College Basketball

[MSTSatchmo]

Wow.  That was unexpected.  It shows the potential of State though.  I saw the half score and expected Tennessee to make a run with their scorers.  The closest I saw while checking the score was 12.  Very impressive win. 

[David44]

I didn't see all the games this year, but that was the best game I have seen MS play thus far.

Cam Matthews at point guard just killed Tennessee. Defense and rebounding effort was outstanding.

 

[rebmus]

Outstanding job by State today. 

A NCAAT bid is definite now, the only question is seeding. 

I'm guessing no lower than a 9 seed with good chances to work up. 

[Bulldogs4]

In fairness, a team like TN did not have as much to play for today. Yes, they were in the running for a #1 seed. But a #2 seed is not a huge difference. I remember back in 2004 when State was 25-2 and we had won the conference.

And we laid an egg against Vandy in the SECT.

As a player, after winning the conference, I can image it is hard to be motivated for the conference tournament. 
 

Now that is to take nothing away from State as we played very well. Nothing fluky about the win. 
And it was a great win against the #5 team. 
Let’s keep it going!!!!

[Insideradvantage]

Rebs turn down NIT offer. Good!

[Bulldogs4]

46 minutes ago, Insideradvantage said:

Rebs turn down NIT offer. Good!

Wow. Interesting. I know the end of the season was disappointing but gosh if I am a player, I would want to keep playing as long as I can. 
 

Guess that is the difference in the mentality of today’s players compared to my youth which was 45+ years ago. I would keep playing until I could not. 

[Dawg83]

State gets Auburn tomorrow for a rubber match. My gut says if State wins they are an 8 seed, outside chance of a 7 seed if they win the tourney. Lose tomorrow and it’s probably a 9 seed, maybe a high 10. But should be well clear of the Dayton line now.

 

A&M beat Kentucky tonight and likely locked up their bid. So looking like 8 SEC teams will hear their names called Sunday.

Edited March 16, 2024 by Dawg83

[hasbeen67]

Watching MSU/Auburn. That looks like John Cohen behind the Auburn bench. Oh yeah, that is John Cohen. Strange when you remember him back to playing days. Another reason to win. 

Although, I know some were glad to see him gone.

Edited March 16, 2024 by hasbeen67

[Bulldogs4]

18 minutes ago, hasbeen67 said:

Watching MSU/Auburn. That looks like John Cohen behind the Auburn bench. Oh yeah, that is John Cohen. Strange when you remember him back to playing days. Another reason to win. 

Although, I know some were glad to see him gone.

That whole situation is still strange. 
He did do some good things here but at the end I think everyone was glad he left.

 

But him growing up in Tuscaloosa and then playing at State, then coaching at State, it would seem Auburn would be the last place he would have ever ended up at. 

[Dawg83]

This is a physical, physical game. Two good defenses. Honestly if you’re State, you kinda take being tied at the half with Hubbard and Tolu not doing much.

[Dawg83]

We may have a brawl before this one is over. Baker-Mazara is a turd and State has several guys who have made it very clear they are not fond of him.

[Bulldogs4]

I am actually okay with us losing this game.

We are safely in the Tournament and playing four games in four days is not necessarily what we need right now. I know in the moment we want to win but if we do not and it appears now that that is going to be the case, so be it. 

[Dawg83]

Overall positive weekend for State. No doubts going into tomorrow. Auburn just had more depth and had played one fewer game.

 

I think State’s a 9 or 10 seed with potential to be a nuisance for someone.

[Dawg83]

With the benefit of hindsight I think State needed that Tennessee win yesterday. The bubble has gone crazy this year. Might have been out had they only beaten LSU this weekend.

[Dawg83]

Andy Kennedy about to take UAB dancing. Good for them.

[Bulldogs4]

State is playing Michigan State in the first round.

They were 19-14. Somewhat similar to State. They lost a number of close games during the season. 
Honestly , this has the makings of a rock fight. 
I like how our team scraps and fights. Hopefully we can find a way to win and then see how we do against NC. 

[Dawg83]

That’s not an awful draw for State. A little surprised they got an 8 seed, was expecting a 9 or 10. Gotta get past Izzo which is never easy in March. But if you’re gonna be paired with a 1, might as well be the lowest ranked 1.

 

I’ll take it. Let the madness begin.

[rebmus]

3 hours ago, Dawg83 said:

That’s not an awful draw for State. A little surprised they got an 8 seed, was expecting a 9 or 10. Gotta get past Izzo which is never easy in March. But if you’re gonna be paired with a 1, might as well be the lowest ranked 1.

 

I’ll take it. Let the madness begin.

MSU and A&M were fairly rewarded for deep SECT runs with 8 and 9 seed bids. 

 

Auburn was the surprise seed to me, I thought they'd be a solid 3 seed with maybe a shot at a 2 seed after winning the SECT. 

 

[Dawg83]

22 minutes ago, rebmus said:

MSU and A&M were fairly rewarded for deep SECT runs with 8 and 9 seed bids. 

 

Auburn was the surprise seed to me, I thought they'd be a solid 3 seed with maybe a shot at a 2 seed after winning the SECT. 

 

And they got shipped to Spokane and placed in an absolute gauntlet of a Region. UConn, Iowa State, Illinois, Auburn are arguably the best 1, 2, 3, and 4 seed. And that’s not even counting a very good BYU team as a 6 seed and FAU and San Diego State who were both in the Final Four last year. It’s honestly one of the most stacked Regions I can ever recall in the years I’ve kept up with this.

 

Oddly enough, Auburn, Bama, and UAB are all playing in Spokane. Maybe they can share a plane or something.

 

 

[Dawg83]

The more I think about it, the more unsure I am that State (the Mississippi version) wins on Thursday. State had the better season of the two teams but I just can’t shake the reminder that Izzo is a wizard this time of year. This is the same core group of players that made the Sweet 16 last year where they lost in OT. Jans and his team have some experience too so maybe it can counteract some of Michigan State’s.

 

My heart says Dogs win, my gut is leaning toward Sparty.

[Dawg83]

So the selection committee puts Virginia in as the team not many had getting in, and UVA thanks them by scoring 14 points in the first half tonight. Dear gosh.

[Dawg83]

Bad first half for State, lucky to only be down 7. As I feared, Michigan State is playing well in March like they always do. Outside of Hubbard, State has been a total no show so far. Matthews getting in early foul trouble set the tone.

Edited March 21, 2024 by Dawg83

[MSTSatchmo]

You would hope the team that showed flashes of being able to beat anyone would show up, but you’re getting the State team from the majority of the season.  They’re just too inconsistent to make a run in a tournament.  

[Dawg83]

3 minutes ago, MSTSatchmo said:

You would hope the team that showed flashes of being able to beat anyone would show up, but you’re getting the State team from the majority of the season.  They’re just too inconsistent to make a run in a tournament.  

I think there’s simply too many holes on this roster. This group showed that they can make the tournament but it’s looking like two straight years of 0-1 once they got there.

 

A lot of them will be gone next year but it’s clear that more scoring ability is needed. This team became Hubbard and the band of misfits down the stretch, especially once Tolu fell off the last few weeks.

 

And to be fair, you gotta give Sparty credit. Hardly the first time Izzo has done this in March. Apparently he’s the all time leader in wins as a lower seed.

[maroontide06]

A wire-to-wire win for Michigan State.  I don't reckon they could have scripted that any better.