The Spartans did look tired at times.  Ohio State had a clear advantage with their size and at times, their zone defense gave MSU problems at times.  But on a night where MSU had trouble driving to the basket, they were able to compensate with their stellar three-point shooting.  The Spartans were 8 for 17 from behind the arc.  Six different Spartans scored at least one three-pointer.  Kalin Lucas was two for three and Korie Lucious hit both of his three-pointers.  Raymar Morgan contributed another double-double, his third in a row, with thirteen points and ten rebounds.

Much like the Northwestern game, the Buckeyes were able to hang around much of the first half.  But with the Buckeyes in the lead, the Spartans scored five three-pointers in less than three minutes to take the lead, and at that point, never looked back.  This was the eighth straight win for the Spartans.

Three Stars:

1: Kalin Lucas.  He did it all yesterday.  20 points, 2 three-pointers, 2 assists, a steal and playing 32 minutes.

2: William Buford. A bright spot for the Buckeyes.  Like Lucas, he played 32 minutes, the most for OSU.  17 points, he hit 50% of this three-pointers and was all over the floor.

3: Raymar Morgan. His third straight double-double and he’s been keeping out of foul trouble.  I think the Raymar Morgan we’ve been waiting to see is finally showing up.

Home Games

1/9/2009. OSU at MSU. Buckeyes 8/13. Spartans. 17/26. Differential: Spartans +13.

Road Games

12/31/2008. MSU at Minnesota. Gophers: 10/16. Spartans 6/18. Differential: Spartans +2.

1/3/2009. MSU at NW. Wildcats: 13/19. Spartans 10/18. Differential: Spartans -1.

Home Total: +13

Road Total: +1

Overall Total: +14

With the victories over Minnesota and Northwestern on the road, this was the first Spartan basketball team in history to open the Big 10 season with two road wins.  It’s tough to win on the road, and for the Spartans to win two straight against two good teams says a lot.

The first half had me worried.  Northwestern took a one point lead going into the half.  The Spartans didn’t look that bad, but they didn’t appear to have an answer for the Wildcats’ zone defense.

I have no idea what Tom Izzo said to the team during halftime, and I’m sure much of it would be unprintable on this blog anyway.  But whatever he said, it worked.

MSU went on a 12 – 0 run to start the half and didn’t allow the Wildcats to score until the 14:25 mark.  After that, it was all Spartans.  Raymar Morgan lead the way with 22 point, 13 rebound double-double.  Kalin Lucas and Chris Allen each had 17 points as well.  It didn’t get much better than Lucas feeding Morgan for the alley-oop either, seen here:

Yeah, that’s bad.

This season, UAFAlaska has been a surprise, the Nanooks are currently in third place and within three points of conference-leader Notre Dame.  The secret behind the Nanooks success?  This video:

Words cannot describe the sheer awesomeness of that video.  A giant Space Bear blows up some random planet, gives a satellite a wicked slapshot, destroys the moon, lays waste to Anchorage and still has enough energy left to go to a hockey game; all to the tune of Highway to the Danger Zone.

Stephen Colbert was right.  Bears just aren’t the number one threat to America, they’re apparently the number one threat to the galaxy.

Since I have never seen any statistical evidence one way or the other, for during the Big 10 season I am going to keep track of how many free throws the Spartans shoot compared to how many their opponents shoot, and whether the game was at the Breslin Center or on the road.

And we’re off, two road games into the season.

Home Games

Road Games

12/31/2008. MSU at Minnesota. Gophers: 10/16. Spartans 6/18. Differential: Spartans +2.

1/3/2009. MSU at NW. Wildcats: 13/19. Spartans 10/18. Differential: Spartans -1.

Home Total: 0

Road Total: +1

Overall Total: +1

14:40: Third and three.  Big first down here.

14:18: Didn’t get the first.  Another three and out is bad, the defense needs a breather.

13:35: Georgia gets the ball back at their 10.  Hopefully Stafford reverts to his first half form.

13:27: Huge sack for MSU!  Almost a safety.  Great job by Brandon Long.

12:42: Another great stop by the MSU defense.  Third and twenty from the two.

11:58: Great stop for the Spartans.  The offense should end up with some nice field position.  What a great series for the Spartan D.

11:11: Nice punt by Georgia, MSU gets the ball back at the 46.

