Newly Nationally Ranked Michigan State Spartans Improve their Record to 9-2 With 74-60 Win Over Bowling Green

Breslin Center East Lansing, MI The Michigan State Spartans went on the road for a big game one week ago at Gonzaga. They were coming off an under whelming

Breslin Center

East Lansing, MI

The Michigan State Spartans went on the road for a big game one week ago at Gonzaga. They were coming off an under whelming showing against Central Connecticut. They went to Spokane, got that big road win and played what many believe was their best game.

With the excitement surely lowered to come in and play Bowling Green tonight, the Spartans once again came in lethargic and playing down to the level of their opponent.

The Falcons walked off the court tied at halftime and out rebounding the Spartans 25-16. A moral victory for the Falcons in a big game, on the road, against a newly minted top 25 nationally rated team.

Former college basketball great Louis Orr is the head coach of Bowling Green and he said of his team’s gutsy performance, “I commend them. Against a team like Michigan State you can’t come in here and even play five bad minutes. It don’t take long to get down and for the game to get away.”

With the paint coming off the locker room walls with a spirited halftime speech from their Coach, the Spartans came out on an 11-0 run and never looked back. Izzo said of his team’s slow start, “One problem being a veteran coach your nightmares and fears come true…We weren’t sharp and I think we got out hustled in the first half.”

He added about the game, “I think our two point guards didn’t play very well tonight…Both guys struggled and I think we showed a little character. That is what I asked for at the half.”

In this game Draymond Green crossed over the 800 mark for career rebounds as he continues to cement his legacy. I asked him in the locker room if as a senior he can think about that legacy yet? He told me, “I am not impressed with 800 rebounds at all. I am not even thinking about that being part of a legacy. Rebounding isn’t like scoring. It is all heart. My goal is 1,000 rebounds. When I get to that I will be excited, but 800 is not something to have pride in.”

Izzo said of his captain’s and 800 boards, “Quite an achievement for a guy his size. You are starting to see a completely different Draymond. To get 800 rebounds is unbelievable.” 

Draymond currently sits as the ninth all time rebounding leader in MSU history. He is five away from moving into a tie with Bill Kilgore at 814. Should Green reach his goal of 1,000 rebounds for his career he would be fourth all time in MSU history behind only Antonio Smith at 1,016, Johnny Green at 1,026 and Greg Kelser the all time leader with 1,092.

Sure the Spartans got the win, and Day Day crossed 800 boards, but the story was the play of Derrick Nix. He had a career high 14-point performance and seven boards.  Nix was obviously pleased and his face showed it. He said in the locker room after the game, “I just went out there and found new focus. Coach wants me to do more. He told me to stop passing at the post.”

I asked Nix about one particular play where he spinned and took it to the bucket. Was he channeling his inner Allen Iverson? “Something like that. I was surprised they didn’t call a travel. If they would have, I would have got another technical by slamming the ball down.”

Izzo said of Nix, “I think Nix had one of his best games,” High praise from a coach that has been very hard on him.

The praise for the big fella didn’t stop with his head coach. Nix’s teammates had great praise for their big teammate. Senior captain Austin Thornton said, “Nix was fantastic. People don’t realize the enormous effort he had to put in. He had to do all the things we did this summer working out, plus so much more to get in shape. I think one thing people need to talk about, not just the weight, is the mental focus he had to show.”

Thornton in particular is one person who always believed in Nix when at times his teammates didn’t. I asked him what he saw. “In open gym there was things he could do with his feet and guard when he wanted to. I knew he would be special if he got his head on straight.”

Senior transfer Brandon Wood added about Nix, “He is in the best playing shape of his life. He is looking for his shot more. He’s good at it (shooting) and needs to look for it more. We need him to score.”

Finally I turned to a comment Branden Dawson made that really puts into perspective how far Nix has come. When I asked the freshman to put Nix’s play in perspective for us he told me, “Nix played outstanding tonight. He is such a great leader on this team. I don’t need to lose weight, but I need to work hard on the areas of my game like he did to lose weight. Derrick Nix has a lot more tricks up his sleeve.”

The amazing thing is that this year’s freshman, and freshman stars at that, are calling Nix out as a leader. I went to Draymond Green and we had a good laugh about how far he has come. Not because we think Dawson was wrong. I asked Day Day, “If I had told you last year at this time that one year forward the freshman would look at Nix as a great leader would you have believed it?” His answer was, “I would have told you that you were crazy, but it’s true.” Day Day is correct.

It was another good game by Branden Dawson who is showing more of what was expected when he arrived. He had 13 points and four rebounds. He said of the way he played, “I felt real good. Coach told me to go out and have fun. On the defensive end of the court I had energy and I was the old Branden.” That is scary news for the Big Ten as conference play is looming.

Brandon Wood led MSU with sixteen points. He also had three assists. It is nice to see this impressive young man grow comfortable on this team. He is playing like he is comfortable finally.

Once again Keith Appling struggled. He looked lost at times and only had three points and two rebounds.

The Spartans had 16 assists on 25 field goals to go along with a final rebounding advantage of 39-37.

The Spartans next tip off on Monday night against UMKC at 8:30 PM here at the Breslin. They finish non conference play on Thursday against Lehigh at the Breslin at 9 PM before they open Big Ten play at home against Indiana 11 days from now on December 28, 2011 at 7:30 PM.

That game with Indiana could be the most important December game the Spartans have played in years. Look for the Spartans to be 11-2. Indiana should be 12-0 and ranked in the top 15 if not 10 depending on who losses ahead of them.