MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The problem I think a lot of us have with the current team is the expectations we had...those weren't unfounded, we HAVE seen MANY of them play better. We've seen ALL of them play with more focus and intensity (consistently) that what we've seen this year.

The 2000 team won it all because of 3 things that were never, ever in question: talent (obviously), toughness and pride. That team took it personal to defend the home court...they'd rather kick a puppy than let someone score an uncontested basket. They didn't back down from anyone, they never were intimidated by jerseys. While there were players on that team with NBA aspirations, they didn't talk about them, or look forward to them, they realized that you have to get something done in college ball first.

I can't imagine how frustrating it is for coaches to try and manage college athletes. Some will give you 100% effort every day, but they also tend to be the less talented players. It takes a rare combination of talent, motivation and chemistry to win big, and I'm sure there are at least a couple dozen coaches who felt they had the talent to win it all, but for reasons besides talent, they didn't.

This 2 game stretch should tell us a lot about this team. I'm not talking about the W/L column, I'm talking about the focus, the effort, the body language, the facial expressions, all the intangible things that seem to be in question this year.

I never said they aren't playing with pride or devotion I was only saying they should model themselves after Mateen and the Flintstones, this team is showing great improvement the last couple games

That video gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

This team isn't undefeated, so they have no pride.

Signed,

tRCMB Morans