Spartans Get a Big Win Here in Minneapolis at the Barn!

January 20, 2008 Minneapolis, MN The Barn ÂWell the Spartans got the memo about this being a must win here in Minneapolis today, if they wanted the Big Ten

January 20, 2008

Minneapolis, MN

The Barn

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Well the Spartans got the memo about this being a must win here in Minneapolis today, if they wanted the Big Ten title to still be a reasonable goal. They did just that. The Spartan were lead by Drew Neitzel who had 19 points, but that wasn’t the whole story.

Now that Spartans go forth with dreams of not only a Big Ten title, but of how far can this team go in the Big Dance. The Spartans have the talent to make a lot of noise, and even though today was a far from perfect game, they showed that they can go a long ways when they play their style of game.

The Spartans did not start well. Drew Neitzel began the game with a quick turnover. In fact, the Spartans had three turnovers in the first 2:48 of the game.  Raymar started the game 0-3 from the charity stripe and at the 11:42 mark of the first half, Durrell Summers got a traveling call while a wide open Drew Neitzel stood in the corner begging for the ball and a chance at a three. The Spartans had struggled all season getting the ball to Neitzel when he was away from it. That was a less than comforting way to start the game.

The Spartans ended the first half with a four-point lead. It was 31-27, but it was a first half in which the Spartans had 12 turnovers. It is no secret that the Spartans have to get Drew Neitzel going for this team to accomplish much, and there were five instances where Drew Neitzel stood wide open and no one could get him the ball.

On two occasions, the youth of Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers showed when they had fast breaks that ended in charging calls, but Chris Allen was explosive in the paint twice when he took missed lay ups by his teammates and converted for scores. Lucas led the way at the half with 10 and Allen had nine, but the Spartans mistakes kept them from pulling away from the Gophers. This team has to develop a killer instinct, especially on the road.

The Spartans made the necessary corrections at half time and came out and executed their plan much better. The Gophs made two huge buzzer beater scores, but with just over 11 minutes to play in the game Drew Neitzel had a three-pointer to put the Spartans up four.Â

The Spartans missed Neitzel when he was open multiple times in the first half, but it wasn’t the story in the second. The Old Drew Neitzel reemerged. He ran the court and guided like last season, his teammates were able to get him the ball, and his game management was too much for the out-matched Gophers.

Today’s win is huge for MSU, but not for the usual reasons. Sure it keeps them in the hunt for the Big Ten title, but they also got Neitzel back, who played a great game. The Spartans also showed some real toughness today, which has been lacking. They also sent notice to their critics that left them for dead, that Iowa was an exception and not the rule.

After the game, a much more enthused Izzo said, “That was the first time he (Neitzel) shot like last year in games.”

Neitzel was as excited as you can imagine and when asked about being back his smile widened and he said, “It just felt good.”

Raymar Morgan did struggle today, and went a surprising 0 for 7 at the free throw line for the start of the game. He recovered in crunch time to make his last seven. After the game I asked him about his struggles and whether or not he had ever struggled like that before. “No, not at all.”

All in all it was a great team win for the Spartans and a victory that showed great character. For not playing well in the first half and having way too many turnovers (18 for the game) it was a win and a win on the road. It was not a happy comment from Izzo when asked about his teams unacceptable 18 turnovers, “Ridiculous, and I can make it a lot stronger if you’d like,” was his answer.Â

The Spartans next game is Thursday evening at Northwestern and it appears that Izzo’s guys are peaking at a good time.

It was a game that Izzo’s staff’s presence was critical. DJ was great from the bench calling plays, Garland was very critical in calming guys down and teaching, and Mark Montgomery was huge in game planning with Izzo. Truly the Spartans left this place with a big win, with the entire team (staff and players) having come together nicely.

The only negative was when Izzo found out he would be flying when the Packers were playing, “That really ticks me off.” Nice to see that the world is back in order!