately is hurt… 

I expected this year to see Kalin, but also expected to see  Raymar, Durrell, and Delvon take leadership roles….I assumed wrong…  Recently the group’s leadership seems to be sketchy at best…. These guys have to Step up their game,  they have to take it to the next level for the Spartans to win the Big Ten and go deep in to the March Madness… With Kalin out, the best floor leader is Draymond…

Take a look at a couple telling stats form the last 2 games:
Turnovers:
MSU 13 – Wisconsin 5
MSU 18 – Illinois 10
Shooting:  MSU 37% - Wisconsin 51%
Fouls:  MSU 19 – Illinois 13

On top of this, I don’t see anyone playing a successful 5 for the Spartans. Center seems to be sorely lacking.. Nix or Sherman has to really step up for us to maintain First place in the Big Ten and possibly get a 1 – 2 seed in March..  They can. But will they ??

I expected more…!

This week Purdue comes to town on Tuesday, and Spartans visit Penn State Saturday..   I don’t have a clue as to how they can prepare for this one without Kalin and a strong 5. But, lets hope they have the mid season slump out of their system…

Purdue Game is forecasted to be a Whiteout…
And time grab the 2010 Big Ten mantel once and for all..

Sparty ON

Things all Spartans should be aware of… Thanks B-Mac for the push….

MSU Icers.. Doing great this year.. Since the Frozen Four bracket starts with 16 teams…. Spartans surly will probably be a 2 seed.  Good Chance, like the Izzos’s Basketball Team to play in the NCAA finals in Detroit… Nice to see them make a run again..





BasketBall:
9 - 1: Spartan have lost their first game in the Big Ten, and did it in Wisconsin.  Not surprising really.. Team needed a gut check. 
Reasons for the Spartans Loss:
1) Spartan Turn overs
2) Spartan Empty passions
3) Badgers excessive flopping / Big Time wrestling style refereeing.
4) Spartan Lack of perimeter or 3 point Defense.
5) Badgers had a week off to prepare.
I am sure this will be taken care of, for the trip to Illinois and upcoming game against Purdue.

Kalin Lucas sprained ankle will be rehabbed, and assume  that he should be ready to go at least by Purdue, if not Illinois on limited duty….

The Sky is NOT falling… Games against Wisconsin, at Wisconsin, was clearly the most difficult test in the Big Ten so far, Illinois up next then Penn State. Next six games, 4 are away.. It doesn't get any easier, but, we still should be on top of the Big Ten come the end of the season.
 
Photo From CBS

New Logo:
WTF.. Relax people, its ok. Change is a good thing, we have been asking for change, we have Dantonio, now lets reflect MSU improvements in a new logo.
I like it.. and will purchase new gear..  There are other things to worry abut, its not "New Coke". Now if they mess with Sparty the mascot.. then I got a beef..


Reported new logo is on right, current is on left... Will it even come to pass... ???



Football..
Mark Dantonio has handled the Rather incident rather well.. No complaints here.  But, I hope that he has a firm hand with any repeat issues.

I am real curious what the University will do with the Frat that seemed to both taunt and instigate part of the issue ??  I hope actions are taken on that House as well, if they were a provocateur.
 
We’re behind you Coach Mark.

Football:
Looks like a good recruiting class.. But we’ll only know for sure once the pads are on in September… Who wouldn’t want to be a Spartan ?

More later in the week…
Sparty On !!!

SpartyMSU has been saying this all year.. The Big Ten is a meat grinder.. 

MSU Spartan best start to conference play in school history.. Nine and Zip !!
They continue to get better and better.. But this is a big week..

This week’s unexpected craziness.. But again..  not so crazy.… Fairly predicable…
Purdue is back to expected wining ways..
Evan turner is back at OSU. Getting them straightened around…
Spartans still undefeated in the Big Ten meat grinder..
Poor Penn State.. Poor Penn State…  0 - 9...
Gum Watch: Day 27 Thad Matta still chewing same piece of gum from the January 6.

