The MSU vs. UM Game Had Many Interesting Angles

Yesterday, the Michigan State basketball team reaffirmed that they are dominant basketball program in the state of Michigan. They beat Michigan in pretty much every aspect of the game. Michigan stuck around in the game for a little bit because they do have some talented players, but MSU just had too much.

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The Spartans executed flawlessly on the offensive end. They set solid screens and had some great back door plays. Coach Tom Izzo has this team practice hard and it clearly shows come game time. Going thru the motions is not an option with this team. When the Spartans are running their offensive sets, they do everything full speed. Hard cuts are such a vital part of the offense. If a team cuts hard to the basket, even if they don’t receive the pass, if let’s the opponent know that they can’t relax at any moment. Michigan had to always be accountable for the players without the ball. If you watch this team, there are a lot a plays when one man would cut to the hoop, and another will immediately follow. Because the first player cuts to the basket with a purpose, it attracts a great deal of attention, and that allows the trailer to get a high percentage shot.

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The defense of the Spartans was even more impressive than the offense was. Specifically, I’m talking about the defense that was played Michigan freshman Manny Harris, and sophomore DeShawn Sims. Keep in mind that Sims was one of the top 35 recruits in the country coming out of high school. The Spartans made him look awful on Sunday. They forced him to take numerous low percentage shots, and didn’t allow him to get into the lane.

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Travis Walton did a tremendous job on Manny Harris. Harris, last year’s Mr. Basketball in Michigan, had Walton in his shirt all afternoon. Because of the size difference, Harris was able to rise up and get his shot off, but he definitely was not comfortable in doing so. Harris usually likes to penetrate and get all the way to the hoop, but Walton’s quickness and physicality was effective in preventing that.

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Recruits at the Game:
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6’11” 2009 Top 25 Prospect DaShonte Riley (Detroit Country Day)

2008 MSU Commit Draymond Green (Saginaw)

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Top Basketball and Football Prospect Dion Sims (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s)

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Another notable prospect at the game was highly touted 2009 Michigan football commit DT William Campbell. He sat behind MSU’s bench. Campbell is 6’4” 327lbs. He attends Cass Tech High School in Detroit.