MSU Red Cedar Message Board

This team takes it inside more than any team in recent memory. Between the guards driving and the nice dishes down low, this team is the total opposite of last year's squad that was happy shooting from the perimeter all day long. I really enjoy watching this squad—don't think I EVER felt that way last year.

Agree. And Appling is MUCH quicker than Taylor. Appling also has a better handle.

Realistic.

I'm trying not to get too caught up in standings.

The way this team shares the ball, checks and genuinely seems to play "together" would be a joy any year, but all the more so after last season's biweekly rectal exams/ball games.

It's been a while but they feel a bit like the '97-98 team in terms early on thinking, there's no way they compete for the league, then as games go on, it grows into, well maybe.......

They won't win all 3 of those games. If they lost all 3 and nothing else they win the title. That said, this team is fun to watch and improving weekly bu has much to prove.

It is real Tanner and this team is very good. Winning on the road in the Big Ten is very, very difficult. Ask Ohio State. Don't downplay the win in the Kohl Center either. I know the Badgers are down but winning there is still a tough task.

Keith is infinitely more athletic than Marcus, but in terms of a combo guard making the transition to the PG slot I can see it.

I like the mental toughness this team has shown, they been in some tough games on the road and have stuck together when things didn't go their way. You just trust this team to be able to tough out wins when they have to. If you can tough out wins where things are going against you and maybe you aren't playing your best, you really get to enjoy a night like last night when things are clicking.

I've been tempering my expectations for this team all year, but they are starting to have the look of a special special team.

They could hardly be any more different. Lighthing quick vs Slow. Jumpshot ONLY (Albeit an elite one) game vs slasher scorer with developing J. Appling is way quicker and has better length and ability to play at different speeds and actually jump off both feet. Appling rebounds like a 6'7" 3 man, Taylor rebounded like Travis Trice. Appling could be the best defensive guard under Izzo by the time it's all said and done, Taylor couldn't check a quick PG to save his life, I remember little quick PG just eating us alive in 02' with Torbert, Hill, and Taylor all being helpless... Especially Seton Hall's PG.

Appling looks like he'd rather die than lose or lose a loose ball, Taylor was ALL EYEZ ON ME from the start.

But yeah they're both black 6'2" ish combo guards from Michigan who played at MSU so why not...

You have to expect inconsistency from true frosh, especially true frosh PGs. Trice was really good last night. One of the things I've been unimpressed with with Izzo is that he didn't get Trice into the game more with Appling and later in game where they are functionally decided. Like there was no reason to leave Appling in so late in Neb or IU games (I know we're talking about a minute here or a minute there but Trice needs to learn about winning time too).

I don't think he's been any less up and down than Dawson who was about 5x the recruit and is way more of a specimen. I think Trice can be really good, kind of more cerebral but poor mans Taylor Battle.

I just don't see who else (besides MSU) should be considered the favorite for the Big Ten title.

OSU is looking more than vulnerable right now.

That is a tall order. There are only 2 top 25 teams with road wins vs. current top 25 teams. Georgetown has 2 wins, MSU has 1. That being said, I do not see us winning at Indiana or OSU, but I like our chances to win 2/3 at scUM, at Purdue, at Illinois.