NCAA Sweet 16: (9) Northern Iowa vs (5) Michigan State

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Azubuike24's avatar

Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Mar 22, 2010 10:51 PM
Again, so many storylines coming into this game. Both teams coming off emotional weekends with dramatic victories, but you have to wonder how MSU will respond with a veteran club minus Kalin Lucas against a team who has to kick it into gear after what was likely the greatest weekend in school history.

I actually like Northern Iowa to win here. They will actually have a big advantage inside, and honestly, I think Adam Koch can limit Raymar Morgan enough that MSU is going to struggle mightily to score. This game is going to be in the high-50's at most, and will probably be close, but it sets up perfectly for UNI to have a chance to go to the Final Four.

Interestingly enough, UNI is a 2-point underdog. I definitely will be on that.
Mar 22, 2010 10:51pm
wes_mantooth's avatar

wes_mantooth

Tomfoolery & shenanigans

17,977 posts
Mar 22, 2010 10:55 PM
Izzo is a hell of a coach, but I just think they are too shorthanded to win this one.
Mar 22, 2010 10:55pm
Cleveland Buck's avatar

Cleveland Buck

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5,126 posts
Mar 22, 2010 10:56 PM
If Lucas wasn't hurt, I take Sparty in a second. Without him, it will be tough. Lucious is a good shooter, but their offense suffers when he has to run the show. I don't think UNI plays as well as they did against KU, so it will be close. Even without Lucas, Michigan State will still have a better player at every position except PG. Too close to call right now. If UNI holds onto that magic for one more game, then they will keep playing. If not, Sparty will grind out a close one.
Mar 22, 2010 10:56pm
Azubuike24's avatar

Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Mar 22, 2010 11:01 PM
Does Michigan State have a better center than Eglseder? Not sure Morgan is better than Koch either. It's pretty close without Lucas, talent-wise. I'll give you SG and SF, but the other 3 are really close.
Mar 22, 2010 11:01pm
Cleveland Buck's avatar

Cleveland Buck

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Mar 22, 2010 11:05 PM
Draymond Green is a hell of a player. I don't think he starts, but he plays starter minutes. I would take him over Eglseder.
Mar 22, 2010 11:05pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

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29,506 posts
Mar 22, 2010 11:05 PM
I think in terms of pure talent MSU is better than UNI at every position. But that is the case with most mid majors vs the Big Six conferences. They win with experience and smart play. I think this game is decided squarely at the PG position. Whichever team gets the bigger impact (relative to what is needed on the given night) they will win.
Mar 22, 2010 11:05pm
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CinciX12

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Mar 22, 2010 11:13 PM
Come on Spartans!
Mar 22, 2010 11:13pm
Terry_Tate's avatar

Terry_Tate

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Mar 22, 2010 11:17 PM
I made a bet with a buddy before the season that Michigan State would make at least the Elite 8 this year. When the brackets came out I almost just gave him the 20 bucks, but thought nah, if anyone can beat Kansas it's Tom Izzo. Glad that doesn't matter. :)

I think this should be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend. May not be pretty, but will be fun to watch, and whoever wins will probably have their last win of the tournament, though stranger things have happened. If Northern Iowa was going up against pretty much anyone else I'd be rooting for them, but gotta root for Sparty on Friday.
Mar 22, 2010 11:17pm
Azubuike24's avatar

Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Mar 22, 2010 11:20 PM
Cleveland Buck wrote: Draymond Green is a hell of a player. I don't think he starts, but he plays starter minutes. I would take him over Eglseder.
Green isn't a center though. MSU has no true center. Green has a really nice game, I wish he would have stayed at Kentucky, but MSU doesn't have anyone who can match Eglseder's size. That doesn't mean they can't stop him, but they don't have the advantage at the 5.

They do have more quality depth, I won't deny that, but starter for starter, UNI isn't that far off.
Mar 22, 2010 11:20pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Mar 22, 2010 11:44 PM
UNI seems to be the trendy pick
Mar 22, 2010 11:44pm
C

centralbucksfan

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5,111 posts
Mar 23, 2010 3:38 PM
I'll go with MSU. No way I can go against Izzo and the experience of being there and done that vs a team that hasn't been this far. If Roe and Allen are capable of playing, and doing ok....I just believe Izzo will rally the troops. You know what he is telling his team every day right now....everyone is picking against you, with Lucas, no one thinks you have a chance, etc, etc. The guy will have his team motivated and ready to go. He will make this game a physical, ugly game from the start. They will win it as they typically do, offensive rebounding will be the difference. UNI is certianly good enough to win...but I like MSU in this game.
Mar 23, 2010 3:38pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Mar 26, 2010 1:28 PM
937 tip...I thinkt hat NIU stays in it at first, and slowly just gets worn down by MSU
Mar 26, 2010 1:28pm
D

Dr Jones

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52 posts
Mar 26, 2010 6:03 PM
MSU by 8 Izzo best game coach of all time ...IMO...... and then off to play OSU for final four birth.....GO GREEN GO WHITE
Mar 26, 2010 6:03pm
Azubuike24's avatar

Azubuike24

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15,933 posts
Mar 26, 2010 6:12 PM
Surprised at so many people who are thinking MSU will be too much.

I think the opposite.

This line has moved from MSU -2 to even, and some even have UNI as a slight favorite now.

Everyone is trending toward the Panthers.
Mar 26, 2010 6:12pm
E

Eric Taylor

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602 posts
Mar 26, 2010 9:33 PM
I am hoping Northern Iowa wins tonight and makes the Final 4.
Mar 26, 2010 9:33pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Mar 26, 2010 9:33 PM
Cindarella story ends tonight
Mar 26, 2010 9:33pm
Mulva's avatar

Mulva

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13,650 posts
Mar 26, 2010 9:49 PM
Derrick Nix belongs at dinner with the Klumps, not playing major college basketball.
Mar 26, 2010 9:49pm
Cleveland Buck's avatar

Cleveland Buck

Troll Hunter

5,126 posts
Mar 26, 2010 9:50 PM
Looks like Sparty has no chance without Lucas.
Mar 26, 2010 9:50pm
Cleveland Buck's avatar

Cleveland Buck

Troll Hunter

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Mar 26, 2010 9:51 PM
Can't even get a good look on offense.
Mar 26, 2010 9:51pm
Mulva's avatar

Mulva

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Mar 26, 2010 10:29 PM
Northern Iowa just looks like the better team. This wouldn't be an upset at all.
Mar 26, 2010 10:29pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Mar 26, 2010 10:52 PM
Damn delvon.....
Mar 26, 2010 10:52pm
Mulva's avatar

Mulva

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Mar 26, 2010 10:57 PM
That follow dunk was the most explosive I've seen him look since he blew his knee up in high school. I've always been a Delvon fan.
Mar 26, 2010 10:57pm
Hb31187's avatar

Hb31187

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Mar 26, 2010 11:04 PM
lol they just throw the ball up and have Summers go get it
Mar 26, 2010 11:04pm
Non's avatar

Non

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Mar 26, 2010 11:34 PM
51-49 State

only 3:17 left
Mar 26, 2010 11:34pm
Non's avatar

Non

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9,517 posts
Mar 26, 2010 11:35 PM
you have to think Tennessee should do well against the winner of this game if they continue playing how they've been playing

althought it doesn't always work out like that

new game, different day
Mar 26, 2010 11:35pm