Michigan State:  I know, a win is a win.. But the Wolverines had their profanity laced fan base in all its glory to try to beat the Spartans.. A close game.. Spartans had 18 turnovers to Michigan’s 4… OMG.. But, the good news was Spartans crashed the boards for 41 rebounds to Michigan’s 25, and Spartans shot 49% for Michigan’s 29%.  Kalin Lucas was clutch in Ann Arbor.. Finaly Beating Michigan   57 – 56…  its a win.. we'll take it.

Then they turn around and play an inspired game at home.. romping all over Northwestern 79 – 70. They started the second half with an 18 – 4 run. And its off to the races… Bone and bowel rumbling dunks by Chris Allen.. Durrell Summers was on fire..  One of the best all around games the Spartans have had all year..

Next up:  The next few games are a tuffy.. At Wisconsin, and At Illinois… Danger--- Rough sledding ahead.. SpartyMSU is predicting wins this week.. even with tough games...

Purdue:   Won a real close game with Wisconsin, 60 – 57, .. and spanked Penn State..
Next Game: At Indiana, Tom Crean’s boys will be up for this intra sate rivalry. Only Game all week.. they will be preparing for the visit to East Lansing…

Minnesota:  Beat Northwestern 65 – 61, and lost to Ohio State, 85 – 63…
Next up: Only 1 game: at Penn State…

Illinois: Beat Penn State, just as everyone has done in the Big Ten so far.. won 77 – 67, the beat Indiana..
Next up: At Iowa and The Spartans come to town.

Northwestern:  Lost to Minnesota  61 – 65, and lost the Spartans..
Next up: Host Michigan and Home against Indiana

Wisconsin: Lost to Purdue in a battle.. only game they played this week..
Next up: The Spartans and the Wolverines.. State of Michigan special..

Ohio State: These guys are really getting better.. Beat Iowa, and Minnesota 85 – 63…
Next games: Penn State and Iowa.. should be a winning week for the Buckeyes..

Michigan:   LOST to the Spartans, and beat Iowa..
Next games: Northwestern and Wisconsin

Indiana:  Lost to Illinois this week.. only Game they had 70 – 72…
This week: Purdue and Northwestern.. They should be fired for the battle with Purdue, two schools are only 80 miles apart.. and a good rivalry…

Iowa:  Lost to Ohio State and Michigan..
Next up:  Illinois and Ohio State

Penn State:  Go ahead.. guess.. YOUR right,  they lost.. they’re 100% for the season in the Big Ten..
This week they lost to Illinois and Purdue…
Next loses will be to: Ohio State and Minnesota

Sparty ON !!!

SpartyMSU has been saying this all year.. The Big Ten is a meat grinder.. 

This week’s unexpected craziness.. Sort of went as expected, and not so crazy.…
Purdue is back to expected wining ways..
Evan turner is back at OSU. Getting them straightened around…
Spartans still undefeated in the Big Ten meat grinder..
Poor Penn State.. Poor Penn State…
Thad Matta still chewing same piece of gum from the January 6 against Indiana.. 

Michigan State: Couple close games.. and they shouldn’t have been close at all.. But, the players as a collective unit fell asleep against Iowa..  After crushing the Hawkeyes for most of the game.. they let them slip close to make it scary… MSU won 70 – 63…   Against Minnesota.. they won by ONE point.. thank you Kalin Lucas..and D. Green.. Spartans practically gave me a stroke, right there in the Barcalounger… Final: 65 – 64…

Next up:  In AnnArbor against Michigan, home vs. Northwestern.

Purdue:  Regained their winning ways…  Too soon for my taste.. Beat Illinois 84 – 78,and drilled Michigan 59 - 69
Next Game: Wisconsin and Penn State

Minnesota:  Lost to the Spartans, that’s twice this season.. the only game they had…
Next up: Northwestern and the surging Buckeyes of Ohio State…..

