MSU Red Cedar Message Board

you think OSU basketball is dirty? i don't think so

Hoops wise, I think the Big Ten is as clean as it's ever been probably. Lots of talent right now within the Big Ten footprint.

They've been on probation as recently as a few years ago for cheating in basketball - then some of the top talent in the country magically and continually flows into a school that cares about football first, second, and third.

They may not be cheating. But it does raise a hell of a lot of eyebrows.

Ditto for scUM. Honestly, how Beilein has been able to attract that level talent to a program that's been in the gutter for nearly two decades is a true mystery. Especially when one considers the history of that program and what's traditionally been at play when they get top talent.

They were on probation for inappropriate benefits a player received in the 90's. scUM was also on probation recently; Do you think they are dirty, too?

He got in early with a few of those guys when they were not ranked as high. He had a lot of PT to offer, and he runs a fun, layed-back system.

The B1G hasn't won a national championship is quite some time, let alone have a streak like the SEC does. The B1G is good this year in hoops, but it isn't close to as dominate as the SEC is in pigskin.

This is the best the B1G has been top to bottom since the early 90's. Come January, I will have the Big Ten Network on pretty much every night. It's going to be high quality basketball this season. The conference championship is going to be a dogfight.

Burke - 3* that was headed to PSU and flipped to UM. No really good offers prior.
Morris - 4* that Beilein recruited from the get-go
McGary - Beilein was recruiting him before his prep year, while he was at Chesterton, and before he blew up in the rankings
Robinson - 3* that Beilein recruited early, before he blew up and became a 4*/5*
Hardaway - 3* back-up plan that was offered after we whiffed on Casey Prather, a 4* doing "meh" at Florida

Theme is basically that Beilein (or someone on his staff) is good at identifying talent before others. Not sure who should get the credit, but look for LaVall Jordan to get some head coach looks after what he's done with Morris and Burke and, likely, Derrick Walton in the future.

Difference is, if the Big Ten wins the title, they'll have done it by going through the best and earning it.

Unlike the SEC, which had the luxury of dodging many of Pete Carroll's USC teams that would have handed them their ass. Most notably 2007 LSU and 2008 Florida. The "dominance" is a BCS-created mirage.

Except SEC Football wins National Titles..

I know most probably won't want to hear my input, but this post is correct. None of Michigan's players were highly recruited, save McGary. Burke, Hardaway, Stauskus, and Glenn Robinson were all 3* at some point. Do I think Beilein is dirty? No, he's built up a program that was in the toilet with guys like Stu Douglass and Zack Novak - hardworking, but not uber talented players. He won with them and winning attracts recruits. As someone else mentioned, it's a "fun" offensive system to watch as well. When recruits see a bunch of threes going up, they take notice. I have the utmost respect for Izzo and MSU's program. I admittedly grew up an MSU basketball fan given Michigan's mediocrity. Here's to building up the rivalry in both basketball and football, because I believe both schools' programs are on the uprise.

Bandwagon Michigan fans are bandwagon? When did that happen??