Game thread for Northwestern vs. Michigan State

[lou v]

I got to Welsh-Ryan a little early today and am going through the game notes. NU won the last game in the series against MSU, last season. But check out these depressing numbers over the years:

The Spartans have won 12 of the last 13 games in the series ... The Wildcats snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 79-65 win last year at home ... The Spartans have won 28 of the last 31, 35 of the last 39 and 55 of the last 60 contests ... Tom Izzo is 38-5 in his career against Northwestern.

Of course, none of that matters today. When I look at the MSU roster, I see three freshman guards that NU missed on: Max Christie, of course, as well as Pierre Brooks and Jaden Akins. It would have been nice for NU to get ONE of those guys. I thought they had the best shot at Akins.

 

[NUThump]

This would be a nice one to take. Any crowd?

 

[DaCat]

Let's win this. Nance has to be the leader, it's his time to shine.

 

[FloridAlum]

Roper apparently in street clothes

 

[lou v]

This would be a nice one to take. Any crowd?

Pretty weak turnout. I was expecting a little more. The student sections are going to be mostly empty, as expected, because they're not back in school yet. Just before tip it looks to be about half full. But it looks like the crowd is still arriving.

 

[NREPP Fraud]

Let's win this. Nance has to be the leader, it's his time to shine.

We will win 🏆

 

[lou v]

Roper apparently in street clothes

He is. He's out today. Haven't heard a reason yet.

 

[NREPP Fraud]

Good defense! Go inside

 

[NUCat320]

This would be a nice one to take. Any crowd?

MSU radio guy just said “I have never seen a more sparse crowd for a Big Ten game.” (Obv, his call is way worse than Eanet’s.)

 

[FloridAlum]

Pretty weak turnout. I was expecting a little more. The student sections are going to be mostly empty, as expected, because they're not back in school yet. Just before tip it looks to be about half full. But it looks like the crowd is still arriving.

I believe I saw something on the Northwestern official site that said that most of the lower deck was sold out

 

[GatoLouco]

I like an Audige under control.

Dodged a couple of bullets on MSU offensive rebounds that led to open but missed shots.

 

[lunker35]

This would be a nice one to take. Any crowd?

Not a bad crowd. Wilson club has maybe 50 though. It’s pathetic.

 

[NUCat320]

I believe I saw something on the Northwestern official site that said that most of the lower deck was sold out

No students and no band due to mandatory return-to-campus quarantine.

 

[GatoLouco]

Unexplainable lineup of Greer/Berry/Simmons/Williams/Young gets quickly outscored 4-0. Buie comes in.

 

[lunker35]

Roper is not dressed today.

 

[SDakaGordie]

Unexplainable lineup of Greer/Berry/Simmons/Williams/Young gets quickly outscored 4-0. Buie comes in.

Mainly because Young was horrendous. He now has appeared to settle in, as has Greer.

 

[lunker35]

MSU radio guy just said “I have never seen a more sparse crowd for a Big Ten game.” (Obv, his call is way worse than Eanet’s.)

That’s not true. It’s pretty decent outside of the Wilson Club which is a pathetic eyesore.

 

[freewillie07]

Roper is not dressed today.

Since he’s there, safe to assume it’s not Covid protocol, right?

 

[GatoLouco]

I don’t think we loud enough Audige’s defense

 

[NUCat320]

Since he’s there, safe to assume it’s not Covid protocol, right?

Eanet said “illness”. I assume he would have elaborated if Covid-related.

 

[GatoLouco]

Mainly because Young was horrendous. He now has appeared to settle in, as has Greer.

It’s the lineup of praying Young will bail out the offense. It’s not a good setup. The quick 2 fouls on Beran will lead to some Young/Nance time.

 

[EagerFan]

It took us over 30 minutes to get into the parking lot. I expected the place to be packed. I’m surrounded by MSU fans per usual, but it’s fairly empty, especially considering the opponent.

 

[lunker35]

Since he’s there, safe to assume it’s not Covid protocol, right?

Can’t be if he’s here right? No boot or anything so that’s promising.

 

[DaCat]

Cats hanging onto the lead.

 

[TheC]

MSU radio guy just said “I have never seen a more sparse crowd for a Big Ten game.” (Obv, his call is way worse than Eanet’s.)

NU fans are smart. You’d have to be crazy to go to an indoor event these days. Half a million new cases a day.

 

[freewillie07]

Eanet said “illness”. I assume he would have elaborated if Covid-related.

I swear to God, if it’s mono…

 

[GatoLouco]

For those who believe we have a talent deficit vs the B1G, we got zero points from Nance and Audige combined. 2 from Buie. And yet we are up by 3.

 

[freewillie07]

Cats hanging onto the lead.

Maybe it’s the purple-tinted glasses, but I’m encouraged. Worth noting that MSU has played two games (12/21 and 12/29) since NU last played theirs on 12/20. Would expect the Cats to be a bit rusty.

 

[its_the_sauce]

NU fans are smart. You’d have to be crazy to go to an indoor event these days. Half a million new cases a day.

There's other forms of crazy. I decided to forego W-R in favor of Soldier Field lol.

22-3 at half.

 

[freewillie07]

Pete!!

Let’s go. Keep pressing the advantage.

 

[NUThump]

Young needs to give up the black hole approach.

 

[lunker35]

Ty Berry!!!!

 

[TheC]

Ty Berry!!!!

Probably a gift but we’ll take it!

 

[EagerFan]

We’ve gotten the benefit of two questionable calls. I need to post Thai for later when I’m mad about the refs.
Cats playing a little loose with the ball but doing well on the d

 

[lunker35]

Probably a gift but we’ll take it!

Makeup for the one that was clearly a charge a few minutes ago that they called him for. He’s playing outstanding defense.

 

[SDakaGordie]

For those who believe we have a talent deficit vs the B1G, we got zero points from Nance and Audige combined. 2 from Buie. And yet we are up by 3.

Making a conclusion like this off 2/3 of a half is not advisable, at least in my opinion.

 

[DaCat]

Nance going up strong

 

[GatoLouco]

Making a conclusion like this off 2/3 of a half is not advisable, at least in my opinion.

It’s not a conclusion. I’ve had the opinion we have the horses since before the season started. It’s merely an example.

 

[GatoLouco]

Nance going up strong

Young on the court has helped Nance getting matched up with Houser. Much better than trying to score on Bingham

 

[GatoLouco]

Makeup for the one that was clearly a charge a few minutes ago that they called him for. He’s playing outstanding defense.

Now Young gets called for a 200% clean block.