Spartans Come Together to Start 2010 and Big Ten Season with Impressive Win

Evanston, Illinois

 

The Spartans open 2010 with the start of the Big Ten season. On the road against a much improved Northwestern Wildcats, but in front of a very fan friendly MSU crowd.

 

The game plan didn’t seem to be too complicated, you’re a bigger and much faster team. This meant two things, get to the basket on the offensive side and get some points in the paint. On the defensive side, it was undoubtedly stop the three ball.

 

From the onset, Northwestern seemed to find their shooting stroke. Starting 4-8 from behind the arc, they held court with MSU even though their inside game was non existent. But with about seven minutes left in the half the 3-balls dried up and the Spartans started to create a gap.

 

Junior guard Kalin Lucas was able to utilize his speed and get to the hoop a few times which forced the Wildcats to alter their defense. Coach Bill Carmoody went to the 1-3-1 to try and clog the middle.

 

Guards Chris Allen and Lucas handled the pressure perfectly. Quick ball movement and the threat of hitting the outside shot, forced a breakdown in the defense, and twice to start a rally they found Durrell Summers open in the corner for quick three pointers.

 

To finish the half, the Spartans went on a run, both by their offensive and defensive adjustments for a 42-33 lead.

 

The second half started with a fury. Northwestern's poor shooting continued and they tried to establish some low post game but were unsuccessful, as Drymond Green was able to stand his ground in the paint. When Northwestern finally was able to get to the line, they missed 6 free throws in a row.

 

On the other end of the court, MSU’s passing found open guys and it was raining 3-pointers on the Wildcats. Lucas and Cory Lucious were able to take advantage of open shots off offensive rebounds.

 

While the Spartans had a definite advantage in skill, the game’s momentum and outcome seemed to hinge on coaching adjustments. It was a good ole’ fashion coaching duel in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

 

Carmoody’s Wildcats made several adjustments throughout the game. Even switching to a full court press which the Spartans have has some difficulty with. But this is a veteran team. Nothing seemed to phase them. Each adjustment was handled by Izzo’s team, as if they knew it was coming and knew how to break it down.

 

At the end, it was too much Spartans with too many easy buckets for the Wildcats to handle. MSU had several good looks from the paint and more than a half dozen lay-ups and dunks.

 

 

While Izzo and his staff will certainly find some things to pick for improvements, this has been one of the best played and coached games of the season; especially the second half.