10:04: Nice job by Hoyer to avoid the sack and get the pass completed.  He’s better than he was last year.

10:01: And as I say that, Hoyer makes a poor throw to the tight end.

9:55: The ball gets thrown behind Dell.  Fourth and six.  MSU going for it.

9:51: Cunningham makes the reception.  There’s no way he didn’t get the first down.

9:41: MSU goes no huddle.  Flag down.

Too many Dawgs on the field according to the talking heads.  Penalty declined.

9:31: Dell with a great catch down to the four yard line!

9:27: Georgia forced to use a time out.  This time not enough guys on the field.  It goes without saying that the Spartans MUST get a touchdown here.

8:50: TOUCHDOWN MSU!  JAVON RINGER RUNS IT IN!

8:50: Two-point conversion fails.  Hoyer took a big hit, Gantt was held on the play with no-call.  17 – 12 Georgia.

8:50: Replay confirms it, no doubt that Gantt was held by the defender.

7:31: Nice pressure by MSU to force Stafford to throw the ball away.  Trevor Anderson gets the shot on the QB.

7:22: Another screen pass by Georgia.  They’ve been using that very effectively today.

7:21: Otis Wiley is down.  No word yet what happened.

6:15: Georgia’s down to the 20 yard line or so.  We need a big stop here.  A touchdown might be the nail in the coffin.

5:44: Nice job stuffing Moreno.  The talking heads have been pretty quiet this half about him going pro.

5:01: Spartans bring some heat, but Georgia picks up the first down.  Ugh.

4:33: Moreno runs into Stafford and then his blocker, still makes it back to the line of scrimmage.  And our first mention of Moreno and Stafford going pro.

3:50: Incomplete, stops the clock.  Third and ten.  Time to come up huge.

3:43: Touchdown Georgia.  Nice catch by Moreno.  It’s going to be reviewed, but it should stand.

3:43: Touchdown stands.  Georgia tacks on the PAT.  24-12.

–Well, nice win by the Red Wings.  6 – 4 over Chicago.  Detroit has taken 8 out of 8 points against the Blakchawks so far this season.  This pretty big considering how much trouble Chicago gave Detroit last year.  I also like the hats that Babcock and his staff are wearing.

3:38: MSU starts at the 49.  Come on, State.

3:38: Georgia jumps the snap.  First and five.  Hoyer runs for the first down.

3:15: Hoyer slips.

2:54: Another sack by Georgia.  That’s six today.

2:48: Fourth and twenty-two.  Dell with the catch, let’s see if the refs screw us.

2:48: Measurement says short by a centimeter.  Dantonio looks pissed.  Play is being further reviewed.

2:48: Ruling stands.  Dammit!

2:38: Two nice stops by MSU.  Gotta hold them on third down here.

2:29: MSU stops Moreno on third down.  Clock still running.

1:49: The talking heads are talking about how similar UGA and MSU are.  Aside from the fact Georgia started the season ranked number 1 and MSU started unranked; how the Capital One was huge for MSU and a disappointment for Georgia, and how no one predicted 9 wins for MSU, they’re very similar.

1:29: Hoyer forced to run, at least he gets out to stop the clock.

1:23: First down, but Cunningham doesn’t get out.  Clock running.

1:12: Hoyer throws it away.  Refs take pity and don’t call intentional grounding.

1:04: Hoyer goes downfield, throws a pick.  And that’s the game.

0:00: And that’s all she wrote.

Overall, I’m pleased with how the season turned out.  This win would have been icing on the cake, and its a little frustrating with the chances that MSU didn’t capitalize on.  But no one can deny that this program is heading in the right direction.

14:46: The sideline babe said the Spartans held Moreno to 24 yards in the first half.  That’s amazing!

13:09: Great pressure by the Spartans.  Stafford did a good job getting rid of the ball.  Weaver really need to lock Moreno up, but he’s slippery.

12:34: Third and one, great stop by the Spartans.  Gordon makes the stop.  Dawgs going for it on fourth.

11:50: Flag on the play.  Holding on the offense.  10 yard penalty, Georgia to punt.  Great way to start the second half.

–Between making chili and watching the football game, the Red Wings have tied the game up.  3 – 3 with 5 minutes to go in the second.  I was at The Cold War several years ago, I can’t imagine that a baseball field would make for better viewing than a football field.

