Is this basketball team really any good?

[AndyMSU]

First, I will say that I really hope it is. I love college basketball and really get into the entire season across the nation. As a MSU alumni I get pretty passionate watching the bulldogs play when I am lucky enough to watch out team play.

I have been able to see several of our games this year and I see glimpses of a good team coming together. Living abroad I don't get to see as many games as I wish I could but I do have a U.S. feed of ESPN 2 at my home. With that I did get to see both games in NYC against Arizona and aTm.

As I watch the W. Kentucky/Louisville game here tonight I find myself wondering if we can keep up with either of these teams. In my opinion I find both of these teams to have much better ball movement and screen setting on offense. I also believe I see more pure hustle, grit, and heart out of these players.

I took a few moments to give my own eye test to our opponents and in an overall sense we have not really beaten anyone yet. I will give some small credit to Arizona for taking Florida to OT, aTm is still without Kourtney Robinson who should give their team a spark but they just don't pack much of a punch when we played them or at this time, So. Alabama beat a respectable and rebuilding LSU team, Louisiana-Monroe has only one victory in this young season, Tennessee Martin has only 3 victories, and WVU is looking like they can't run with the big boys early in the first half against Baylor.

Statistically, our Bulldogs go 7 or 9 deep so far this season. To me our depth is going to be very important. The game against Baylor will tell a lot about this team and what foul trouble will or will not bring to the table.

I for one am really looking forward to the Baylor game and wish I could be in my hometown of Dallas to see the game, but will have to settle for a ESPN2 boradcast.

Let me know your thoughts on the potential of this team and what your keys are to having a successful run come NCAA tourney time.

 

[AndyMSU]

First, I will say that I really hope it is. I love college basketball and really get into the entire season across the nation. As a MSU alumni I get pretty passionate watching the bulldogs play when I am lucky enough to watch out team play.

I have been able to see several of our games this year and I see glimpses of a good team coming together. Living abroad I don't get to see as many games as I wish I could but I do have a U.S. feed of ESPN 2 at my home. With that I did get to see both games in NYC against Arizona and aTm.

As I watch the W. Kentucky/Louisville game here tonight I find myself wondering if we can keep up with either of these teams. In my opinion I find both of these teams to have much better ball movement and screen setting on offense. I also believe I see more pure hustle, grit, and heart out of these players.

I took a few moments to give my own eye test to our opponents and in an overall sense we have not really beaten anyone yet. I will give some small credit to Arizona for taking Florida to OT, aTm is still without Kourtney Robinson who should give their team a spark but they just don't pack much of a punch when we played them or at this time, So. Alabama beat a respectable and rebuilding LSU team, Louisiana-Monroe has only one victory in this young season, Tennessee Martin has only 3 victories, and WVU is looking like they can't run with the big boys early in the first half against Baylor.

Statistically, our Bulldogs go 7 or 9 deep so far this season. To me our depth is going to be very important. The game against Baylor will tell a lot about this team and what foul trouble will or will not bring to the table.

I for one am really looking forward to the Baylor game and wish I could be in my hometown of Dallas to see the game, but will have to settle for a ESPN2 boradcast.

Let me know your thoughts on the potential of this team and what your keys are to having a successful run come NCAA tourney time.

 

[KentuckyDawg13]

MSU has all the tools to be successful this year. Unfortunately, injuries may be an issue...we'll see. <div>
</div><div>Re: your statement about Louisville (UofL), I live in Louisville so thus am subjected to continual coverage of the team. While they are solid, MSU would have a field day on them. The Cards are SOOOO over-rated. No way they should be ranked in the Top 10. The UK/UofL game will showcase this statement. UK will win by 15. </div><div>
</div><div>With that said, the MSU/UK game will be a classic battle. Since it is @ The Hump, should make most here happy. We'll see.</div><div>
</div><div>Good time to be a Bulldog, fo sho. </div><div>
</div><div>Peace.</div><div>
</div>

 

[smootness]

If you don't think we could keep up with WKU, I can't help you.<div>
</div><div>We're very good and should get better. We have a real shot at beating Baylor next week.</div>

 

[Barkman Turner Overdrive]

We'll be lucky to go 8-8 in conference.**

 

[Faustdog]

in the last two games I've seen, we haven't played with much intensity. I didn't see the game in Jackson.We have the potential to be really good. We have as many legitimate scoring options as we've ever had.<div>
</div><div>We occasionally take plays off on defense and have a tendency to not get back quickly enough. I didn't see much of this against Arizona or WVA, so hopefully it's just a case of lack of motivation against obviously inferior opponents. When we have everyone focused we are very good defensively, especially when Deville is in. He is going to give opposing point guards fits for the next few years. Hopefully he can get himself under control on offense so that we can give him more minutes.</div><div>
</div><div>I think we will put it together. I see us as a top three SEC team. That will get us in the tourney. From there, anything can happen.</div>

 

[OffthePorch]

Best team we've had in years. im guessing 12-4 or 13-3.. win the West. Should make it to sweet 16 or elite 8.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

This year's team has more heart, hustle, and grit than any MSU team I can remember. Sidney not so much, but we don't see him for more than half a game. Moultrie, Hood, and Bost win games for us by working insanely hard every possession. Lewis, Steele, and Bryant are also no slouches, not by a long shot.

 

[OffthePorch]

This year's team has more heart, hustle, and grit than any MSU team I can remember. Sidney not so much, but we don't see him for more than half a game. Moultrie, Hood, and Bost win games for us by working insanely hard every possession. Lewis, Steele, and Bryant are also no slouches, not by a long shot.