Illinois: Double whammy this week… Lost to Purdue, and Lost to Northwestern
Next up: Penn State and Indiana

Northwestern:  Lost to the Buckeyes 76 – 56, and beat Illinois 73 – 68…
Next up: Minnesota and Michigan State

Wisconsin: Beat the Wolverines 54 – 48, and dodged a huge bullet in OT against Penn State 79 – 71. That would have been a HUGE upset and Penn State’s first win.. Lucky Badgers…
Next up: Only Purdue this week…

Ohio State: Getting better.. Hope Turner’s back is really healed.. Back injuries are tricky..  Beat Northwestern, and lost to West Virginia: I thought they had’em beat.. but they sort of fell apart in the second half : 65 – 71…
Next games: Iowa and Minnesota

Michigan:   Like Illinois and Penn State,  a Duce of losses this week.. Lost to Wisconsin, and lost to lost to Purdue…Wolverines  Can’t win on the road..
Next games: The Spartans and Iowa, two home games…

Penn State:  What to say about the Nittany Lions.. Lost a close game to Indiana and took Wisconsin to OT.. Better luck next time..  Bottom line.. they’re bad…
Next up: Illinois and Purdue

Iowa:  Lost to the Spartans.. but they did claw back towards the end.. But did  Beat Indiana in a cellar dweller match up..
Next up:  Ohio State and Michigan

Indiana:  Talk about cellar Dweller matches.. Beat Penn State 67 – 61.. but lost to Iowa….
Next  up: Only Illinois this week… Get some rest…

Sparty ON !!!

I'm late with the post this week.. but here it is anyways...




SpartyMSU has been saying this all year.. The Big Ten is a meat grinder.. 
 
No one can beat up like your own brother.. The Big Ten Family is taking it out on each other..

Its like a brotherly fist fight over thanksgiving dinner..  Its like Curly and Shemp beating up on Moe… Its like Elwood beating up on Jake…  Not something you’d expect, but could happen... and is happening in the Big Ten…



This week’s unexpected craziness:
Purdue lost to Ohio State and Northwestern..  Who would’a thunk ??
Iowa beating Penn State..
Ohio State beating Wisconsin..
Michigan beat UConn…
Indiana beat Minnesota…

It not like the world shifted on its axis, but damn.. not what I thought would happen… And its not like its going to end any time soon….  I thought the Big Ten would clearly be divided into two tiers by now, Not this Dog eat Dog bull crap… I pitty non conf teams playing Big Ten’s elite in the tourney.. It’s a tougher conference than even I imagined this year…

Michigan State:  Kalin Lucas seems to be coming around. From the stands he looked to be in a funk.. Nope, not any more..  he’s regaining his crown as the teams rightful king and leader.. Draymond Green  is also playing with heart, giving him the title of the SUPER Soph of the year ! 

This week.. there wasn’t any one I was disappointed with.   I see the team coming together as a unit more and more.  The only thing I wish would have happened was for Dion Sims the get the bucket he missed at the end of the Illinois game…
Beat Minny 60 – 53, and Illinois 73 – 63… Good wins, the team continues to solidify..

Next up: Iowa visits East Lansing for a loss, and Spartans head to the Barn to play Tubby’s Gophers again..

Oakland University (Located in Rochester Hills Michigan):  is doing great this year. Go Grizzlies... The team is on a 7 game winning streak and #1 in their conference.  Hoping to see them in the NCAA big Dance come March...




Purdue:  WTF.. WTF.. they have lost their last  3 games.. PANIC.. SOS.. HELP… The Sky is Falling….
Lost to Ohio State  in West Lafayette.. lost 66 – 70.. OMG !   Then, lost their away game to Northwestern 64 – 72..   When will the madness end..
Next Game: At Illinois, and Wolverines visit them next Saturday..

Minnesota:  Double Whammy this week for Tubby… Spanked were by the Spartans  and Lost to Indiana in OT… They are a good team.. a dangerous team…
Next up: Michigan state visits them next Saturday.. Whole week to prepare..

