Just re-watched the Elite 8 MSU game

[huskiesnyc]

I know Ollie preaches Level 5 but Boatright's 2nd half defense was Level 6! The kid has matured so much in his 3 years and I don't think many people thought he would stick around and graduate. With his improved decision making, shooting, defense and athleticism I think there is a place for him in the NBA and I'm pulling for him. He'll definitely make a lot of money somewhere and buy Tanesha Boat a big house

Back to the game. Elite 8 games are always the most nerve wracking for me, because only championships and final 4's are how elite programs are measured. You are so close but if you don't win that game it doesn't matter, and we've had plenty of E8 losses. KO's strategy to make MSU play half court offense totally took Izzo by surprise and he had no answer. Such a gutsy win and even sweeter we did it in our second home, the Garden. This game was probably the most emotional I have gotten after a victory. Really special seeing Coach Calhoun and KO hug each other after. Thanks to @tcf15 for putting this on youtube

 

[Gurleyman]

I know Ollie preaches Level 5 but Boatright's 2nd half defense was Level 6! The kid has matured so much in his 3 years and I don't think many people thought he would stick around and graduate. With his improved decision making, shooting, defense and athleticism I think there is a place for him in the NBA and I'm pulling for him. He'll definitely make a lot of money somewhere and buy Tanesha Boat a big house Back to the game. Elite 8 games are always the most nerve racking for me, because only championships and final 4's are how elite programs are measured. You are so close but if you don't win that game it doesn't matter, and we've had plenty of E8 losses. KO's strategy to make MSU play half court offense totally took Izzo by surprise and he had no answer. Such a gutsy win and even sweeter we did it in our second home, the Garden. This game was probably the most emotional I have gotten after a victory. Really special seeing Coach Calhoun and KO hug each other after. Thanks to @tcf15 for putting this on youtube YouTube Video

I was actually going to add Alabama to the thread about our favorite games, for the precise reason that was the one time we played in the EE and just crushed it, taking away any wracking of nerves. Taliek was a maestro and Gordon and Rashad took turn throwing daggers - we didn't even need Emeka in the second half with his injury. I like those big games when we lead by 25 at the half.

 

[otp85]

I've said it once and I'll say it again; for everything Shabazz gave us in that tournament run you couldn't ask for more out of Boat. You could argue he played harder anyone.

If that is the Ryan Boatright that comes to play next year we'll be in good shape.

 

[superjohn]

Has there ever in tournament history been a backcourt of sub 6 footers that's played at the level of Napier and Boatright, I've never seen it.

 

[RichZ]

Funny, but I rewatched the same one last night. What I came away from it with was how good Phil's gotten at setting screens. Kind of Jake-like in that regard.

 

[alexd]

Last night I rewatched the F4 semi vs FL. We won.

So much fun sitting down a few months later and doing this. I seem to catch little things I missed the first 3 or 4 times I watched each game.

And I just realized, I deleted the St Joe's game for some reason. I have all 5 that followed. I believe I did that not long after they had won that ugly game. Obviously, at this point in time, it would be great to have all 6.

 

[Kitaman]

Has there ever in tournament history been a backcourt of sub 6 footers that's played at the level of Napier and Boatright, I've never seen it.

LOL, yeah back in the 50s, 60s and early 70s. Things (i.e. backcourts) have certainly changed since then.

 

[Gurleyman]

Our five Final Four teams have all had small backcourts, although this year's was the smallest. Our teams that were upset mostly had bigger backcourts. Perhaps coincidental to a degree, since we were one steal or (perhaps) one foul shot away from making it with a 6-5 point guard (or co-point guard).

 

[J187Money]

I was actually going to add Alabama to the thread about our favorite games, for the precise reason that was the one time we played in the EE and just crushed it, taking away any wracking of nerves. Taliek was a maestro and Gordon and Rashad took turn throwing daggers - we didn't even need Emeka in the second half with his injury. I like those big games when we lead by 25 at the half.

I know we have had lots of greats. But I LOVED Rashad Anderson. Probably my favorite non superstar player.

 

[otp85]

But I LOVED Rashad Anderson. Probably my favorite non superstar player.

Ricky Moore

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Ricky Moore

Ricky Moore against Duke was one of the great All-round performances ever.
He made K job extremely difficult.
Proving he could score at will prevented any thought of doubling.
Stopping their pentration was key to defending them.

 

[Waquoit]

Ricky Moore against Duke was one of the great All-round performances ever.
He made K job extremely difficult.
Proving he could score at will prevented any thought of doubling.
Stopping their pentration was key to defending them.

That team was as tight as a drum when the game started. Ricky made a couple of plays, the other guys relaxed and it was on.