Cats look to rebound from ugly loss to Illinois against surging Spartans

[mshelton33]

WildcatReport - Cats look to rebound from ugly loss to Illinois against surging Spartans

The Michigan State team Northwestern faces on Sunday is on a roll after a shaky start.

northwestern.rivals.com

After a big loss to Illinois, @lou v has your preview for Michigan State tomorrow night.

 

[mickbula]

Sadly, this game might get ugly like illinii slaughter?? Hope we win but not so confident. Now would be a great time for Boo to secure his elite player in ncaa bb status/leadership and take over like he has. Without it, we are in bad shape....

 

[jne381]

Buie has had some great games against the Spartans in the past. Hopefully he can continue that tradition, but MSU is starting to look like they are getting things together after the rocky start.

 

[ballerog711]

Role players play better at home. Hopefully, get something from Brooks, Nick and Ryan.

 

[GatoLouco]

Most outsiders would look at our first 3 games schedule and predict a 1-2 as the most likely start. Maybe 0-3 being the 2nd most likely start. It was/is, playing the #1 team in the country, playing the hottest not called Purdue B1G team in the road and end up at home against a now hot, pre-season final four darling for the talking heads.

So let’s win this and 2-1 will be a great, great start for the season. It will also make the alarming tone of the game thread for the IL game look silly.

If we lose, we will be par for the course IMO. In need of some decent amount of encouragement and confidence building, but still on solid ground for a decent season.

 

[freewillie07]

Most outsiders would look at our first 3 games schedule and predict a 1-2 as the most likely start. Maybe 0-3 being the 2nd most likely start. It was/is, playing the #1 team in the country, playing the hottest not called Purdue B1G team in the road and end up at home against a now hot, pre-season final four darling for the talking heads.

So let’s win this and 2-1 will be a great, great start for the season. It will also make the alarming tone of the game thread for the IL game look silly.

If we lose, we will be par for the course IMO. In need of some decent amount of encouragement and confidence building, but still on solid ground for a decent season.

Agree with this but I think the ugly loss to Chicago State has put people more on edge. Would feel different not to have that stain already on the resume.

 

[GatoLouco]

Agree with this but I think the ugly loss to Chicago State has put people more on edge. Would feel different not to have that stain already on the resume.

We obviously struggle a lot against more athletic backcourts. Part of what explains we competed with Purdue, one back court that is actually not athletic.

But that’s also where coaching matters in finding ways to soften the blow. Pre game or in game. Even small actions matter like the fact someone should have gotten a bit rough with Domask.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Looks like Izzo's rotation is 8 to 9 players depending on availability.

Tyson Walker to go up against Buie. Pretty even matchup physically. (31 minutes, 20ppg)
AJ Hoggard, who is 6'4" 210 lbs, so more solid than our guys... (25 minutes)
Malik Hall is 6'8" 220. (24 minutes)
Mady Sissoko is their starting center 6'9" 250. (18 minutes - 6.7 rebounds)
Jaden Akins is 6'4" 190. (26 minutes)
Tre Holloman is 6'2" 180. (19 minutes)
Coen Carr is 6'5" 220 lbs, listed as a forward (18 minutes)
Carson Cooper (6'11" 240) is Sissoko's backup. (17 minutes)
Xavier Booker is a 6'11" 220 lbs freshman forward who plays limited minutes alongside the centers on occasion.

So it seems like Hall will be going against Martinelli. Hoggard or Carr against Barnhizer?