Illinois: Beat Penn State by one point, 54 – 53… and lost to Michigan State, being down as much as 21 at one point,  Losing 73 – 63..
Next up: Purdue and Northwestern..

Northwestern:  Lost to Whiskey 50 – 60, and beat.. Shocker of Shockers.. Beat Purdue..
Next up: At OSU, and Illinois..

Wisconsin: Beat Northwestern, and lost to the hapless Buckeyes,  51 - 60…
Next up: Michigan and Penn State..

Ohio State: I really thought they would have been better this year.. but they did beat Wisconsin..  Thad probably chewed the same piece of gum for the entire game..  Chomping his way to a win…
Next games: Northwestern and at West Virginia

Michigan:  Came back to beat Indiana and beat to UConn… This team lives and dies by the Three ball…
Next games: At Wisconsin and at Purdue.. sounds like two loses…  But, who knows the way the Big Ten season ins going…

Penn State:  Double Loses:  Lost to Illinois and lost to Iowa….  They are victims of the Strength of the Big Ten..
Next up: Indiana and Wisconsin

Iowa: Bam.. Bam…  Twice the Trouble…Beat Tenn. State, and beat Penn State. Could the have designs on getting out of the cellar??
Next up:  Two away games, Michigan State and Indiana

Indiana: Lost to Michigan and Beat to Minny in overtime…  Indiana won’t be at the bottom much longer…  Go Tom Crean !
Next  up: Penn State and Iowa…



Sparty On...

Last week’s summary: A couple of surprises..
Like Penn State getting beat by a mediocre Michigan squad.. Shocker.. of the week.. Also Illinois come back win over Tom Crean’s Indiana.. The Big Ten is a strong conference, they gunna beat each other up.. Any team can win at any time this year.

Note: Oakland University (Located in Rochester Hills Michigan), is doing great this year. Coach Greg Kampe has the team headed towards the NCAA Tournament. The team is on a 5 game winning streak and #1 in their conference. Probably would beat some Big Ten teams at this point in the year…

Michigan State:  …..  Both wins impressive.  Spartans dispatched Bo Ryan's Badgers in smooth fashion 47 - 54. I  was very surprised at the low score.. Looks like the Spartans might have begun to jell as a unit. The Badgers are a very physical team, and they tried to grind it out and slow the Spartan's pace.. didn’t work….. 

Next Game, not surprising, Spartans beat poor Iowa.. 71 – 53. 

The Spartans are starting to learn not to play to the competitions level, but to play to their ability. From the Barcalounger, D Green looks to be emerging as a presence on the court both as a player and team leader.. 

This weeks victims: Minnesota and Illinois.. Mr and Mrs SpartyMSU will be at the Illini game, wish we could get in early and meet Tom Izzo…..


Purdue:  Beat Minny.. no Surprise.. but lost to Wisconsin: 66 – 73.. had to happen sooner or later in the Big Ten..
Next up: Ohio State and Northwestern

Wisconsin:   Lost in East Lansing, but beat Purdue in Madison.. Nice win badgers !
Next up: at Northwestern and at Ohio State

Ohio State:   Beat Indiana, but lost to the Golden Gophers 62 – 73..  
Next Game: At Purdue, can you say lose, and Bo “the Vampire” Ryan brings his Badgers to Columbus.

Illinois:  Beat Iowa and a stunning comeback win over Indiana 66 – 60.
Next Up:  Penn State and at Michigan State

Minnesota:  Lost to Purdue, beat Ohio State.
Next: at the Breslin Center for an ass whipp’in and what might be the game of the week, at Indiana…

Northwestern:   Beat UTPA 53 – 44, and at Michigan won a close game: 68 – 62… 
Next up: Wisconsin comes to town, and Purdue makes the drive north to Evanston..

