Basketball Articles
Texas Hoops vs. Michigan State Preview
Posted by Trips Right on December 21st, 2009 under Basketball
Let me start by typing that Tom Izzo has a dilemma.
He’s about to face one of the truly dynamic basketball teams in the nation and he’s bringing a team that I doubt he’s very comfortable with at this point in the season. Why? Well because they’re not Michigan State physical. There aren’t any bangers on this Spartan club, and quite frankly, I’m not sure if Tom is coping with that fact very well. Look no further than their December 1st game in Chapel Hill where halfway through the first half Izzo had forsaken the very fiber of his coaching being by scrapping his classic man-to-man roots in favor of…GASP…a matchup zone. Zone? The hell you say, Sparty.
But honestly it’s tough to blame Izzo for such tomfoolery as the Spartans were getting absolutely bludgeoned by UNC’s two headed monster of Ed Davis and Deon Thompson. Which isn’t surprising in and of itself considering, because as Shooter Fly would say about Michigan State, “they got no head toppers”. So enter a Jim Valvano-esque matchup zone designed to get MSU’s talented 3 guard look on the floor while still being able to defend the paint. In the college basketball world, an MSU junk defense is akin to offering colonics at a taqueria. In a word, let’s call it uncomfortable. But this is a different Tom Izzo club and certainly not your typical physical Spartan squad.
So what does that mean going into Tuesday night? What it means is, if Dexter Pittman is the rock, then the bevy of Longhorn perimeter witches is the hard place for Izzo. He can play his band of merry midgets and hope to run with the Horns which gives him a shooter’s chance in the ball game. Hell, he doesn’t even need to pack his triangle and 2 or amoeba for that. Texas will provide the necessary personnel matchups with its own 3 guard personnel. Or, Izzo can go back to basics with a traditional big frontcourt of Morgan, Green, and Sherman and hope to win a halfcourt grinder against Dexter Pittman, a player that Sparty really doesn’t have a defensive answer for. On to MSU’s personnel.
Backcourt
On the perimeter, this is one of Izzo’s most talented teams. Kalin Lucas is a blur who can go by virtually every guard in college basketball. Our guards must give Lucas space and entice him to shoot the ball until he proves he can hit a couple. If we allow him to penetrate, Pittman’s likely to get in foul trouble. Make no mistake though, Lucas has really improved as a shooter, but he’s yet to put on a shooting exhibition against a quality opponent so if I’m coaching I make him prove it first. The two guard Chris Allen is a different story. We need to chase him off his jumper and force him to put the ball on the floor. Barnes can simply hand over a copy of the Marcus Ginyard scouting report to Avery Bradley for this assignment. The other guard Durrell Summers is a solid shooter but he butters his bread getting to the goal and drawing fouls. If he’s in the game in the three guard look, I’d actually prefer Bradley on him with Brown, Hamilton, or Mason on Allen. The wildcard at the position is Korie Lucious. They’ll bring him in to get Lucas off the ball. Lucious can flat out go, and he’ll give Balbay fits because he’s a quick little shit. Dogus and even Bradley need to give him a cushion because with Lucious’ lack of size, either Longhorn defender has the athletic ability and size to get to Korie’s jumpshot and contest appropriately. Penetration, on the other hand, is exactly what Lucious is looking to do. When he’s in the game along with Lucas, they may be the quickest backcourt in America.
The Frontcourt
In the interest of Dexter Pittman, let’s start at the center position. Michigan State doesn’t have one. They play 6-10 freshman Garrick Sherman for about 10 minutes per game just as a body to steal minutes, but he’s nowhere near ready to take on a force like Pittman. That leaves undersized banger 6-6 235 pound tree stump Draymond Green as the player most likely to draw the Pittman cover. Do you understand my rock and a hard place comment now? On the other end, Green is a terrific cover for Dex in that he’s not the most mobile guy out there and doesn’t have a faceup game. Raymar Morgan is a talented hybrid 3 man that reminds most folks of our own Damion James. He’s not the shooter that James is, but he can put the ball on the deck much better. On defense, Raymar won’t have the same problems that the Carolina bigs had in chasing James around on the perimeter. 6-8 forward Delvon Roe is another athletic forward and he probably has the most skill and talent on this Michigan State club. He’ll pose some matchup problems for us when the Spartans go big. We can counter with James at the 4 but we’ll likely have to bring in Johnson or Hamilton to play Morgan.
