EAST LANSING — Keith Appling hit a 3-pointer Thursday night. Michigan State’s point guard also missed six of them.
But he was perfect from everywhere else, most notably from midrange.
“I feel like one of the things where I went wrong these past couple of games is starting the games off with early 3s,” said Appling, who’d missed 14 straight 3s heading into Thursday.
“I just have to try to start off by hitting a couple midrange shots down and kind of getting a feel for the game.”
Wisconsin is a good matchup for Appling (he scored 19 in the first meeting, too), but he definitely took a different offensive approach, one he’s capable of most nights and one that seriously adds to MSU’s offensive punch.
It was important Appling found confidence Thursday, because I’m not sure anything that happens Sunday against a struggling Northwestern club is capable of giving a player or the Spartans collectively a lasting boost.
Appling Thursday looked like the player he was through January, when he won games for MSU with critical buckets while taking care of the ball.
It’s been said several times before, but he needs to be that for the Spartans.
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‘Michigan’s point guard?’
Thanks. Fixed.
In many ways Coach Izzo shows his greatness in games like last night. For it is easy to motivate a team to focus without relenting in a high stakes game against elite competition. The athlete’s normal desire to compete for a championship makes them eager to learn, eager to sacrifice self for the team. But in order to win a championship you have to be in a position for those games to matter. It is against the Wisconsin’s of the world, a team good enough to beat you with a lethargic showing that his genius shines through. On the cusp of a championship game and being 19 years old it is hard not to think about what is around the corner. But it is precisely this reason why last night was so important. They all count one, and if you don’t get these type of games than the victories over the best ring hollow. Coach Izzo is a master at having this team clear the mechanism and perform as if in practice. In a league where 75% effort will get you beat nothing but maximum focus will get you by This team has that focus. Joe Rexrode has often said we won’t appreciate Tom Izzo until he is gone. I don’t need to wait that long. I see Indiana losing to Minnesota and Michigan losing to Penn State and I appreciate him now. I know what inconsistency is all about I don’t need to have to live through it to appreciate what we have now. So in many ways I was as proud of our team last night as I will be on Sunday night. Those banners may hang from the rafters but without the string to tie them they would float to the ground. Last night we tied some string to the rafters to make the banners possible. Sunday night we start the stretch run, A dozen teams are capable of winning it all this year but none will outwork or out prepare our Coach. So let’s put the same effort and preparation into getting behind this team that Poncho puts into his game plans. After what he has done for MSU we owe him that much. Spartan nation, gas up your cars, make those hotel reservations in Chicago.
NOW IS THE TIME, NOW IS THE MOMENT
WHY NOT US ? WHY NOT NOW?
well said 81. would love a 3rd shot at the hoosiers
MSU owns Bellien aka owns Denard
If you decide you want to post on that other site, send me an email to my MSU email address.
I will forward it to the site admin and recommend you for membership. My father was a Corrections officer Probation Ottawa County for 30 years.
My MSU email address is
case_hall81@comcast.net.
thanks 81, shot you an email
With the exception that I won’t be in Chicago (alas, I live more than 2,000 miles away), I agree with everything you said 81. TI is about to take us to our 16th NCAA tournament in a row. Jud was great, and we went to the Big Dance 8 times in 19 years w/him. TI has a winning record against every team in the conference. I’m sure Jud did not have a winning record against IU, Michigan, and perhaps a few others (Purdue?).
Not a knock on Jud, solid guy, good coach, but TI got us to a truly elite level. When he got the job, we didn’t have one of the 5 best programs in the conference. Now we have one of the 5 best in the country!
Jud was Phillip of Macedon
Izzo is Alexander
JUD IS GOD..IZZO IS LORD.. i believe jud was the only big ten coach with a winning record against bobby knight..it was right around 500%.
He looked a lot more relaxed and played really fast and in control.
The all seemed to have fun last night.
Only a MAC fan would make the PG mistake, anyone else would pay attention instead of just mailing it in. Cracker the anti-Spartan strikes again. NICE
Way off base on that one Chief, nothing wrong with the MAC
I was a huge MAC fan last year after OHIO pounded the weasels from ann arrogance.
Has anyone seen Russell Byrd lately? Even on the bench? Maybe I’ve missed him, but TI used to give him a couple of minutes every game. But not in the last few, even last night with a good lead.
Was at the game, Byrd played last night, got 1 foul, didn’t shoot, but didn’t turn it over either.
Blocked from my email in the office Bellien I will get to it tomorrow and send it in to the admin.
thank you !
Mr. Cresote,
Byrd got in last night late in the game for a minute or two. Right before Izzo cleared the bench.
Jersey I loved Jud he gave he a job for beer money providing security at Jenison , but Izzo outdid him overall. And I was there in 79 just talking about the whole body of work with the six final fours.