Fullbacksympathy

Bottom line: the 2 best seasons in 2 decades have happened under Miles' tenure, and this regular season wasn't a "hot streak." We are just a good team. That hasn't happened in 20 years. If we keep our core, we're going to be ranked throughout next season. There was nothing fluky about this year, and the coaching philosophy changes were notably better. That's a really, really big deal. God I hope there is no attrition. We could be downright scary next season.

MSU and Purdue lost 1 game at home this year. OSU lost 2 games at home. We played horrible at MSU, be we played as well as damned near anyone else against Purdue and OSU on their home court. All of our Tier 1 losses were on the road besides KU. We split those games at home at the very least.

"We lost to the hottest team in the country handily when it mattered." - Nebraska/#2 Michigan State/#8 Purdue We also kicked Michigan's ass when it mattered, and Penn State's, and we would've beat OSU handily on our home court. I think MSU and probably Purdue beats us anywhere.

According to USA Today/Coaches Poll Top 25 votes, we are currently ranked 33rd in the country. There should be absolutely no issue as to whether we're in the tournament or not. This is so dumb. Whatever. Give Miles an extension. Whether or not we are actually selected, we made the tournament in my eyes and he and staff have done a tremendous job this season.

Yup. I think X allows Allen to go to the 2 full-time and live outside the arc in Gill's role. If Allen is allowed to set up for wide open threes the same way Gill has this season, I think they go in at an even higher clip with Allen--and that says a lot because Gill has been great in that role. X is a true, true point guard and is going to absolutely run things here. He'll play immediately.

Nana's future seems to be in the 3 and D realm if he can work out the D part. I have hopes for him to be a contributor as he seems to be a great team player and is very well liked. Plus he can light it up from the arc. Those guys typically find a way onto the court eventually. I think he's athletic enough to adjust to game speed after a summer of weights. Thor is a bit of a wildcard, but definitely has guard skills (ball handling, passing, decent enough shooting). Xavier is going to contribute immediately. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. It'll be interesting to see how T. Allen grows in his role. I don't see him as a PG next year with X in the lineup. I think he'll slide right into Gill's spot and live beyond the arc... where he will destroy. Watson/Johnson Allen Palmer Copeland/McVeigh/ (possibility of Heiman if he gains 15lbs--good mobility, skill, elite shotblocker) Roby/Tshimanga I think that's your 8-man. Unknowns: Heiman, Nana, Thor

Michigan still has to play at Maryland on senior night. They are far from a 5th seed lock if they lose to PSU. This game has huge implications for several teams. Cool.

Great team win against a solid foe. Once again, we have a lot of talent, and it tends to separate itself in the last 7-8 minutes against decent competition. Another testament of TM's recruiting. Interesting: this season has had several B-level grade games where we win because of our talent. That hasn't happened since the 90s. Until this season, it has typically taken an A-A+ game to beat anyone in conference, and a B grade was either a tossup against bottom feeders or a blowout against good teams. We brought our B game to Purdue and OSU and were close to winning both. It's a great sign. If we manage hit our A game on Sunday, watch the hell out in post season.

So picking a Mich/PSU favorite really comes down to which is more important: a guaranteed 4 seed B1G tourney bye, or a guaranteed Tier 1 win. It's kind of a wash, but to play devil's advocate with the Michigan enthusiasts, some of the intangibles that might come with a PSU win: 1. We'll be relieved to get the bye and likely play more loose. 2. Michigan could still end up being a Tier 1 team, and definitely will be in the B1G tourney if we play them again. 3. The PSU win will look more impressive. It would mean, when healthy, the only B1G teams that beat them down the stretch were us, MSU, and PU. 4. I wouldn't mind Michigan being a couple of games back, a 20-pt loss to us, and still a Tier 1 opportunity in the tournament. If they lose to PSU and we beat PSU in the final week of the season, I'm not sure how they could be a "lock" and we wouldn't. 5. Rest is important in weekend tournaments. Bye teams have a huge advantage. It's fun that this all matters.

I'm in this camp based on the PSU-Purdue result. PSU would be pretty deflated coming off of two losses to ranked opponents and tourney hopes all but doused. Having said that, I think PSU beats Michigan for their 20th win and sets the table for a Sunday with two hair-on-fire teams playing for a potential bid. Pretty epic scenario.

Kenpom today: We're #56 Michigan #23 Penn St. #25 Completely insane how different Kenpom, RPI, and Sagarin are for Penn St. Michigan is going to have a hell of a time winning that game. I think if we get two wins (Indiana #72, Penn St #25) and stay in the 50s in all three metrics with a buy in the B1G, we're in regardless of the B1G tourney.

With exception to the horrifyingly obvious, yes. Thank you for the clarification!

Meh. We got our Quad 1 win today with Michigan. We didn't get a road win against a pesky B1G team--that's hard to do. Looks like our fanbase has become awfully spoiled as late. Two more home wins and we're in the NCAA tournament regardless, IMO. Cheer on Penn State and Michigan the rest of the way.

I lol'd when I heard that line last night. ha.

I think we cheer on Michigan and Penn St. the rest of the regular season. It'll be interesting to see how PSU performs over the next three games. After Illinois, they have OSU at home and Purdue on the road. I think PSU at full health is better than Michigan. I think Michigan is the 6th best team in the conference. The insistence that they belong in the tournament with a 20pt loss to us is annoying.

Good team win. Should get some more top 25 votes with 5 straight and 10-4 in conference.

Jordy + Duby = 10pts, 6rbs, 4blks... there's your x-factor.

Jordy is playing super physical again. Great to see.

Roby/Glynn on the bench = Rutgers' run.. otherwise pretty solid first half with a 9pt lead. Rutgers is gameplanning to stop Palmer.

Great minutes from Duby.. that's exactly what we needed. Looks like Glynn is ok.

Yeah CU got jobbed. lol.

Yes, and, again, the Baylor 6-seed was a total anomaly.

Miles and staff have done a fantastic job this season. This was the year TM had to prove he could step up his in-game coaching with rotation and defensive philosophy, and he's done that. The switch to closing out on 3pt shooting done wonders not only for preventing the three, but increasing our shotblocking and opportunity for steals. Offensively, I think the motion offense just needs the athletes/shooters. It works when you have people who can score (like most offenses). Recruiting-wise, the staff hasn't dropped off either. Xavier is going to be a monster here, and I think Heiman will eventually fit right in with his skillset. It'll be interesting to see if we make any noise on the senior transfer front... who wouldn't want to play with these guys?

Agree. Purdue was sort of the awakening for Roby as the completion of the death squad. We didn't win, but our best 5 were sending a message to their best 5 til the end of the game. Also agree on MSU--I think we have as good of a top 5 as anyone in the league except them. I'd much rather play Purdue in the tournament. I'd probably pick playing OSU over both of them though.

Our road performances against Purdue and OSU told me all I need to know about our team--we can beat anyone on a neutral court. Those were close games when we brought our B-level team. The draw of Baylor in 13-14 was brutal. They were infinitely more talented than a 6-seed, and it showed when they beat the piss out of CU by 30.