3 Keys to the Game
1) Handling Pittman. The way Izzo gameplans to handle Dexter Pittman will determine the pace of the game. If Izzo elects to go big and pack the paint to help to the mismatch, Texas will have to play patient basketball and use good ball movement and shot selection to punish the Spartans. Our 4 out look makes it difficult to sag the block and still contest the perimeter especially when James is floating around as our 4. It also makes the matchup zone MSU ran vs. Carolina damn near impossible to play because your interior helpside might be playing 30 feet from the goal. MSU could run the matchup against UNC because Carolina runs a double post triangle look so you always have two bigs near the paint.
The other option Izzo has is to make Texas adjust to his personnel by going small and pushing pace. The problem with that is Pittman will get his 25 productive minutes and kill you. And then when Texas goes small the other 15 minutes, they’ll likely run you out of the gym.
2) Officiating. This will sound funny especially considering the opponent, but if the game is officiated like a typical Big 10 scrum where they let you bump and bang, MSU has little if any chance. If Texas is allowed to push and shove and negate the position rebounding style MSU employs, Texas is likely able to duplicate the dominance on the glass they displayed Saturday. If you see an over the back whistle or two early on, buckle your seat belt. Same holds true on the perimeter where Brown, Balbay, and Bradley would like to be physical with Lucas and Lucious.
3) Texas Shot Selection. Sure you want to take good shots in every game, but this component of the game is even more important against a team that doesn’t turn the ball over and has to have good position to be able to compete on the glass. Now if Izzo decides to push tempo, shot selection isn’t as important, but if Tom turns the game into a grinder, Texas has to take good shots. When you move the ball, make a defense rotate, and take a good shot, you’re more likely to catch the defense in poor rebounding position. When you come down, make one pass and then jack a bad shot, you’re playing right into the hands of team that’s going to put a body on you before going to the glass. Rotate the ball, make the Michigan State defense help and recover to the various mismatches on the floor, and then reap the rewards on the offensive glass.
Prediction.
I’m guessing Izzo knows the score and therefore will ask his guards to control tempo and slow down the pace. They have better backcourt talent than UNC and a coach that’s certainly willing to play a grinder so if I’m Barnes I expect a slower game. It’s doubtful the Horns can artificially speed up Michigan State with pressure because Lucas and Lucious handle so well. If Texas takes good shots they win handily. If Texas defends Michigan State so well and controls the defensive glass leading to multiple break opportunities they win handily. Fast pace or slow pace it won’t matter. The wildcard is Izzo’s ability to turn this into an ugly game. If Texas is willing to participate with dumb shots and sloppy turnovers, MSU has a chance.
Thoughts?
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Activity
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 1 hour, 16 minutes ago
Outstanding “around the horn” type article. Can’t believe it’s almost 6 months until college football. The “U” from ESPN, while fun was nothing more than a 90 minute commercial for the greatness of Miami football. It would have been better if someone, other than a fan, took a critical look at that
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Black Scholes commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
Hearing nothing that leads me to believe Cory Joseph is on his way to save Barnes’ ‘offense’. Hope this staff is making some contingency plans.
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
Nickel,
Yea, I think AB may move if he can get assurances he won’t slide past the teens. Going 25 or so is a much different story. I think he should probably come back if he’s in the mid-20’s but not having a clear vision of what the rookie salary scale might look like
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GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Bradley or Hamilton? 1 hour, 32 minutes ago
The great thing about Joseph is he is a hard worker and great defender, just like Avery. This means he won’t be in the dog house like JH and JBC were all season fro their terrible defense and effort. He is also a perfect pick and roll/pick and pop PG who is smart and always
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GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
Don’t see Bradley as a kind of guy that goes through that kind of disappointment, sees how unprepared for the NBA he is, and goes to “get his” in the draft. Maybe Hamilton, but not AB.
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dick commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 12 minutes ago
we will be better than an 8 seed if all 3 of those come back. i’ll be adjusting my expectations accordingly which will make season much better
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Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 25 minutes ago
Hmm, great article, more or less of the same subject I wrote on for today.
