MSU vs. UNC

Well it is basketball season again.  Things should really spice up on this blog, or get way behind.  Of course we are playing on an aircraft carrier and at madison square garden against two top ten teams.  UNC is ranked #1.  Why cant we play one of these in the Yooper Dome - get a little home crowd advantage one time?

As mentioned, UNC comes in pre ranked #1 in the country.  With good reason.  Pretty much everyone from last year has returned.  This UNC team will run the floor with anyone in the country and use their length to defend, dunk and stymie opponents.    I am not looking forward to this game. I think UNC is gonna win by an easy 15.  Should not be close at any point except before tip off.  So how can MSU win this game?

The first thing we need to do is knock down three pointers.  This was something we were basically unable to do last year.  Literally.  Now Russel Byrd is actually playing and shooting at a healthy clip (for preseason).  We will need his ability to shoot it to keep us in this game.  With that,  new comer Brandon Wood lit up UNC in years past.   He is known as a scorer from the two/one guard and though he has not shown that at all in the preseason, his scoring ability, and ability to get to the rack can keep us in this game.  Along that same line, Keith Appling needs to be what he was in high school.  A nasty nasty scorer. Keith, get to the rim please,  when they collapse on you pass the ball and let our forwards shoot 12 footers all day.  I don't care if we lose by clanking 12 footers.  I will care if we lose by clanking quick threes and wasting possessions.  Finally and this is likely the most important way to win.  Travis Trice needs to have the best game hes had so far in his life.  Trice committed to MSU just days before five star all world recruit Brandon Dawson did.  Trice is our back up point guard and will get a lot of burn in this game.  We need him to have zero turnovers.  Yikes. 

Things to watch for.  The battle between Barnes of UNC and Dawson of MSU.  Dawson will see Barnes all game (with plenty of help D).  If Dawson can play well here, grab some boards of Barnes, and get his points, that will bode well.  Also, look for Nix to  be banging down low.  Payne is getting the start, but Derrick Nix looks like an absolute beast this year and has added a lot to his post game

 

(HOLY CRAP)

Outside of that I dont have a lot else to say since I havnt seen a single preseason game.  But here are a look at the Jeresey's we will be wearing,  the back will say USA instead of the players names.  UNC's are identical but they are Carolina Blue where ours have the gray.

 (not too bad)

Like I said, I don't predict MSU to win this game based on all the skill UNC has.  However, it would be nice to see some growth and see the skill our young young team has.