If you're looking for my blog, Beau Knows.... has officially moved to The State News' official website!
Check out statenews.com (the official student newspaper of Michigan State University) and look under "Blogs"-my blog will appear under the same title, and featuring content exclusively related to professional sports, all as a result of my employment with The State News!
--Beau
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
MSU narrowly escapes Northwestern
It took everything the Spartans had to win tonight, and then some. In a surprisingly competitive and close game, MSU prevailed by the skin of their teeth thanks to an inspired effort from Draymond Green, (and a solid performance from Kalin Lucas), in a 65-62 win over the host Wildcats.
This game went back-and-forth as Northwestern kept pace behind ten three-pointers and double-digit scoring efforts from three starters, including an injured John Shurna. The gangly forward played 39 minutes on a bum leg, and while he shot 1-of-11 from the field (including a 1-for-5 effort from beyond the arc), he made eight of the team-high 11 free throws he shot, while at the same time finishing with three assists. More than Shurna though, guard Drew Crawford provided a spark for an undermanned Wildcat squad, as he led the team with 17 points.
For Michigan State though, the biggest key was Draymond Green. The undersized forward not only led the Spartans in scoring, but looked like a go-to offensive threat in the process. Although he had a late offensive foul and several ill-advised passes throughout the game, the good outweighed the bad for the junior forward tonight. While that hasn't always been the case for the Saginaw native, that's great news for a State team that needs fewer mistakes from him as the Big Ten season continues.
However, Green's late, lead-extending putback after a missed Kalin Lucas free throw shouldn't have been necessary. The Wildcats didn't do one specific thing extraordinarily well (they were outrebounded by the Spartans, shot 31% from the field, and had fewer assists and blocks than MSU), but still stayed within ten in the second half, and actually had a shot to win late. Looking at the line-up they put on the floor (which featured three starters who played over 35 minutes), the tough Spartans should've put this one away much sooner.
But, the Wildcats are clearly much better than they've been in the past, and it appears that what was once a sure win has definitely become more difficult. On that note, MSU has to be glad to leave with a conference victory. They also know what kind of a game they're in store for when they meet the Wildcats later this Big Ten season-at that point, John Shurna could be healthy and on-target from long-range.
If that happens, the Spartans could be in trouble. They should consider themselves lucky they avoided that tonight.
--Beau
This game went back-and-forth as Northwestern kept pace behind ten three-pointers and double-digit scoring efforts from three starters, including an injured John Shurna. The gangly forward played 39 minutes on a bum leg, and while he shot 1-of-11 from the field (including a 1-for-5 effort from beyond the arc), he made eight of the team-high 11 free throws he shot, while at the same time finishing with three assists. More than Shurna though, guard Drew Crawford provided a spark for an undermanned Wildcat squad, as he led the team with 17 points.
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| Draymond Green dunks during a Spartan away game earlier this year. Green had 15 points to lead MSU to a 65-62 win over Northwestern tonight. Photo courtesy of google.com |
For Michigan State though, the biggest key was Draymond Green. The undersized forward not only led the Spartans in scoring, but looked like a go-to offensive threat in the process. Although he had a late offensive foul and several ill-advised passes throughout the game, the good outweighed the bad for the junior forward tonight. While that hasn't always been the case for the Saginaw native, that's great news for a State team that needs fewer mistakes from him as the Big Ten season continues.
However, Green's late, lead-extending putback after a missed Kalin Lucas free throw shouldn't have been necessary. The Wildcats didn't do one specific thing extraordinarily well (they were outrebounded by the Spartans, shot 31% from the field, and had fewer assists and blocks than MSU), but still stayed within ten in the second half, and actually had a shot to win late. Looking at the line-up they put on the floor (which featured three starters who played over 35 minutes), the tough Spartans should've put this one away much sooner.
But, the Wildcats are clearly much better than they've been in the past, and it appears that what was once a sure win has definitely become more difficult. On that note, MSU has to be glad to leave with a conference victory. They also know what kind of a game they're in store for when they meet the Wildcats later this Big Ten season-at that point, John Shurna could be healthy and on-target from long-range.
If that happens, the Spartans could be in trouble. They should consider themselves lucky they avoided that tonight.
--Beau
Spartans-Wildcats Preview
For the third time in as many years, the Spartans open up their conference season playing at Northwestern, in the first three days of January. But, this is no ordinary road trip, and no ordinary Northwestern team. In a conference race as tight as this one promises to be, each game is extraordinarily important-a loss at this juncture could cripple the Spartans' title chances down the road.