–Iowa State has won the Capital One National Mascot of the year.  No way is “Cy” better than Sparty.

10:29: A virus is raging through the Michigan State team.  That’s not good.  Curry tweaked his leg trying to catch an over thrown pass.  I never knew Curry was the son of the Pistons coach.  Don’t know how I missed that.

9:46: MSU has 20 more plays in oppnent territory than Georgia.

9:33: I thought that was a fumble by Cunningham.  I’m happy with an incomplete.  The talking heads said the refs made the right call.

9:22: The punt takes a MSU bounce!  53 yard punt by Bates, downed at the 4 yard line.

–The Red Wings have taken the lead, 4 -3 with two minutes to go in the second.

9:15: Moreno breaks a 10 yard run, breaking a Greg Jones tackle.  Crap.

8:52:  Nice throw by Stafford.  Maybe his best all day.  He still hasn’t looked that sharp.

6:52: We’ve gone the entire quarter without a mention of Moreno going pro.  I’m having a hard time beliving it.

6:39: False start on the Dawgs.  Back it up.

5:25: Nice screen by Georgia to get the first down.  MSU really could have used a stop right there.

4:05: Another screen, another Georgia first down.  Nice job getting pressure by MSU though.

3:31: Touchdown Georgia.  Wiley bit on the fake.  10 – 6 Georgia.  Time for a big series by MSU on offense.

–Big Ten Network has the MSU/Purdue women’s basketball game.  I don’t know if this is a rerun or not.  MSU up by two in OT.

–That was especially frustrating since Georgia started on their own 4 yard line.

2:39: Pass interference on Georgia.

2:01: Hoyer overthrows Dell.  Dell had his man beat.  Damn.

1:36: Very nice run by Hoyer to pick up the first on third down.

1:21: And his nice run is followed up with Georgia’s fifth sack of the day.

0:34: Third and eighteen.  Hoyer rolls out and has to throw it again.

0:15: Greg Jones just saved a touchdown! Flag on the play.

0:15: Personal foul on MSU.  This puts Georgia at MSU’s 21.

–MSU women’s team wins in OT.

0:10: One play, touchdown Georgia.  This is getting ugly. 17 – 6 Dawgs.

And that’s the end of the third.  MSU is going to need a huge fourth quarter.

14:54: Hoyer throws on the run to Martin.  Just goes in and out of Martin’s hands.  Ugh.  Hoyer might have been better off with a tuck and run.

14:48: Georgia starts at their own 11, nice punt by Bates.

14:04: Screen pass.  They need to take a look at Georgia’s receivers and their blocking/holding.

13:42: Fifth mention of Moreno to the NFL.

12:47:  Sixth mention.  Big third down for the MSU defense right here.

12:14: Horrible throw by Stafford.  Georgia to punt.  Nice job by the Spartan defense.

–Wings and Hawks tied 1 – 1 about half way throw the first period.  Why oh why does this half to be on at the same time as MSU?

12:03: Cousins is in the game.  Not sure why.  Holding on a MSU receiver.  The talking heads said Hoyer has a tweaked knee and they just want to get Cousins some playing time.

11:09: Mark Dell with his first catch.  Another third down.  MSU is 0 – 5 on third down.

10:27: Cousins out of the shotgun, nice catch by Cunningham.

9:57: Late flag following a nice run by Ringer.  Offsetting personal fouls on Deon Curry and Dent for Georgia.

9:29: Cousins gets sacked, held the ball too long.  Loss of ten.  Rookie mistake by Cousins.  He made the same mistake I do when playing NCAA 2009 on the 360; moving backwards when the pressure comes.

8:46: Yet another third and long.  Great catch by Dell!  Not enough for a first down, but a great catch.

7:57: Swenson shanks a 53 yard field goal.  Swenson wasn’t able to set up, the talking heads are correct, not sure why a time out wasn’t used.

–Blackhawks now have a 2 -1 lead with 4:00 in the first.  I can’t stand the Blackhawks, although I have to admit it’s nice to see them doing well.  It makes the game more interesting.

7:50: Greg Jones with a hit in the backfield on Moreno!  He got through comepletely unblocked.

7:12: MSU gets some pressure on Stafford again.  Nice job by the defense.

