***OFFICIAL MICHIGAN STATE AT MINNESOTA IZZO LONG POST-GAME HANDSHAKE WITH JOHNSON, POST-GAME PRAISE IN-GAME THREAD!!!***

Stan

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With the win over Bethune Cookman behind us and momentum on our way, now is the time to build a 2 game win streak as we welcome Izzo and the Spartans at The Barn. MSU fresh off a win over UNC and a recent loss to Memphis, will not take us lightly. That's not Izzo's squads style.

One thing we do know, after the game Izzo will have an extended handshake with Johnson on the court, whispering encouragement to him to "keep doing it the right way" and then in the post-game press conference Izzo will be effusive in his praise to the program Johnson is building here and will encourage Coyle and fans to be patient.

Or we can shock the world and get off to a 1-0 Big Ten start and beat Sparty at which point the handshake will be swift and the post-game comments short.

GET 'ER DONE JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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With the win over Bethune Cookman behind us and momentum on our way, now is the time to build a 2 game win streak as we welcome Izzo and the Spartans at The Barn. MSU fresh off a win over UNC and a recent loss to Memphis, will not take us lightly. That's not Izzo's squads style.

One thing we do know, after the game Izzo will have an extended handshake with Johnson on the court, whispering encouragement to him to "keep doing it the right way" and then in the post-game press conference Izzo will be effusive in his praise to the program Johnson is building here and will encourage Coyle and fans to be patient.

Or we can shock the world and get off to a 1-0 Big Ten start and beat Sparty at which point the handshake will be swift and the post-game comments short.

GET 'ER DONE JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done, Stan!

I'm an Izzo guy. ... but

while I can appreciate that a veteran coach looks out for struggling coaches and offers them effusive praise at any opportunity (that's better than being an a-hole), too often the praise rings hollow.
 

Johnson and the Gophers need to make an early statement here and get the W...period. If taking next step you need to win at Home in the Big 10 and after unfortunate losses in non conference which we had, if we don't make any statement soon, then we are all likely correct as likely going to be another long tough season. Rah!
 

Gophers lose by 30 tonight. My plan is to go to the gym and check the score occasionally.
 

I would have more respect for Izzo if he would call a spade a spade. I appreciate Ben's effort in trying to be a P6 basketball coach but realistically he is not. Izzo should tell Ben (in confidence) to go down a few levels and do the work to become a D1 coach. Ben has been over his head and obviously underperforming his entire time as the Gophers HC.
 



Well done, Stan!

I'm an Izzo guy. ... but

while I can appreciate that a veteran coach looks out for struggling coaches and offers them effusive praise at any opportunity (that's better than being an a-hole), too often the praise rings hollow.
Izzo has been patting our program on the head for 25 years now.
 

Tonight's game will be decided by the guys in the post. If Frank Mitchell, Trey Edmunds, Parker Fox, and Kadyn Betts do not bring their best tonight, then this game is going to go south fast. MSU is not a great shooting team from the perimeter, but they will pound the paint and the glass.

I am looking to see how Asuma holds up against Holloman. Lack of experience goes against Asuma, but over time, Asuma is a better point guard than Holloman.
 




Well done, Stan!

I'm an Izzo guy. ... but

while I can appreciate that a veteran coach looks out for struggling coaches and offers them effusive praise at any opportunity (that's better than being an a-hole), too often the praise rings hollow.
Saying whatever is necessary to keep all of the crappy competing coaches around as long as possible sounds like great strategy to me.
 


Michigan State is dead last in 3 point shooting in the country. They don't have very many good basketball players currently but they are athletic which will be an issue.
 

You will be running home at the half when we are up 1! :) 27-26

I'm honestly one of the most optimistic people you could ask about Gophers BB. Not this year. We have an awful team and while I like him Ben is not the guy. Let's get the season over with and move on. The sooner the better.
 



Tonight's game will be decided by the guys in the post. If Frank Mitchell, Trey Edmunds, Parker Fox, and Kadyn Betts do not bring their best tonight, then this game is going to go south fast.
Despite their 3-spoint shooting woes, Michigan State's strength is their guards/wings, not their bigs. Kohler is the only 1 of the 3 bigs a threat to score anywhere from outside of 5 feet. Cooper and Zapala are role players. Xavier Booker (tall, but doesn't feel like a big) is talented, but inconsistent.

Akins/Holloman/Richardson/Fears/Fidler/Carr, both in talent and volume. ... I have no idea how the Gopher guards & wings will be able to comepte with these guys. If they do, we have a chance. That would mean someone other than Garcia is doing work.
 

