Michigan State College Hoops: Anyone, Anywhere

This has long been the motto of Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans basketball team. They have played everywhere from overseas to the deck of a aircraft carrier.

Where many college programs choose to start their season with fluff games that will help them pad their stats and give them a false sense of the grandiose, Izzo always chooses to match up with some of the toughest teams in the country right off the bat.

Occasionally, it works out well for him. Other times (like last night), not so much.

I was a bit apprehensive when I saw that the Spartans were ranked #1 nationally in the preseason pole. I never know what kind of performance I am going to get from my beloved Spartans and my fear was that ranking them so high was just setting them up to fall.

As you can see, fall they did to the #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Looking at the stats, it appears that turn overs continue to be a problem with the Michigan State team. They had 16 turn overs versus 10 turn overs on the Kentucky side. If you assume two points were scored off of each turn over, those twelve points clearly would have made the difference between winning and losing.

Their three point shooting was abysmal and that needs to be fixed. Going 5 for 26 outside the arc is just unacceptable. If you can't make the shot, drive the ball in. The offensive rebound numbers at 7 is a good indication that they were not following their shot after those failed three point attempts.

Kentucky is a good team, I don't deny that one bit. I just don't feel like the Spartans played up to their potential in this game. The good thing is it is still early in the season. The bad thing is as a team they may be running out of time as s whole.

It kills me to say it, but as good as Izzo is, I am not sure how many more disappointing trips to the big dance he is going to be able to make. With all the talent he has had over the years on his team, they have never been able to rise to the occasion in the tournament.

I have not doubt that fact has not been overlooked by the athletics backers and fans alike. They just might be too ashamed to talk about it...