The Wildcats are 9-2, and before double-digit losses to St. John's and Purdue, had won nine straight games to start the season. Their tricky 1-3-1 zone has given MSU some problems in the past, and to go along with that, Northwestern has an array of shooters. Michael Thompson, Drew Crawford, and John Shurna all average over 14 points a game, and the 5'10" Thompson put in 18 against the Boilermakers. On top of that, Thompson averages a prodigious 35.5 minutes a game, and has 29 assists on the year.
The guard has weapons to dish to as well-the 6'8" Shurna shoots above 60% from beyond the 3-point arc, and that could create some serious defensive problems for Delvon Roe and the rest of the Spartans' frontcourt-so far this season, they haven't seen a player with Shurna's combination of size and range.
On offense, MSU would do well to take a page from Purdue's playbook-the Boilers drilled nine threes against Bill Carmody's soft 1-3-1 zone defense, and if they shoot as well as they did in the second half of Friday's game (16-of-26), Tom Izzo's crew should be able to shred the Wildcats. On top of an advantage in athleticism, Michigan State should also have the support of numerous Spartan fans in Welsh-Ryan Arena, and the confidence that comes with six straight wins at that venue. If State is really the team that talked of a national title at the Izzone campout in October, they'll utilize every possible advantage they possess, and return to East Lansing with a solid Big Ten win. My prediction: MSU, 65-50.
--Beau
The Wildcats are 9-2, and before double-digit losses to St. John's and Purdue, had won nine straight games to start the season. Their tricky 1-3-1 zone has given MSU some problems in the past, and to go along with that, Northwestern has an array of shooters. Michael Thompson, Drew Crawford, and John Shurna all average over 14 points a game, and the 5'10" Thompson put in 18 against the Boilermakers. On top of that, Thompson averages a prodigious 35.5 minutes a game, and has 29 assists on the year.
The guard has weapons to dish to as well-the 6'8" Shurna shoots above 60% from beyond the 3-point arc, and that could create some serious defensive problems for Delvon Roe and the rest of the Spartans' frontcourt-so far this season, they haven't seen a player with Shurna's combination of size and range.
On offense, MSU would do well to take a page from Purdue's playbook-the Boilers drilled nine threes against Bill Carmody's soft 1-3-1 zone defense, and if they shoot as well as they did in the second half of Friday's game (16-of-26), Tom Izzo's crew should be able to shred the Wildcats. On top of an advantage in athleticism, Michigan State should also have the support of numerous Spartan fans in Welsh-Ryan Arena, and the confidence that comes with six straight wins at that venue. If State is really the team that talked of a national title at the Izzone campout in October, they'll utilize every possible advantage they possess, and return to East Lansing with a solid Big Ten win. My prediction: MSU, 65-50.
--Beau
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Michigan State-Alabama Recap
Going into today's game, Spartan head coach Dantonio and the rest of his staff touted their New Year's Day match-up with Alabama as a measuring stick for the program's success, as well as a tremendous opportunity to see just exactly where they fall. After the game, it's clear that the Spartans are far below the level of Alabama, in terms of talent and also performance.
On defense, the Crimson Tide swarmed the football play after play, bottling up Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker for a total of 27 yards, and knocking starting QB Kirk Cousins out of the game with a vicious hit. They also held MSU scoreless for nearly four full quarters, forced a goal-line fumble, and busted through State's O-line for four game-changing sacks. On the offensive side of the football, 'Bama pounded the Spartans 44 times for 275 yards rushing as a team, including six scores on the ground, and threw for 220 yards. Those stats, combined with their speed and talent all across the board, made a huge difference in this game, and ultimately decided the Spartans' fate.
Even more disturbing was the lack of toughness and drive that State played with. All throughout this season, MSU battled back time and again, winning games with and without their head coach, on fake field goals and rushing touchdowns. Yet, neither that classic Spartan toughness nor drive rose to the forefront today. This led to stalled drive after stalled drive, and merciless maulings by the Alabam offense. In fact, the way in which this game was won directly reflects the way the Spartans played in so many of their games.
Nick Saban's crew ran the football with abandon, mixed in the pass well, and put points on the board early and often. But, even after giving up two quick scores, the Spartans were still in the game, and after driving inside the 10 in the second quarter, MSU was in position to score. But, as was the case for much of the game, State blew their chance, quite literally fumbling their opportunity away. After that, they never established any kind of offensive rhythm until the game was out of reach.