I think we are in exact agreement that Bradley should probably go if his draft grade holds steady in the 15-25 range because he’ll probably not get a better contract if he waits but simply demonstrate his ceiling as a player. -
uthookem commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
…but by conference play, we will HAVE to start Thompson if we want to optimize our potential.
Ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha!
Pains me to hear that, as we all pined for Hamilton to start all season long (except ipowers, that is). What makes you think it will be different with a
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Nickel Rover wrote a new blog post: Bradley or Hamilton? 2 hours, 53 minutes ago
Basketball:
Bradley or Hamilton? In an ideal world they are both back next season. Withought knowing how well they are responding to Barnes’ style or what kind of draft grade they are looking for it’s hard to project what they will do.
Bradley has been listed as a mid-first round guy but I have trouble seeing it.
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Trips Right commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 3 hours, 32 minutes ago
What a horseshit bank, but Mary’s the right side
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Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Big Dance: Day Two 3 hours, 48 minutes ago
Was pretty disappointed with OSU’s shitburger last night though. I’ve never seen Anderson so bad…almost looked hurt. 5-2 first round isn’t bad though.
We really ought to get 4 team into the Sweet 16 though, with only Missouri having much of an excuse to not advance.
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Hiphopopotamus wrote a new blog post: Bid Dance: Day Three 3 hours, 50 minutes ago
A little late getting this up today, as our first game is already in the second stanza, but we’ve got plenty more to keep us all fat and giggly.
Lunch
2) Villanova v. 10) St. Mary’s – I like this to be a highly entertaining, competitive game from beginning to end. St Mary’s will likely jump out
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NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 3 hours, 57 minutes ago
Cameron Clark, #5 3-position player in country (Scout) from Sherman, Committed. T.J Taylor, 3 star two guard from Denison, committed. We seem to have Texoma bottled up. Lots of others “interested.”
This is a rumor at this point and not confirmed, so we’ll see.
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 4 hours, 11 minutes ago
Texoz,
As much as we need to find an identity on offense, we also need to address our defensive schemes. If JCB and JH are two big contributors and we play a 6′6″ guy at 4 and a foul prone freshman in the middle then we need to re-examine our principles on defense. We
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dick commented on the blog post Second Round Bets 4 hours, 25 minutes ago
I ended up going the other way and taking St Mary’s. Unfortunately, we’ve all become experts at basketball team collapses this year and Villanova’s collapse looks too familiar.
I really like Washington today for the reasons you mentioned. I have them in my Calcutta too so I have a lot riding on them.
I am
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 4 hours, 28 minutes ago
Yea, Mack was very good. He got really hot in the right game. Aubrey Coleman was pretty good too. And your definitely right Jordan Crawford. He’s fun to watch….
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Jorgrama commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 4 hours, 49 minutes ago
Barnes has lost two longtime assistants and gained Paulino and Ogden–two guys who really only know what he’s taught them. Seems like he should look to the outside for some methodology.
Two, got to recruit fewer projects. Fewer spindly white guys that need to gain 30 pounds of muscle. Fewer all-purpose guards who you
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Recapping the West 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
Thanks Patrick. UTEP played dumb and Butler was en fuego. Be nice to have a Shelvyn Mack on this Texas team, huh?
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the Midwest 4 hours, 51 minutes ago
There were lots of fireworks and exciting games in this region. Let’s start at the top.
Kansas vs. Lehigh
Lehigh never had a realistic shot, but I’m sure they gained Kansas’ respect as a sixteen seed. They’re pretty athletic, especially inside. Again, I ask the tournament selection committee; this was the worst team in
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Recapping the West 5 hours, 12 minutes ago
Great recaps, Trips, er Kev. Keep pumping out the great content. Sorry about UTEP…..
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG 5 hours, 18 minutes ago
NDS,
What will your team look like w/o those two guys? Who do you have coming in???
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Nike U in Turmoil 5 hours, 29 minutes ago
Getting off a sinking ship. Bellotti is supposedly very much like Mack in his affinity for the media. I’ve always wondered about the assumption that Mack would be happy as the Texas AD when he could just go get a cushy analyst job. Mack clapping in studio would be great TV, no??
