You kind of prove the point that Izzo can still develop with your mentions of McQuaid and Goins. Both went from background pieces to key players.
Bottom line, I just want Michigan to beat MSU and I don’t care if they’re fantastic or average or terrible. No one in EL is giving back wins over awful RR and Hoke teams and I wouldn’t feel any different about beating a team led by Foster Loyer at the point.
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If Poole leaves that would suck and I hope it’s not because of a lot of the negativity surrounding his plaything year that drives him out.
If iggy stays though i really like the roster. To be down on next years team would basically be doom and gloom and foreseeing little development out of some young guys. I just don’t believe that will happen.
I think Izzo is a great coach. I think he can develop talent but i don’t think it’s a homer statement to believe coach b is superior at it. I’d imagine their guys will get better too.
Look I don’t want to sound like some others on here about state. I respect them immensely. Leading up to tonight I was doing nothing but actually defending them in threads saying you have to give them their props this year.
I just would rather see both teams match up with their top guys again so z has a chance to flip the narrative back. If it’s beating up on loyer that’s fine but it would feel sweeter if it’s with Winston to me. If he beats Michigan three times again you tip your cap and give it up to him.
I’m just not worried about it and that’s a testament to what Coach b has built.
Tom Izzo is now telling the Big Ten Network reporters: “were gonna get one of these championships, guys, while you guys are still here and while I’m still here”
Well, Michigan’s been to two finals in the last six years and he hasn’t been to any. And I am personally quite happy he’s not headed this year.
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What’s MSU’s rotation gonna look like next season? I think Tillman will be back and Winston heads to the pros. Henry, Ahrens, and Langford are the key lock-in returnees. Is Watts a starting PG from day one? Does Ward and Tillman work together as a starting front court? What about Bingham and Hall?
You’re a homer
Ward nearly went pro last year. Should he come back? His stock probably is what it is at this point. He’s not going to beat out Tillman.
Yeah, I’d advise he leave now. He’s not going to improve his draft stock playing 15 minutes a game as Tillman’s backup.
This tourney has been really odd. Texas tech is such a weird team. Every time I watch them and they win these big games it feels like a fluke to me. Then they do it again. They just play such incredible d and they combine it with clutch shots and poise in big moments but every game I’m like how’d they do that? It can’t happen again right?
It’s like watching Mayweather fight almost. It doesn’t really look like their doing that much but you look at the score card and he’s up five rounds. They just don’t beat themselves and combine it with clutch shooting and d. Like early era patriots too. Very weird.
Interesting that after all the talk about the games conforming so closely to seedings we had a Final Four with–what–a 1, 2, 3, and 5?
Also interesting to think about: Michigan makes 7 more points and it has MSU’s score last night. I thought we had quite a few more open looks than State did.
Interesting…that’s not what I see at all. I see a perfectly constructed team with one elite guy that can create offense, a bunch of shooters, and a couple of interchangeable springy bigs that lock down on the defensive end. Plus a ton of experience across the board.
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So Michigan went 0-4 against Final Four teams and 30-3 against everyone else. We were very good, just not quite national title-caliber. Elite Eight probably would have been the most appropriate outcome for this season but we had the tough luck to draw TT in the Sweet 16.
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This is pretty much how I see things shaping up for Michigan: If Poole and Iggy come back we are a top 5 team. If only one or the other comes back and we don’t replace the other in the form of Quinones, Wagner, or grad transfer then we are not a top 5 team but could be fringe top 10 and clearly top 25. If one or the other leaves and we do replace the other with one of the previous options we could still be a top 5 team but that would depend on the production of the incoming replacement player. More realistically we would be somewhere between a top 15 and top 8 team in the country. If both leave and we get at least one replacement, which I expect we would at the minimum, we will be a top 25 team but nothing special by any means.
For MSU: If both Tillman, Winston, and to a lesser extent Ward come back they are a CLEAR top 5 team in the country and could have a very good argument for being preseason number 1. If just Tillman leaves and Winston stays I think they are a top 10 team but Tillman became so valuable and I think losing him would be a significant blow. Possibly more impactful than if Michigan lost one of Poole or Iggy. If Tillman comes back and Winston leaves I think this team would be a clear top 15 team with the chance of getting into that top 5 range because I do believe Watts has big upside and seems to be very mature for a high school senior. If both leave I am sure they will find a way to be a top 25 team but you do start questioning if they have the pieces to win another big ten title. I don’t really see Ward as a huge factor in these projections but If Tillman leaves it would be important for them to get Ward back at least.
All in all, if everyone comes back for Michigan and everyone comes back for MSU I think we are looking at two top 5 teams, each better than they were the year before.
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Michigan State would probably be my Preseason #1 if everyone returns or everyone except Ward.
Mich had a great year overall but fell short. We’ve been spoiled now by where the program is compared to before JB. If there is one thing we can count on is that JB will figure out how to strengthen or counter any weaknesses. I don’t think we are that far from State if both Poole and Iggy return and X stays the same. Its more about how you counter what the teams do to Mich’s pick and roll offense. State received the same treatment that Mich did against Texas Tech’s switching defense. State hit some shots Mich hit non and has to learn how to take advantage of miss matches (Teske) and others.
State will be good but that does not scare me. Besides toughness Tech showed how to wear down Winston and that was on switches get his man the ball. They exploited him on the regular. Mich needs to do the same and I believe X can take advantage also. The teams three point shooting will be better. I know people are disappointed with Johns but I feel he will be better especially at the 4. Any freshman contributions will be a plus.
On defense we will miss Mathews but expect to continue to have a top defensive team. Stick to the principles and get the other sophomores ready to go. Just some random thoughts
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If I’m an MSU fan, I’m praying Ward leaves so Izzo can’t even think about putting him in games against good teams.
They honestly are a better overall team without him on the floor. So much more versatile defensively.
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McQuaid and Goins will be huge losses. Seems to me Izzo more than most others relies on senior role players on his best teams. They’ll be really good next year if Winston comes back IMO, but not as good as this year.