I watched the MSU-Miami(FL) basketball game and a few things became very evident by the end of the night.
1. They have a difficult time defending the 3 point line. Miami was 9 for 16 for the game (56%). You aren't going to beat many teams guarding like that. MSU struggles with the pick and roll as well. Teams pick and roll them to death. They either score or go to the free throw line at an alarmingly high rate.
2. Russell Byrd and Brandan Kearney aren't gonna be much help this season. Byrd was brought in to make shots and he just isn't doing it. Kearney looks confused most of the time. He can shoot it but its as if he forgets what is going on so he takes off running to a different spot on the floor. I think many fans were extremely happy to see Travis Trice and Gary Harris back in the lineup. I am not a big fan of Trice playing point as he doesn't have the vision of a good point guard. Case in point last night was when he got a steal on the sideline and weaved his way across the court. He had Appling on his left and Harris on his right but he decided to drop it off to Adreian Payne. Mind you, Payne can make jump shots but not from 4 feet beyond the 3 point line. That killed a fast break opportunity and State didn't score on that possession. They recruited him to play point guard but I just don't see it working.
3. Branden Dawson hasn't figured it out yet. He is extremely athletic and talented but the light bulb has yet to go on for him. Some times it takes a few years for the game to come easily and for a talented player to go out and just play the game without pressing. Izzo and Spartan fans were hoping that he would be a big time player this season and I just don't think it is gonna happen. He has an NBA body but doesn't have the ability to attack the rim on a consistent basis and has absolutely no jump shot. Once he develops those aspects of his game, the sky is the limit. Another thing I noticed about him was that when he made a mistake, he sulked. He needed to put his head down and sprint back on defense. Multiple times Miami had a 3 on 1 or 2 on 1 break because he jogged back.
4. They looked fatigued both physically and mentally. They got behind and just didn't have the look of a team that could make a run. MSU teams of the past always had a run in them. Maybe they didn't win but they didn't let the other team handle them with ease.
5. Miami is a pretty good team that has experience and skill on their side. They also have a very good coach in Jim Larranaga. They have solid bigs, a go to scorer and they played with energy. That combination can take you places.
I think that they will improve as the year moves forward. Guys will figure out their roles and become impact players if only for a few minutes. The Big Ten is loaded and arguably the best conference in the nation so if they don't figure it out, it could be a long, tough year.
Also, Coach Izzo, I love the fact that you are willing to play anyone, anywhere. It makes your team tougher in the long run. But maybe you could schedule a few more off days in between.
1. They have a difficult time defending the 3 point line. Miami was 9 for 16 for the game (56%). You aren't going to beat many teams guarding like that. MSU struggles with the pick and roll as well. Teams pick and roll them to death. They either score or go to the free throw line at an alarmingly high rate.
2. Russell Byrd and Brandan Kearney aren't gonna be much help this season. Byrd was brought in to make shots and he just isn't doing it. Kearney looks confused most of the time. He can shoot it but its as if he forgets what is going on so he takes off running to a different spot on the floor. I think many fans were extremely happy to see Travis Trice and Gary Harris back in the lineup. I am not a big fan of Trice playing point as he doesn't have the vision of a good point guard. Case in point last night was when he got a steal on the sideline and weaved his way across the court. He had Appling on his left and Harris on his right but he decided to drop it off to Adreian Payne. Mind you, Payne can make jump shots but not from 4 feet beyond the 3 point line. That killed a fast break opportunity and State didn't score on that possession. They recruited him to play point guard but I just don't see it working.
3. Branden Dawson hasn't figured it out yet. He is extremely athletic and talented but the light bulb has yet to go on for him. Some times it takes a few years for the game to come easily and for a talented player to go out and just play the game without pressing. Izzo and Spartan fans were hoping that he would be a big time player this season and I just don't think it is gonna happen. He has an NBA body but doesn't have the ability to attack the rim on a consistent basis and has absolutely no jump shot. Once he develops those aspects of his game, the sky is the limit. Another thing I noticed about him was that when he made a mistake, he sulked. He needed to put his head down and sprint back on defense. Multiple times Miami had a 3 on 1 or 2 on 1 break because he jogged back.
4. They looked fatigued both physically and mentally. They got behind and just didn't have the look of a team that could make a run. MSU teams of the past always had a run in them. Maybe they didn't win but they didn't let the other team handle them with ease.
5. Miami is a pretty good team that has experience and skill on their side. They also have a very good coach in Jim Larranaga. They have solid bigs, a go to scorer and they played with energy. That combination can take you places.
I think that they will improve as the year moves forward. Guys will figure out their roles and become impact players if only for a few minutes. The Big Ten is loaded and arguably the best conference in the nation so if they don't figure it out, it could be a long, tough year.
Also, Coach Izzo, I love the fact that you are willing to play anyone, anywhere. It makes your team tougher in the long run. But maybe you could schedule a few more off days in between.
I agree with everything Tim but I am tired of hearing about fatigue and 5 games in 11 days. Those games were at home and against cupcakes for the most part(although it didn't seem like it). Shouldn't be that big of a fatigue factor. I honestly think Izzo's teams start so slow early in the year because they have so much to think about on the court rather than playing on instincts and by the end of the year they have everything down (offense plays, defense, etc...) that they can just go out and play rather than thinking so much.
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