7:11: Mention of Moreno going pro, yet again.  MSU brings the blitz, MSU forces the three and out.

7:07: The sideline babe is talking about how she asked Moreno about going pro.

7:00: Georgia punter drops the ball!  MSU takes over on the Georgia 39.

6:12: No idea where that pass was going.  Thank goodness it was picked off out of bounds.  Time out MSU.

–Switched channels just in time to see the Blackhawks score on a wrap-around.  3 -1 Hawks after the first.  Hate to say it, but that was a nice goal.

6:12: One of the talking heads said “Georgia just keeps pulling a Plaxico, shooting themselves.” Of course, he pronounced it “Plexico”.

5:56: Great run by Ringer to get the first down.

5:37: Moreno is the number 1 rated running back.  Funny how they hadn’t mentioned this before [/sarcasm].

4:45: Hoyer to Dell for the first down.  Nice job by Hoyer on third down.

2:44: Hoyer sacked, that’s the fourth one for the Dawgs.

2:14: Swenson hits the 32 yarder to take a 6 – 3 lead.  It’s frustrating how MSU has spent so much time in Georgia territory and only has 6 points to show for it.  But, Georgia only has 3 points, so I can’t complain that much.

2:05: Georgia returns the kickoff to the 44.  Let’s go defense.  Good job to bottle up Moreno and stop him for one.

1:14: Georgia letting the clock run, I’m not about suggest they do otherwise.

0:32: Georgia gets the first down, finally calls a time out.  The Dawgs get the ball to start the second half, time for a big defensive stop and go into the half with the lead.

0:26: Stafford throws out of bounds.  Second down.

0:21: Stafford overthrows this receiver.  It was more than just the “slight” overthrow the talking heads said it was.

0:14: Stafford throws into triple coverage.  Based on those last three plays, Stafford looks like he’d be perfect for the Lions.

0:07: MSU gets the ball back on the 20.  Hoyer takes a knee and takes a 6 – 3 lead into the half.  And with that, I’m off to make chili.

14:55: Hoyer throws on 1st down.  No way in hell Georgia was expecting anything besides Ringer up the middle.

13:00: Ringer stuffed on a 2nd down.  Gotta win the battles in the trenches.  That’s key today.

12:15: Almost picked off.  Big 3rd down stop for the Dawgs right there.

12:05: Fake punt!  I like the call, pulling some trickery.  At least it doesn’t give Georgia great field position.

11:17: Nice pressure on Stafford really, but that was some poor coverage.  Georgia is just marching down the field.

10:01: Stafford overthrows his WR.  First thing to go wrong for Georgia so far today.

9:56: MSU brings the heat!  Great job getting the sack and holding Georgia to a field goal.

8:38: Another nice catch by B.J. Cunningham.  I think that kid is going to be something special in a couple years as he gets more experience.

8:11: Spartans take a shot downfield, ball just off Cunningham’s finger.  I like what the Spartans are doing so far, throwing the ball and mixing it up.

6:53: Just short of the first.  Looked like MSU was going to for it, then let the clock wind down and back it up 5 yards for the punt.

–Switched over to The Winter Classic.  Love the old school jerseys that the Wings and Hawks are wearing.

6:16: Interception by MSU!  Flag on the play.  Nice grab by Kendall Davis-Clark.

6:15: Personal foul on Georgia.  Even better!

5:00: Third and goal.  Hoyer just overthrows it.

4:54: Swenson nails the 20 yard field goal.  3-3

4:35: Moreno keeps running, that guy is just a beast.

3:05: Just mentioned Moreno going pro.  Fourth time, that’s I’ve noticed.

2:55: Fumble, MSU recovers!  Great job by Otis Wiley to force the fumble.

2:53: Another delay of game against MSU.  I don’t think this one was on purpose.

2:51: Sack by Georgia.  2nd and 21.

2:11: Ringer tackled for a loss. Back the ball up again.  This is frustrating.

1:25.  Roughing the passer against Georgia.  Automatic first down!  That really bailed out MSU.  Georgia is apparently one of the most penalized teams in all of D1.

1:25: I can hear the “Go Green Go White” chant on TV.  Way to represent, Spartan fans.

1:02: Trying to go for the reverse pass.  Georgia snuffs it out.  Let’s end the trick plays.

End of the first with a tackle for a loss.  This Georgia defense looks good.