 

[AndyMSU]

Best team we've had in years. im guessing 12-4 or 13-3.. win the West. Should make it to sweet 16 or elite 8.

I agree, winning the West would be a MIRACLE.... especially considering there is no more East or West divisions in basketball this year!

 

[38843dawg]

As I watch the W. Kentucky/Louisville game here tonight I find myself wondering if we can keep up with either of these teams. In my opinion I find both of these teams to have much better ball movement and screen setting on offense. I also believe I see more pure hustle, grit, and heart out of these players.

 

[GratefulDawg.sixpack]

IF we play perimeter defense. They've got a guy Heslip who has been lights out behind the perimeter. Moultrie should have a big game. If Sid, Bost and Steele have good games, this could be a big win.

 

[Hanmudog]

This team plays harder than any MSU team since the Lawrence Roberts led teams. They get a little lax versus lesser competition but then most teams do. I think you are judging us a little too harshly because our ball movement and offense against the zone has been light years better this season than in years past. Not many teams can put a starting 5 like ours on the floor.

Arizona, TAMU, and West Virginia may not be elite teams this year but all three will likely be in the NCAA tourney.</p>

 

[muscleshoalssound]

and we can't let their guards (#55 in particular) get in the lane and force our bigs to give away easy fouls. Baylor's bigs are long and athletic but had a bit of atendencyto shy away from physical play against WVU. If Moultire and Lewis can body up P. Jones and Acy, we can get some second chance points and beat them on the boards. Three point shooting is important too; Bost, Steele, Hood, etc. have to make open shots. We have a really good opportunity for a huge win come tourney time if we play with energy and hustle, which we have done in every big game this year.

 

[patdog]

As I watch the W. Kentucky/Louisville game here tonight I find myself wondering if we can keep up with either of these teams. In my opinion I find both of these teams to have much better ball movement and screen setting on offense. I also believe I see more pure hustle, grit, and heart out of these players.

Yeah, you definitely haven't seen this team play much.

Statistically, our Bulldogs go 7 or 9 deep so far this season. To me our depth is going to be very important.

We have an 8-man rotation. And that's plenty to go deep in the tournament. How deep was the 1996 team?

 

[MeridianDog]

This year's team has more heart, hustle, and grit than any MSU team I can remember. Sidney not so much, but we don't see him for more than half a game. Moultrie, Hood, and Bost win games for us by working insanely hard every possession. Lewis, Steele, and Bryant are also no slouches, not by a long shot.

Couldn't have said it better.So I won't try, other than to say ditto.

http://zerobearblog.blogspot.com/

 

[cowbell9]

sweet16ku

 

[PBRME]

Best team we've had in years. im guessing 12-4 or 13-3.. win the West. Should make it to sweet 16 or elite 8.

By far the best team since LRob's jr and season year.

 

[drunkernhelldawg]

I do like the basic question, and we do have stuff to find out, but that paragraph is an absurd cheap shot at something of somebody.

 

[AndyMSU]

I pull no cheapshots at anyone... just voicing my opinion from the MSU games I have seen this year as well as the other games I have been able to watch.

As a fan, I pull like hell when MSU is on the court and I want to see them destroy each and every opponent. I call out the hustle, heart, and grit of the team because of a loss to a very inferior Akron team as well as a few close calls to other lesser opponents. A win is a win and at the end of the day we are sitting in very good standing with an 11-1 record.

Next week will be a great test of our true ability as I am confident that we will see 100% effort on all levels against a very solid Baylor team.

I do admit to a mistake in saying the team goes 7 or 9 deep, I thought I had changed that typo to 7 or 8 deep.

Just wanted to start a conversation of other's opinions during this slow time around the holidays.

Go Dawgs!

 

[patdog]

Who doesn't have a bad loss at this point? Almost everyone has at least one. The wins over Arizona, A&M, & WVU will more than offset that one loss come selection time. I also think the win at Detroit will help us, at least if the committee is serious when it says it wants to reward teams for playing true road games at mid-majors. Plus Detroit very will could win the Horizon league. They're picked 2nd behind Butler in preseason.

 

[jacksdawgs]

[No message]

 

[mstateglfr]

We are good and all right now, but skull drag em? What the hell makes you think that? They aren't void of at least competent talent at any position, get out and run well on the break, and play tough D.

We could beat em at times, I'm sure. but skull drag em if we played?

 

[Wizard.sixpack]

nm

 

[gravedigger]

coupled with:

only seeing 'glimpses' of a good team coming together
you saw us play two quality opponents away from our home floor and win
lack of ball movement and screen setting.
we havnt played 'anyone' yet.
wvu is looking like they cant run with the big boys early in the 1st half vs baylor.

We've been very good in more than glimpses and in games you've seen. Rick has never run any organized form of ball movement nor have screens been much else but random. We have played and beaten everyone but a team that was playing the best basketball of their lives one night. WVU hung with Baylor at Baylor. Our winning or losing that game will not ultimately prove anything. Getting blown out might insinuate we arent ready for the bigtime just yet.

Your question with the word "ANY" will be relevant in March or late February. If you are still needing to ask it, you will probably already know the answer.

 

[gravedigger]

I sat and scored the Akron game and while I know most people focused on our poor play, I focused on their team and who was doing the damage.

They played well that night. Their big man kicked our *** before fouling out. Their ball movement was near perfect. Their defense was in our face all night.

If I'm going to watch us lose, I want it to be a team who at least played sound basketball to do it and not just because of one hot shooter and not much else.

That game will not be the reason for any lack of success this year.