Penn State:   Surprising loss at the hands of Michigan….
Next Up: At Illinois and at Michigan State

Michigan:  Beat Penn State, and lost to Northwestern
Next up:  Indiana visits Michigan and Connecticut comes to AnnArbor…

Indiana: Lose to Ohio State, and loss to Illinois. Young team, they will be MUCH better next year !
Next up:  At Michigan and plays Minnesota..

Iowa.. Poor Iowa.. Lost to everybody last week, Illinois and the Spartans… but that big white kid Brennan Cougill. The kid has no neck, he should be on the “O” line for the football team..
The Hawkeyes like the Hoosiers are a young team and will be much better next year.
Next up: Tenn State and Penn State.



Sparty On !!

The season has final come to a close.. mercifully for the Spartans…

Yeah, SpartyMSU has worn a clown face all year for our stinker list of predictions… we sucked.
11 - 1.. what were we drinking  ????  .. Oooh, I remember, 6 hours of beers at the Peanut Barrel.. that didn't help too much..

But, I do feel they still are making progress… The incident with some of the players being egged on by a Frat and engaging in less than wise and considered behavior at Rather Hall didn't help too much...

Lets review the high lights and low lights tomorrow.. 

But first….Below is our Season ending Vote for the CBS Blog Poll…
Last Vote of the Year...

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Alabama
2	Florida	3
3	Texas	1
4	Boise State
5	TCU	2
6	Virginia Tech	7
7	Cincinnati	1
8	Ohio State	1
9	Iowa	1
10	Penn State	1
11	LSU	1
12	Oregon	5
13	Nebraska	3
14	Georgia Tech	6
15	Pittsburgh	3
16	Brigham Young	1
17	Miami (Florida)	2
18	Arkansas
19	Oklahoma
20	Wisconsin
21	Mississippi
22	Clemson
23	Auburn
24	Central Michigan	1
25	Southern Cal
Last week's ballot

Last week’s summary: Big Ten Season is here.. and already a couple of surprises..
What is  Ohio State doing getting beat by a mediocre Michigan squad.. That was the shocker of the week..

Michigan State:  Played well against to decent teams last week. They spanked University of Texas Arlington 87 - 68, and went to Northwestern and beat and handily beat a Wild Cat team, 91 - 70…..  Both wins impressive.  Looks like the Spartans might have begun to jell as a unit.

This week: Wisconsin and at Iowa….

Purdue:  Beat Iowa and beat West Virginia.. looking forward to Feb 9 already…
Next up: Minny and at Wisconsin

Wisconsin:   Beat Ohio State, and beat Penn State.. ok.. good for starters…
Next up: At MSU, and against the Boilermakers..

Ohio State:   Lost to both Wisconsin and Michigan.. What going on in Columbus ??? I predicted a better season for the Buckeyes…  
Next Game: Indiana… Sorry Buckeyes, Go Tom Crean !!

Illinois:  Beat Northwestern, lost a close one to Gonzaga.. heart breaker…
Next Up:  Iowa and at Indiana

Minnesota:  Beat Penn State and Iowa
Next: at Purdue.. now that’s a Tuffy……

Northwestern:   Lost to Illinois.. Lost to the Spartans…
Next up: UTPA (Huh..???), and at Michigan

Penn State:   Lost to Minny.. Lost to Whiskey….
Next Up: Michigan visits the Nittany Lions…

Michigan:  Lost to Tom Crean and the Hoosiers.. then turn around and beat Ohio State in AnnArbor.... WTF.. Who are these guys ???
Next up:  Pen State and at Northwestern

Indiana: Hooray..!!    Beat Michigan 71 - 65…   
Next up:  Ohio State and Illinois

Iowa.. Poor Iowa.. Lost to everybody last week…Minny and Purdue…
Next up: Illinois and Michigan State

Sparty On !!!

What I saw was a Great Game ! No question, exciting game till the end.

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4   Score
-----------------    -- -- -- --   -----
Michigan State......  7  7 14  3  - 31
Texas Tech..........  7 13  7 14  - 41

VS.

