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Get Started4 guys in double digits, won the rebound battle, 85% from the FT line - other than turnovers it was a pretty complete game and really fun to watch.
It's early, but it looks like Sissoko has taken a bigger year-to-year step than any big man I've seen at MSU in a long time. Played great defense, cut down on fouls, seemed to know where to be on offense - was really in sync w/ Walker and had some nice finishes on a couple back door ally-oops. I certainly wasn't expecting that (I've been pretty rough on the guy) and I'm glad to see it. Turnovers were still a problem but overall guard play was really solid and needs to be that way consistently as the one thing we lack besides depth up front is that one guy that can take over a game or get buckets when you need them.
If they can get Hall to come out of his shell more (although he did have a sneaky 20 last night - didn't think he scored that many) and Akins to take the next step they'll be really tough to beat - as it is if they play like this they'll certainly compete for a B1G title. Still don't like watching Hoggard - he's become a pretty reliable PG but there's just something about the way he plays that's hard for me to watch.
And how about those in-bounding plays? I've grown so accustomed to "WTF, you called timeout to do that?" I was shocked to see us extend the game twice with amazing plays off a timeout.
On Hall, he was given the task of chasing UK's best perimeter shooters around all game yesterday. And he gave up almost no open looks from 3 all game. And his on the ball defense was fine too. I bet he was more exhausted than any other player after the game.
UK is a legit team, much more experienced than Coach Cal's teams usually are. I like them to beat Gonzaga Sunday when they play. They were as or more physical than we were last night and I thought Gonzaga shied away from contact when we played them and made their run to win it when the refs tightened up the game with the whistle.
Hoggard has trouble against more athletic guards like UK and Gonzaga have. He'll be a bully against most Big Ten guards. But even when he's not getting to the hoop, he's still passing the ball well, had 9 assists last night.
Don't know what this teams ceiling is, it's really early. But I do know that a week ago people were thinking 2-4 or 3-3 in their first 6 games would be fine, now I think everyone would be disappointed with 4-2. And what a crazy variety of teams we're playing. Gonzaga, UK, Villanova, Alabama, and ND all play such different styles, you couldn't pick 5 other teams that are more different to prepare for.
Gonzaga will get into their joke conference schedule and be a 1 seed. UK I think will get better as the season goes on. We probably just lost to a 1 seed by 1, and beat a 2 or a 3 seed.
Mady is a revelation, last 2 games against what I think are clearly the 2 best centers in college basketball and he goes for 32 and 17. And more than that, he looks like the heart of the team, his energy is contagious, and he looks like he's playing harder than every one else on the floor.
it's a great win against a good team but I'm at "cautiously optimistic" at this point - way ahead of where I was a week ago. Kentucky always has great talent but I'm not convinced they're a great team and I don't think Cal is a great coach. Still a great win for the resume - I hate that i have to cheer for KY to have a great season now.
That's great. We are great. Kentucky is great. Izzo is great. Cal is not so great. It was a great win vs a great opponent and will greatly increase our chances for the NCAA tournament.....which should be a great one this year.
Great!!!
That's great. We are great. Kentucky is great. Izzo is great. Cal is not so great. It was a great win vs a great opponent and will greatly increase our chances for the NCAA tournament.....which should be a great one this year.
Great!!!
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