B1G Game 17: Gophers Visit Michigan State (2-22-23)

Ignatius L Hoops

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It’s been a season like no other for Michigan State. In December starting guard and Clemson transfer, Gabby Elliot suffered a season ending ACL injury. Elliot was averaging 9.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In late January, head coach Suzy Merchant was involved in a single car crash that was the result of a “medical incident”. Merchant has yet to return to the bench. Stepping in was Associate Head Coach Dean Lockwood who is 2-4 in the interim. And the season is now overlayed by the aftermath of a mass shooting on the MSU campus.

The game versus Minnesota will be Michigan State’s second outing in Breslin Center since the shooting brought about the postponement of a game versus Purdue. In the first outing, the Spartans played a spirited contest against Maryland. The Terrapins prevailed 61-66 after MSU cut the lead to three late. The loss dropped the Spartans to 5-10 in the B1G. Dean Lockwood, in his fourth season with MSU following 15 seasons at Tennessee, has his work cut out for him-on a senior day unlike any other.

Starters:

Kamaria McDaniel:
The 5’10” Graduate center averages 13.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 25.5 minutes in B1G play. McDaniel had 1 point in 11 minutes versus Maryland-no, I don’t know why.

Matilde Ech: The 6’0” sophomore swing player averages 12.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 31.7 minutes. Ech had 11 points in 34 minutes versus Maryland.

Moira Joiner: The 5’10” senior guard averages 10.4 points 5 rebounds in 27.5 minutes. Joiner had 3 points in 26 minutes against Maryland

Dee Dee Hagermann: The 5’7” senior guard averages 9.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 32.9 minutes. Hagermann had 9 points in 37 minutes versus Maryland.

Isaline Alexander: The 6’3” sophomore forward averages 5.9 points and 4 rebounds in 17.3 minutes: Alexander had 8 points in 20 minutes versus Maryland

Others:

Julia Ayrault
: The 6’2” redshirt junior guard averages 3.5 points in 10.3 minutes. Ayrault had 15 points in 18 minutes versus Maryland.

Tory Ozmant: the 6’1” senior swing player averages 2.9 points in 16.2 minutes. Ozmant had 5 points in 19 minutes versus Maryland.
 
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have to wonder if this game gets played or not.. with the huge SNOW storm coming in on Tuesday..
 

From a NET vs RPI perspective, Sparty has also had a very strange year. MSU is 46 in the NET and 167 in the RPI. No other team in the NET top 50 has a triple digit RPI.

3 other teams in the NET top 75 have a triple digit RPI (Oregon State 54 v 114; Ga Tech 73 v 100; Houston 75 v 115), but none have anywhere near the NET vs RPI discrepancy that MSU does.
 

have to wonder if this game gets played or not.. with the huge SNOW storm coming in on Tuesday..
Just looked at the long range forecast for East Lansing. Snow supposed to start there on Wednesday and maybe freezing rain on Thursday. Assuming the Gophers can leave on Tuesday afternoon, we should get there but might be delayed coming home based on the weather there (and here).
 



Game time has been moved to 3:30 PM central time due to weather issues in East Lansing. Still streaming on BTN+ and on KFAN+ 96.7 FM with Justin and Lynnette.
 



Really a pretty solid half but need to hit some open shots and stop fouling on defense. Did a good job taking care of the ball and got good looks offensively.
 



I have NO IDEA why Whalen allows Katie to be in late game spots.. then TO's it over back to back..

Battle shouldn't be on the bench under 5 minutes in the 4th quarter..

8 points, 10 rebounds.. 3 assists

Kaite 6 points 5 TO's
 

Katie B. Is feisty and spunky everyone loves her…I do. Reality a turnover machine right now
 


They had their chances. In the 4th, they got tight, tried to do too much, and made mistakes. Gradwell had another good game (12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, and 0 T.O.). She needs more playing time and can help steady the team.
 



and THAT's why she can't be in the game especially close games late in the 4th quarter.. this was what sealed the game.. View attachment 24173
I agree the decision making and forcing passes and turnovers by Katie B is really something that needs to be addressed. When those types of turnovers are effecting outcomes of games, that is the time that the coaches need to have some tough conversations. You want competitiveness, and creativity, but valuing the basketball and possessions in end of game leverage situations like close games matters. Turnovers seem to be contagious with Katie B as well as puckering. Those types of turnovers lose trust.
 




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