Given the chance to seize greatness, thrust themselves into the national conversation for next season, and cap off a tremendous season with a huge win, Michigan State put forth their worst effort this season. Not only do the Crimson Tide have more talent across the board, they also executed their gameplan to perfection, and that made all the difference today. Now, the Spartans know exactly what it takes to reach the elite level that Alabama and so many others play at. Victories not only require outstanding play-they also require all the intangibles that transform good football teams into great ones: things like toughness, focus, and heart. The Spartans played with all of those traits this season. Yet, today, they played without any of those attributes, and for a squad that needed nothing less than their best effort to win, that qualifies as a disappointment. Until next year, they'll have to wait for redemption.
--Beau
On defense, the Crimson Tide swarmed the football play after play, bottling up Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker for a total of 27 yards, and knocking starting QB Kirk Cousins out of the game with a vicious hit. They also held MSU scoreless for nearly four full quarters, forced a goal-line fumble, and busted through State's O-line for four game-changing sacks. On the offensive side of the football, 'Bama pounded the Spartans 44 times for 275 yards rushing as a team, including six scores on the ground, and threw for 220 yards. Those stats, combined with their speed and talent all across the board, made a huge difference in this game, and ultimately decided the Spartans' fate.
Even more disturbing was the lack of toughness and drive that State played with. All throughout this season, MSU battled back time and again, winning games with and without their head coach, on fake field goals and rushing touchdowns. Yet, neither that classic Spartan toughness nor drive rose to the forefront today. This led to stalled drive after stalled drive, and merciless maulings by the Alabam offense. In fact, the way in which this game was won directly reflects the way the Spartans played in so many of their games.
Nick Saban's crew ran the football with abandon, mixed in the pass well, and put points on the board early and often. But, even after giving up two quick scores, the Spartans were still in the game, and after driving inside the 10 in the second quarter, MSU was in position to score. But, as was the case for much of the game, State blew their chance, quite literally fumbling their opportunity away. After that, they never established any kind of offensive rhythm until the game was out of reach.
Given the chance to seize greatness, thrust themselves into the national conversation for next season, and cap off a tremendous season with a huge win, Michigan State put forth their worst effort this season. Not only do the Crimson Tide have more talent across the board, they also executed their gameplan to perfection, and that made all the difference today. Now, the Spartans know exactly what it takes to reach the elite level that Alabama and so many others play at. Victories not only require outstanding play-they also require all the intangibles that transform good football teams into great ones: things like toughness, focus, and heart. The Spartans played with all of those traits this season. Yet, today, they played without any of those attributes, and for a squad that needed nothing less than their best effort to win, that qualifies as a disappointment. Until next year, they'll have to wait for redemption.
--Beau
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Previewing the Capital One Bowl....
The season's biggest challenge (and yet also the biggest reward) looms for Michigan State on Saturday. After pulling off incredible victories over Notre Dame and Wisconsin, then powering through the rest of a challenging Big Ten season, the Spartans have earned a much-deserved trip to a New Year's Day bowl game. They now find themselves closer than ever before to reaching that elusive plateau dominated by college football's top teams-a victory over Alabama, coupled with the return of their entire offensive backfield, could turn heads, and put the Spartans in the early national conversation for next year. For a coach that places huge emphasis on tangible success and recognition, that would be a huge accomplishment for a Spartan program that's struggled in their climb to the top.
A much bigger accomplishment in the present though, would be to knock off that aforementioned Alabama team, and that looks to be an extremely tough test. The 16th-ranked Crimson Tide ripped off five straight wins to start the season, and if not for losses to South Carolina and LSU, would be in the top 10 right now.
'Bama is extremely talented across the board, and has depth at key skill positions, including running back. Trent Richardson and a recovering Mark Ingram have combined for 248 carries, 1,474 yards, and 16 touchdowns this year. What's more, both backs have prototypical NFL size, and share the load well-in the three games where both Richardson and Ingram got double-digit carries, the Crimson Tide won by an average of 23 points. With Ingram having had plenty of time to recover and prepare for this bowl game, the Spartans defense should see a heavy dose of the former Michigan State recruit. The head-on collisons between those two backs and experienced Spartan LB's Greg Jones and Eric Gordon should be both hard-hitting and fun to watch, and with 755 career tackles between them, the two should fly to the ball often.