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the West 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
The Wild West was anything but considering all games played according to seed except for Vanderbilt and Murray State. Let’s start with the big dog.
Syracuse vs. Vermont
The Orange took an early first half lead and never looked back. Using five players with double figure scoring, and a new-look zone missing interior presence Arinze
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Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
AAS wrote a dumbed down version of this subject today. Barnes says he’s bringing in another guard. Good, because I feel very confident in our depth in the front court. Alexei, white stiff #1, and white stiff #2 make me ooze with confidence especially behind a true freshman and undersized 4…….
Barnes, asked
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Farmer Ted wrote a new blog post: Suh Meets with Lions 5 hours, 50 minutes ago
Not too long ago we laughed at the idea that a team would consider taking anyone ahead of Ndamukong Suh in the NFL draft. Now it appears very possible — even likely — that the Rams will take QB Sam Bradford with the #1 pick, which would give the Lions the next shot at Suh
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Black Scholes commented on the blog post Texas Turns the Page 5 hours, 53 minutes ago
Hamilton needs 1-2 years to seriously work on the deficiencies in his game. He goes now, and in a couple of years he’s “whatever happened to …?”. The risk is while he might get drafted now on potential, if he can’t/won’t develop as a player he won’t even have that to offer in
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NorthDallasSooner commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 6 hours, 19 minutes ago
“Coincidentally I maintain a subscription to Texas Monthly magazine in an effort to keep up with my roots in some way, shape or form. The April issue showed up at my house this afternoon and features a fairly in depth article about the ongoing drama between Texas Tech and the Dread Pirate Leach. The more
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Recapping the East 6 hours, 23 minutes ago
Again, no news is good news when you’re one of the top seeds in the region. That motto holds true in the East as the top four seeds advanced.
Kentucky vs. East Tennessee State
This was a blood bath from the tip. Anyone that thinks this young Wildcat club may have one eye on the
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NorthDallasSooner wrote a new blog post: Rumor Alert–TMG 6 hours, 31 minutes ago
It’s certainly unconfirmed, but I got this email this morning from a friend who follows the hoops program very closely. Stay tuned……
“A very reliable source close to the OU BB program told me yesterday TMG is gone. He packed his bags and unless Capel can talk him out of it our PG for the future has left
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post The week in news- Pariahs, Malcontents and Power Hour 6 hours, 49 minutes ago
Great survey, whiskey. I miss football a lot.
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UT wildcatter said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:07 pm
If we can slow down Mateen Cleaves and that real tall point guard they used to have we have a chance
UT wildcatter said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Did Magic play point in college?
HenryJames said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Whither Goran Suton?
Surely Izzo can find some more 6′10″ 245 pounders of European descent in Michigan and Ohio.
Savage Henry said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
distract Magic with a couple of whores and we’ll be fine.
SL Xpress said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:28 pm
You’re forgetting about Nix. He’s a 6′8 tubby that Michigan State fans are hoping can become their shorter version of Pittman. He’s a true freshman, only playing 8-9 minutes a game (about the same as Sherman) but unlike Sherman, he’s a wide load.
Talk about free throw problems. Check this out. He’s 3 for 27 from the line. Whoa.
ctex80 said:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
3 for 27? I can’t shoot, but I’d wager significant cash that I could beat that, eyes closed.
I just don’t trust a Rick Barnes offense against an Izzo team, personnel advantages be damned. I think this one will be close as we’ll probably struggle to feed the post (yeah, that old chestnut). The most interesting player in this one for me is Hamilton. How will he respond to laying an egg against UNC? I think we need a good game out of him to pull out a close one, 65-59.
Vasherized said:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm
3 for 27? Jesus. I think Balbay could even best that.
I am pumped for this game, moreso than I was for UNC. This one’s at home and we’ve lost three straight to Izzo.
I love watching his teams play and there’s not a better feeling than taking down a well coached, disciplined team like Michigan State. Our Sweet 16 win over Sparty with TJ remains my favorite Texas win. The next one against UConn is up there as well.
I’m curious to see how Hamilton responds to the tongue lashing and time out Barnes gave him.