MICHIGAN STATE                 TEXAS TECH
                       Saturday, Jan. 2 - 9 p.m. ET
                    San Antonio, Texas - Alamodome
                                        TV: ESPN


Analysis.. Analysis.. Analysis..
All I read is MSU this, Texas Tech that.   Bla..Bla.. Bla.. 
Some Bloggers are making it really difficult to read about it.. and laying on too much detail
Let me simplify this for you…

You have two good teams going up against one another.  Both teams have had had their share of turmoil. Spartans:  players suspended and kick off the team from what looks like an altercation after being egged on by a Frat.  Texas Tech: fired their coach for, what seems to be unsportsman like and unprofessional treatment of a injured player.

Texas Tech likes to throw: see the stats I posted the day of the bowl bids..   Spartans have had a hard time defending the pass.   But, since we are dealing with skilled athletes and programs on both sides, any miscue on either side of the ball could spell disaster. And anything can change… 

BUT:  Based simply on the past stats plus add in a little Spartan Homerism..  I predict a close game, yet a Spartan loss.  Yes, I love my Spartans, and do think Dantonio is one of the best things to happen to MSU in the last ten years… but…. 

Prediction:
Texas Tech:         35
Michigan State:     30

TEAM STATISTICS              TT               MSU
SCORING               440      355
   Points Per Game     36.7     29.6
FIRST DOWNS           304      245
   Rushing             65       79
   Passing            218      147
   Penalty             21       19
RUSHING YARDAGE       973     1631
   Yards gained rushing 1319  1838
   Yards lost rushing 346      207
   Rushing Attempts   288      387
   Average Per Rush     3.4      4.2
   Average Per Game    81.1    135.9
   TDs Rushing         22       14
PASSING YARDAGE      4568     3254
   Comp-Att-Int     410-615-16  235-393-10
   Average Per Pass     7.4      8.3
   Average Per Catch   11.1     13.8
   Average Per Game   380.7    271.2
   TDs Passing         35       26
TOTAL OFFENSE        5541     4885
   Total Plays        903      780
   Average Per Play   6.1        6.3
   Average Per Game  461.8     407.1
KICK RETURNS: #-Yards  42-1028 47-1253
PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards  24-235  23-192
INT RETURNS: #-Yards   8-34     5-65
KICK RETURN AVERAGE   24.5     26.7
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE    9.8      6.8 
INT RETURN AVERAGE     4.2     13
FUMBLES-LOST          25-12    14-8
PENALTIES-Yards     111-959    76-665
   Average Per Game  79.9      55.4
PUNTS-Yards         44-1781    59-2440
   Average Per Punt  40.5      41.5
   Net punt average  35.0      36.4
TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 28:41  28:53:00
3RD-DOWN Conversions  64/156  56/153
   3rd-Down Pct          41%   37%
4TH-DOWN Conversions  20/29    6/11
   4th-Down Pct          69%   55%
SACKS BY-Yards         40-255  34-213
MISC YARDS               0     13
TOUCHDOWNS SCORED       59     43
FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS   9-11    19-21
ON-SIDE KICKS          0-2      1-2
RED-ZONE SCORES      45-53 85%  34-42 835
RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS  38-53 72%  23-42 555
PAT-ATTEMPTS         55-56 98%  40-41 98%



                                                                NCAA  - National Ranking
Category                 Spartans   Red Raiders
Rushing Offense             79       115
Passing Offense             26         2
Total Offense               41         7
Scoring Offense             44         9
Rushing Defense             24        37
Pass Efficiency Defense     96        34
Total Defense               62        47
Scoring Defense             61       T-36
Net Punting                 47        73
Punt Returns                67       T-49
Kickoff Returns              6        17
Turnover Margin             94       T-94
Pass Defense               103        72
Passing Efficiency          17        25
Sacks                       12         2
Tackles For Loss            69        30
Sacks Allowed               16        92


Sparty On .. talk to you after the game...