Alabama isn't simply a two-man show, though. The man under center, Greg McElroy, can definitely play ball as well-he's completed over 70% of his passes this year, and has delivered long throws of over 50 yards in five games this season. His 166.9 passer rating is also impressive, and in his second year under center he's looked a great deal more comfortable in the pocket. To boot, he's throw at least one score in 10 of Alabama's games this season-if he finds top target Julio Jones open as often as he has this season (the junior wideout has 41 more receptions than his closest teammate), Michigan State's DB's are in for a long day.
MSU has faced no greater challenge than the one that's in front of them in Orlando on New Year's Day. We've seen the Spartans' resiliency, toughness and heart all throughout the season. The reason that formula's worked though, results from not only their talent level, but their performance. How will they respond to the pressure of a huge bowl game? How will they handle a pro-Alabama crowd? How will they deal with the loss of receiver B.J. Cunningham? Those are all questions that beg asking, but on Saturday, we'll know the answers. For more on the Spartans' trip to Orlando, check out Beau Knows later this week, and if you can't get enough of MSU football, head to greenandwhite.com, an excellent MSU athletics website ran by the Lansing State Journal.
--Beau
A much bigger accomplishment in the present though, would be to knock off that aforementioned Alabama team, and that looks to be an extremely tough test. The 16th-ranked Crimson Tide ripped off five straight wins to start the season, and if not for losses to South Carolina and LSU, would be in the top 10 right now.
'Bama is extremely talented across the board, and has depth at key skill positions, including running back. Trent Richardson and a recovering Mark Ingram have combined for 248 carries, 1,474 yards, and 16 touchdowns this year. What's more, both backs have prototypical NFL size, and share the load well-in the three games where both Richardson and Ingram got double-digit carries, the Crimson Tide won by an average of 23 points. With Ingram having had plenty of time to recover and prepare for this bowl game, the Spartans defense should see a heavy dose of the former Michigan State recruit. The head-on collisons between those two backs and experienced Spartan LB's Greg Jones and Eric Gordon should be both hard-hitting and fun to watch, and with 755 career tackles between them, the two should fly to the ball often.
Alabama isn't simply a two-man show, though. The man under center, Greg McElroy, can definitely play ball as well-he's completed over 70% of his passes this year, and has delivered long throws of over 50 yards in five games this season. His 166.9 passer rating is also impressive, and in his second year under center he's looked a great deal more comfortable in the pocket. To boot, he's throw at least one score in 10 of Alabama's games this season-if he finds top target Julio Jones open as often as he has this season (the junior wideout has 41 more receptions than his closest teammate), Michigan State's DB's are in for a long day.
MSU has faced no greater challenge than the one that's in front of them in Orlando on New Year's Day. We've seen the Spartans' resiliency, toughness and heart all throughout the season. The reason that formula's worked though, results from not only their talent level, but their performance. How will they respond to the pressure of a huge bowl game? How will they handle a pro-Alabama crowd? How will they deal with the loss of receiver B.J. Cunningham? Those are all questions that beg asking, but on Saturday, we'll know the answers. For more on the Spartans' trip to Orlando, check out Beau Knows later this week, and if you can't get enough of MSU football, head to greenandwhite.com, an excellent MSU athletics website ran by the Lansing State Journal.
--Beau
Monday, December 27, 2010
Falcons-Saints on MNF....possibly the best primetime game of the year?
The headline says it all. Tonight's contest between the top two teams in the NFC South has all the makings of the best Monday Night Football game of the season. Two top-notch quarterbacks, two high-flying offenses, and quite alot at stake should make this a terrific game. If the Falcons win, they clinch the NFC's top seed, and a coveted first-round bye. The Saints, on the other hand, remain solidly in the playoff picture, but need a victory to avoid a season sweep by their rival. On that note, a loss backs New Orleans up against a wall-depending on how league play shakes out, they would need to win their season finale against the competitive Bucaneers, a team that's also fighting for their playoff lives.
A key number in this game:19-1. That's Matt Ryan's record at home as a starter, and that gives him a significant advantage tonight. That also works against the Saints, who struggled on the road last week against the Ravens' vaunted rushing attack. When it comes to that department, Atlanta also has the edge, as they rush for an average of nearly 123 yards per game, eighth-best in the league. If RB Michael Turner gets at least 25 carries and a score (as he has in two of Atlanta's past three games, both wins), I predict a Falcons victory.
On the other hand, if both teams rev up their respective aerial attacks, the points will fly. In that type of a contest, I think the defending Super Bowl champs have the edge-they know how to pull out close victories, as they've shown in games against Dallas and Cincinnati this year. Any comments or thoughts on the game? Feel free to post below, and read Beau Knows later this week for a complete look at the upcoming Michigan State-Alabama Capital One Bowl.
