After one game versus an inferior MAC opponent, the Michigan State men's basketball team is right where we expected them to be: undefeated at 1-0. In handling the Eastern Michigan Eagles 96-66 last night at the Breslin Center, this Spartan team showed several promising signs of what could be on the way. Six Spartans reached double figures, led by Kalin Lucas with 18 points. Judging by the way he moved, shot and drove last night, he looks to be almost completely recovered from last season's injuries, which is great news for MSU.
In addition to his impressive night, Michigan State got ten-plus points from five others, including freshman point guard Keith Appling, who filled in nicely for Lucas in several stretches throughout the game. Along with a solid show of team balance, the Spartans also displayed the ability to push the ball, and shot relatively impressively from deep (52.5 % from the field and 46.5% from beyond the arc).
While these statistics are notable, MSU did struggle in two areas specifically: foul shooting and turnovers. State made just 28-of-42 shots from the stripe, good for only 66.7%. In addition, they also gave the ball away 20 times, against 18 assists. The Spartans will without a doubt have to shore up these problem areas , because success in the near future and throughout the season depends on it.
Transitioning to the world of college football, and College GameDay's featured contest, Penn State got off to a strong start in building a 14-3 first-half lead over Ohio State in Columbus. After 3 significant gains to start the game for Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes, PSU forced a field goal, and responded with their first-ever passing TD in Columbus under Joe Paterno, a stat which is surprising in itself. QB Matt McGloin displayed extreme confidence in delivering another well-placed scoring strike later in the half, and to top that, the Nittany Lions held Pryor to just 12 yards on the ground, all of which contributed to their early dominance.
However, it was disheartening for both Penn State fans and myself to see the Buckeyes re-group in the second half and put together a lengthy, 11-play, 96 yard scoring drive to pull within 4 of the Nittany Lions. Shortly thereafter, McGloin delivered his first interception this season, and just like that, a pick six led to a 17-14 OSU lead. That turnover was extremely ill-timed for Penn State, as the Buckeyes reeled off 2 more scores to take a commanding 31-14 lead before delivering the final kill shot, a short rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Ohio State's resounding comeback and eventual 38-14 win re-affirmed several key points. First and foremost, the Buckeyes demonstrated a great deal of toughness in rallying to win. They also showed why they're perpetually at the top of the Big Ten: they consistently recruit extremely talented players who fit their system, among many other things. Yet, I'd still like to see a head-to-head matchup between this year's Ohio State and Michigan State teams-I'll take Coach Dantonio's Spartans against anybody, any day of the week.
While a Buckeye loss would've helped Michigan State tremendously in the conference race, the Spartans still gained valuable position thanks to to an inspired Northwestern victory over the 13th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes. In order to maintain their conference title aspirations, they'll have to keep winnning....and at least this weekend, sit back and watch others fall by the wayside.
Look back here tomorrow for a wrap-up of the day's college football action.
--Beau
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