Scratching My Head Over This

[Crossblock]

First, let me say that I am delighted that MSU beat Duke to reach the Final Four, and that Tom Izzo always has his team prepared to make a run in March. However, Izzo in the interview after the game said that this may be the most mentally tough team he has ever coached. Yet somehow this mentally tough team lost two regular season games to IU, a team that by observation and reporting is mentally fragile and soft. I get the fact that we played them in East Lansing right after they lost one of their key players for the season to a knee injury, and made 6 of 27 free throws, something that wouldn't happen to a junior high school team if you had them shoot free throws blindfolded at a practice. They overcame the late season hand injury to Ward as well as the season ending loss of a key player (their Langford, not ours) to win the Big Ten Tournament and get to the Final Four. Given our history of futility against MSU over the years, were we just lucky this year, or did MSU play down to the quality of the competition in our two games against them? Just wondering.

 

[Hoosier Manic]

IU's problems were team chemistry...and consistency playing with focus...

 

[CriticArisen]

First, let me say that I am delighted that MSU beat Duke to reach the Final Four, and that Tom Izzo always has his team prepared to make a run in March. However, Izzo in the interview after the game said that this may be the most mentally tough team he has ever coached. Yet somehow this mentally tough team lost two regular season games to IU, a team that by observation and reporting is mentally fragile and soft. I get the fact that we played them in East Lansing right after they lost one of their key players for the season to a knee injury, and made 6 of 27 free throws, something that wouldn't happen to a junior high school team if you had them shoot free throws blindfolded at a practice. They overcame the late season hand injury to Ward as well as the season ending loss of a key player (their Langford, not ours) to win the Big Ten Tournament and get to the Final Four. Given our history of futility against MSU over the years, were we just lucky this year, or did MSU play down to the quality of the competition in our two games against them? Just wondering.

Best to peak at the end of the season going in to the tourny. Izzo knows that. We all know teams that had great regular seasons and then sucked in the tourny or playoffs.

 

[ufo33]

Best to peak at the end of the season going in to the tourny. Izzo knows that. We all know teams that had great regular seasons and then sucked in the tourny or playoffs.

You defined Purdue historically.

 

[CriticArisen]

You defined Purdue historically.

Hmm...yes you’re right.

 

[cryano]

First, let me say that I am delighted that MSU beat Duke to reach the Final Four, and that Tom Izzo always has his team prepared to make a run in March. However, Izzo in the interview after the game said that this may be the most mentally tough team he has ever coached. Yet somehow this mentally tough team lost two regular season games to IU, a team that by observation and reporting is mentally fragile and soft. I get the fact that we played them in East Lansing right after they lost one of their key players for the season to a knee injury, and made 6 of 27 free throws, something that wouldn't happen to a junior high school team if you had them shoot free throws blindfolded at a practice. They overcame the late season hand injury to Ward as well as the season ending loss of a key player (their Langford, not ours) to win the Big Ten Tournament and get to the Final Four. Given our history of futility against MSU over the years, were we just lucky this year, or did MSU play down to the quality of the competition in our two games against them? Just wondering.

Geez Jeff Lewis...just ask Gage...