--Beau
A key number in this game:19-1. That's Matt Ryan's record at home as a starter, and that gives him a significant advantage tonight. That also works against the Saints, who struggled on the road last week against the Ravens' vaunted rushing attack. When it comes to that department, Atlanta also has the edge, as they rush for an average of nearly 123 yards per game, eighth-best in the league. If RB Michael Turner gets at least 25 carries and a score (as he has in two of Atlanta's past three games, both wins), I predict a Falcons victory.
On the other hand, if both teams rev up their respective aerial attacks, the points will fly. In that type of a contest, I think the defending Super Bowl champs have the edge-they know how to pull out close victories, as they've shown in games against Dallas and Cincinnati this year. Any comments or thoughts on the game? Feel free to post below, and read Beau Knows later this week for a complete look at the upcoming Michigan State-Alabama Capital One Bowl.
--Beau
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Free Tattoos in Columbus....
By now, you would think college football players would have figured out more ways to stay out of trouble, instead of cause it. But, that's not the case for five Ohio State Buckeyes, who were suspended for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, awards, and in QB Terrelle Pryor's case, a "gold pants" trinket that OSU players receive for defeating Michigan. That's unfortunately not all-the Buckeyes star and five other teammates also received discounts on ink from a Columbus tattoo parlor, and will miss the aforementioned games as a result (a sixth teammate will miss only the season's first game, for the same infraction). QB Terrelle Pryor posted as recently as this week on his Twitter account that he paid for his tattoos, but this investigation reveals differently.
In terms of the selling of the merchandise (which included Big Ten championship rings, football cleats, and jerseys), it's difficult to say whether all of that money went directly to their families (as OSU officials have claimed), and how discounted tattoos factor into the equation certainly doesn't have to do with that. These players didn't receive free or reduced-cost tattoos because their family had fallen on rough times-they got this service as a result of their stature as big-time college athletes. I'm sure similar things happen at campuses across the country, and yet the lid got blown off of this particular scandal.
In terms of the suspension, it's beyond me as to why the NCAA chose to suspend the players starting next season instead of this bowl game. Although the official ruling says that players may play in a bowl game if they were "not aware they were commiting the violations," surely they knew that receiving tattoos in the manner that they did was against athletic regulations? The players knew full well what they were getting themselves into when they chose to accept those benefits, and while the same thing may not apply to the selling of their memorabilia, those factors should have been taken into account when doling out the punishments.
The NCAA, while doing the right thing in digging into these allegations, got the suspension wrong. Suspend the players for the bowl game for the improper benefits they received, and hand out later suspensions if necessary to deal with the other infractions. Missing games against Akron and Toledo isn't the same as missing the Sugar Bowl, and while their team needs them in contests next year against Miami (FL) and MSU, the NCAA needs even more desperately to send a stronger message than what they have. Maybe next time, they'll get it right. Then again, let's hope their isn't any next time.
--Beau
In terms of the selling of the merchandise (which included Big Ten championship rings, football cleats, and jerseys), it's difficult to say whether all of that money went directly to their families (as OSU officials have claimed), and how discounted tattoos factor into the equation certainly doesn't have to do with that. These players didn't receive free or reduced-cost tattoos because their family had fallen on rough times-they got this service as a result of their stature as big-time college athletes. I'm sure similar things happen at campuses across the country, and yet the lid got blown off of this particular scandal.
In terms of the suspension, it's beyond me as to why the NCAA chose to suspend the players starting next season instead of this bowl game. Although the official ruling says that players may play in a bowl game if they were "not aware they were commiting the violations," surely they knew that receiving tattoos in the manner that they did was against athletic regulations? The players knew full well what they were getting themselves into when they chose to accept those benefits, and while the same thing may not apply to the selling of their memorabilia, those factors should have been taken into account when doling out the punishments.
The NCAA, while doing the right thing in digging into these allegations, got the suspension wrong. Suspend the players for the bowl game for the improper benefits they received, and hand out later suspensions if necessary to deal with the other infractions. Missing games against Akron and Toledo isn't the same as missing the Sugar Bowl, and while their team needs them in contests next year against Miami (FL) and MSU, the NCAA needs even more desperately to send a stronger message than what they have. Maybe next time, they'll get it right. Then again, let's hope their isn't any next time.
--Beau
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