SkyMonkeyHorn said:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Izzo turns this into an UGLY,UGLY grind. Msu will have a chance if its low scoring but I doubt that Texas will be held below 80 points unless James and Dex forget how to rebound. Dog and Avery will have their hands full trying to guard 90 feet but at the same time Lucas ,Allen, Lucious will wear down.
JCB is the key, if he hits several 3’s you know Izzo will put a guard in his hip pocket. That opens room in the paint for Dex and James. Keep Dex on the floor for 20-25 productive minutes and Texas wins by 10-15 points.
Whats the line ?
SL Xpress said:
December 21st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I’m pretty sure it was the other way around, Vasherized. Sweet 16 victory over next year’s national champions, and an Elite Eight win versus Michigan State for a trip to the Final Four.
Over/under 38 total fouls in this game, what do you have?
Personally, I’ll take the over.
UT wildcatter said:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
SL
Did Magic play point in college? Did he just wreck shit at his height?
SkyMonkeyHorn said:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I have one bloody nose, two floor burns and a moving screen or two, plus a few elbows to boot. a Sparty hanging from a pear tree.
45 fouls and Texas shoots 74%.
Huckleberry said:
December 21st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
No line out yet. Sagarin has Texas by 14, Pomeroy has Texas by 19, my system has Texas by 17.
UT_BKC said:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
That seems a little high, doesn’t it?…
SL Xpress said:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Texas has been dominating opponents. All of these take margin of victory into account.
The computer systems had Texas somewhere around 17 or 18 for the North Carolina game, too.
Huckleberry said:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
What SLX said. Texas so far has been kicking people’s ass.
To put it in perspective, Texas’ current Pythagorean winning percentage according to kenpom.com is higher than any team’s from any year published on his site. That means that so far this season, 2009-10 Texas has been better than any other team from 2004-05 forward. 2007-08 Kansas is second by roughly a thousandth of a point over that timespan.
So with that in mind, those computer predictions don’t really seem high at all.
Huckleberry said:
December 21st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Massey has it at 18 points, FWIW.
Bob in Houston said:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Early line is Texas -7.
Art Vandelay said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
UTEP crushed OU. Sooners don’t look very Capelble.
Trips Right said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:31 pm
UTEP has some pretty good ball players that transferred in. Caracter and Pope are no joke.
Trips Right said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Willie Warren is a hopeless ball hog.
SL Xpress said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
If AJ Abrams, Willie Warren, and Lacedarius Dunn were on a 3 on 3 team, would there be a single pass made all game long?
SL Xpress said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
BTW, Warren isn’t just a ball hog on the court. He’s a ball hog with his teammates’ girlfriends as well.
They look like a very cohesive squad out there. You can tell they’ve really bought into playing defense.
Trips Right said:
December 21st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Well they’d have to inbound the ball at some point.
As far as ou’s defense, Tiny Gallon is as sound a defensive player as you’ll see. I mean, he is never out of position and always there to cut off penetration.
CrazyJoeDavola said:
December 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
But Tiny Gallon is huge and can hit three-pointers!
uthookem said:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Trips, I see what you did there…you is funny!
Also, as CJD pointed out, Tiny didn’t shoot the 3-ball like I expected. Granted, I only watched the second half as that was all my five miles on the treadmill would allow, so maybe he was on fire in the first half from downtown.
nordberg said:
December 21st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I’ll eat one of ctj’s golden bricks if we only score 65 points tomorrow night.
NateHeupel said:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
“I mean, he is never out of position…”
…in the buffet line
“and always there to cut off penetration…”
…to the dessert station
Barking Carnival — Blog — Texas Athletics: It Is Good To Be The King said:
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[...] #2, playing another Top Ten team in a meaningful game in December at home in from of (what should be) a noisy, sellout [...]
Texas blog previews MSU vs. Texas - no real bangers on this Spartan club said:
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
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Phil said:
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Hey guys, Spartan fan chiming in here. After watching the game you guys played against NC, I don’t think there’s any way that we can hang with you. Far and away the best team in the country IMO. But just one thing, the whole bumping and banging aspect of the big 10 is overrated. Between the ticky tack officiating and several teams that flop themselves to wins, the Big 10 is not nearly as physical during conference play as everyone thinks they are.
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