I would have more respect for Izzo if he would call a spade a spade. I appreciate Ben's effort in trying to be a P6 basketball coach but realistically he is not. Izzo should tell Ben (in confidence) to go down a few levels and do the work to become a D1 coach. Ben has been over his head and obviously underperforming his entire time as the Gophers HC.
He's not going to do that when Johnson is still the head coach at MN. If he's fired? Sure then it makes sense.
 

Despite their 3-spoint shooting woes, Michigan State's strength is their guards/wings, not their bigs. Kohler is the only 1 of the 3 bigs a threat to score anywhere from outside of 5 feet. Cooper and Zapala are role players. Xavier Booker (tall, but doesn't feel like a big) is talented, but inconsistent.

Akins/Holloman/Richardson/Fears/Fidler/Carr. ... I have no idea how the Gopher guards & wings will be able to comepte with these guys. If they do, we have a chance. That would mean someone other than Garcia is doing work.
If we let them run after turnovers, rebounds or even after made buckets (Izzo does that better than anyone I have ever seen) we are toast. Have to slow them down on the defensive end but play with decent pace on the offensive side.
 


Izzo will work the refs continuously, get favorable calls (you can picture his face whining right now!)
Despite playing their best game of the year against NC, my hope is the Spartans will not reach 80 pts tonight, play like they did against Bowling Green, will turn the ball over 15+ times, shoot 43% FGs, 31% 3's, and fall to a stout MN defense.

Garcia will battle for 16 pts, but dish 8 assists and freshman Asuma will have his best game double-double. Effusive praise from Izzo..

Frank Mitchell will also play his best game battling for 9 boards, while collecting 3 fouls.

MN wins by 3 in the mid-upper 60's, despite giving up a frustrating few easy fast break baskets after made FGs (despite knowing exactly what's coming).

Izzo will say in post press conf. that his team has "..a lot of work to do", and they can't just let guys...

This is the Big Ten opener, and a Gophers need to get off to a good start! Just hope the above comes to fruition. MSU a 4.5pt. favorite on the road. ;)
 




One positive: We have nothing to lose tonight! Most all of us feel like we are heading nowhere this year so it's all upside. Go Gophers! Let's shock Sparty!
 


One positive: We have nothing to lose tonight! Most all of us feel like we are heading nowhere this year so it's all upside. Go Gophers! Let's shock Sparty!
I read that MM is questionable for tonight’s game which pretty much means there is no chance he will be in the game. Bummer! Let’s hope we do not dig ourselves into a hole the first half that we can’t climb out of. Make some free throws, eliminate the shot clock violations, limit turnovers, make good coaching decisions and who knows what may happen.
 


Izzo will work the refs continuously, get favorable calls (you can picture his face whining right now!)
Despite playing their best game of the year against NC, my hope is the Spartans will not reach 80 pts tonight, play like they did against Bowling Green, will turn the ball over 15+ times, shoot 43% FGs, 31% 3's, and fall to a stout MN defense.

Garcia will battle for 16 pts, but dish 8 assists and freshman Asuma will have his best game double-double. Effusive praise from Izzo..

Frank Mitchell will also play his best game battling for 9 boards, while collecting 3 fouls.

MN wins by 3 in the mid-upper 60's, despite giving up a frustrating few easy fast break baskets after made FGs (despite knowing exactly what's coming).

Izzo will say in post press conf. that his team has "..a lot of work to do", and they can't just let guys...

This is the Big Ten opener, and a Gophers need to get off to a good start! Just hope the above comes to fruition. MSU a 4.5pt. favorite on the road. ;)
If Garcia ends up with 8 assists
You gotta play a lotto ticket asap
 

I have a feeling this ends up as a W. No logic. It's hard to win on the road in the B10.
At least you've put down your spreadsheet, but have you actually watched these two teams?

However, your wording is ambiguous so it is certain that this ends as a W...but for which team?
 

I would have more respect for Izzo if he would call a spade a spade. I appreciate Ben's effort in trying to be a P6 basketball coach but realistically he is not. Izzo should tell Ben (in confidence) to go down a few levels and do the work to become a D1 coach. Ben has been over his head and obviously underperforming his entire time as the Gophers HC.
Middle school?
 

I'm honestly one of the most optimistic people you could ask about Gophers BB. Not this year. We have an awful team and while I like him Ben is not the guy. Let's get the season over with and move on. The sooner the better.
When does the football season start?
 

If Garcia ends up with 8 assists
You gotta play a lotto ticket asap
Garcia has to find the open guy once the double team/help arrives. Edey was terrific at that last year, and if Dawson has NBA aspirations he has to find the open man. MN cannot stand around watching iso ball. MSU needs to be tired after every MN possession guarding guys that are in constant motion finding space.
 




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