Rock Chalk Neglect the Blog.

So i have not posted since last week.  Literally a week.  I have no idea where Pat is.  He might be dead. He might be in Cambodia.  No clue.  But that's ok, because I am here, and I am here to preview this Kansas game.

Tomorrow, MSU takes on Kansas.  The Jayhawks boast a frontcourt that features a 7 footer and a freshman power forward that is 6-8.  I have a feeling both can score more readily in the post than either Payne or Nix.  However, that does not fully matter because that is not exactly how the SPartans will score in this game.  MSU is going to need to run in this game - get the easy transition points.  Kansas is a team that will defend well both down-low and extended out to the perimeter.  Because of this, the Spartans need to limit the amount of turnovers they have in this game.  Nix had 4 turnovers in the game against UConn.   Two of the turnovers I remember; Nix got the ball on a rebound and then brought the ball down-low where a guard ripped the ball out.  Just keep that ball up high and get a shot up. Now that the halfcourt offense is ran through Appling, his ability to set the tempo will critical. Appling should be guarding Elijah Johnson.  Johnson is a senior who lead his team in three pointers made last year.  Along with that, he has a great leaping ability and a quick first step.  Keith needs to not get tired defensively so he can do his own damage on the first offensive side of the ball.  Another factor surrounding Keith and how he can lead MSU to victory is that Travis Trice will likely not be playing in this game.  Trice suffered a concussion in Germany and is doubtful against Kansas.

It is time for Valentine and Kearney to become men.

What matters most in this game is how MSU reacts to the travel time.  Coming off that prime-time game and then coming into another prime-time game can be exhausting, let alone traveling halfway around the world to do it.

So how do I see this game going?  Well it depends on how it starts.  Can MSU play a complete game, score points early?  Sure they can.  Will they?  That certainly is not something that the Spartans have done in the past.  Kansas lost two players to the NBA but returns three seniors.  They did not exactly run away with the game against SE Missouri State which leads me to believe that their offense is struggling right now.  I like MSU in this game after putting together great team defense.  70-62 MSU  (I can also see this going the other way, ugh)