UConn vs MSU (Sweet 16)

[Mike Honcho]

I went to the 2009 Final Four. Nothing is worse than Sparty. Not Duke, not Kentucky, nothing.

I was also there and vouch for this. Long story but I ended up buying a single ticket through UConn despite having no university affiliation. As did 100s of MSU undergrads. I was sitting in a lion's den of belligerent 20 somethings who couldn't have been more vile. I ended up switching sections at halftime.

 

[Scottobot]

Not great. Ross is a good overall defender but really bad about going for fakes.

better this year than last, but still bites too much

 

[Scottobot]

I was also there and vouch for this. Long story but I ended up buying a single ticket through UConn despite having no university affiliation. As did 100s of MSU undergrads. I was sitting in a lion's den of belligerent 20 somethings who couldn't have been more vile. I ended up switching sections at halftime.

Its crazy that Izzo was their coach then and still is, 17 years later. He was and old timer then.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[B1GEast]

Stats don't mean anything,, we're the 2 seed, they're the 3 seed.

This is a one game playoff

I wouldn't base any expectations off of previous games or stats.

Like any other game, limit turnovers, stay out of foul trouble and manage the clock. Easier said than done, but we're a higher seed for a reason.

They should be worried about us.

 

[superjohn]

Not great. Ross is a good overall defender but really bad about going for fakes.

He's cleaned that up lately and he's been a lockdown defender lately.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Again, I have the upmost respect for Izzo and Michigan St. They deserve to be here.

Just like us, they took advantage of playing a team in the 2nd round without their best player.

I will just point that the same team we beat last night beat Michigan St in the Big 10 tournament, and they were missing their best player for most of that game.

 

[TroyHall98]

Coach K’s analysis is flawed as he admits to not seeing us play much.

 

[bendm]

This will be payback for the 2009 FF defeat. The only time UConn has lost a FF game. It was a great game - back and forth most of the way but Uconn couldnt close the gap at the end. UConn missed 12 FTs which really hurt them. Thabeet, Price, Kemba, Stanley Robinson - UConn team was loaded - ended the season 31-5.

I thought we got our payback in 2014? But we deserve double payback with interest.

 

[Scrappy3]

I’d start Ross at 2 g and let him guard their one Takes pressure off Silas who can guard a 2/3

 

[bendm]

I’d start Ross at 2 g and let him guard their one Takes pressure off Silas who can guard a 2/3

I think Silas and Smith will be on Fears because MSU has big starting wings with Scott (6’7 but slender) and Carr (6’6 and a tank). We match up much better with Mullins at the 2 and Ross at the 3 for that reason. Ross and hopefully Stew are the best matchups for Carr in particular.

Koehler and Cooper aren’t that big at the 4 and 5 so I really like AK and Reed in both matchups.

 

[JVN]

Dan Hurley Still Coaching UConn, Not Lakers, in Part Thanks to Tom Izzo’s Friendly Advice

Hurley apparently leaned on Michigan State’s Tom Izzo for some career advice.

www.si.com

 

[Waquoit]

I was also there and vouch for this. Long story but I ended up buying a single ticket through UConn despite having no university affiliation. As did 100s of MSU undergrads. I was sitting in a lion's den of belligerent 20 somethings who couldn't have been more vile. I ended up switching sections at halftime.

Vile! That word hadn't come to me but it's perfect. Taking a whiz was a gauntlet of verbal abuse. And not just the 20-somethings.

 

[aceboon]

Figured it would be the case with Duke in the region, Eagle/Raftery/Hill are on the call for Friday/Sunday's regional

 

[Leebo]

Michigan State ranks 296th on Torvik in defensive turnover rate... Love to see that.

 

[huskyjawz]

All time they've played each other 8 times (6 neutral) with the series tied 4-4. MSU has won the last two games, 64-60 in 2021 and that 20 point drubbing in 2017. They got UConn in 09 but Huskies got revenge 5 years later with two regular season wins in between including 2010 maui. This is a rubber match of sorts, best of 9 and march madness best of 3 too as they're tied 1-1 in the tourney. UConn beat them soundly in 1999 in the first ever match between the two teams and they turned around and did the same to UConn a year later. 5 of 8 games decided by single digits.

So pretty decent history the past 27 ye

Vile! That word hadn't come to me but it's perfect. Taking a whiz was a gauntlet of verbal abuse. And not just the 20-somethings.

Even after the game they were s. You would think since they won they would have nothing to be bitter about.

 

[DCKembaFan]

Are we sure that Azzi can't rain threes for both the women and men this weekend?

 

[aboogieee]

He's cleaned that up lately and he's been a lockdown defender lately.

Agreed. The only (defensive) thing I’d critique Ross on is his communication when switching. It looked much better against UCLA, but Furman got quite a few open looks due to a lack of communication.