Michigan State University Basketball Blog

This was brutal and it goes to show how 1) The Spartans probably aren’t a top ten team, at least not at this point in the season and 2) how good North Carolina is. While the Spartans avoided it last night by giving up “just” 98, you don’t see too many teams get close to that century mark on a historically good defensive team.

Raymar Morgan led the way with 21 points and six rebounds. Delvon Roe picked up eight rebounds while Chris Allen was the only other Spartan to score in double figures with 16. .348 shooting isn’t going to cut and that’s what MSU shot last night.

Next up are the Bradley Braves this Sunday. Bradley’s 4-2 but they got destroyed by Florida earlier in the year. The Spartans shouldn’t have any problems with this game considering they’ll be at the Breslin Center.

Spartan Squad at Old Spice Classic

Izzo at the Old Spice Classic

Two out of three isn’t too bad unless you’re a top ten team.  The Spartans got smoked by Maryland in the opener of the Old Spice Classic last week and while they recovered to top Oklahoma St. and Wichita St., the 80-62 beating at the hands of Maryland pushed MSU down to 13th in the rankings.

Next up is the top ranked Tar Heels.  In fact the game is going on as we speak and UNC is up 11-6.  So far, things aren’t going so well.

It’s no big surprise, but the Spartans are 2-0.  Their 70-59 win wasn’t nearly as impressive as their 100 point showing against Iowa, but it was good enough to secure a win.

Raymar Morgan had the hot hand and he drained home 22.  Kalin Lucas scored 17 while Goran Sutton brought home ten rebounds.

The Spartans had an eight point half time lead in this one but came out flat in the second half.  They were actually down by three a couple of different times but a 13-0 run put the game away for MSU.

Now things get interesting.  The Spartans host Maryland on Thanksgiving to kick off the Old Spice Classic.  Then almost a week after that, they play number one ranked North Carolina.  The next couple of week should be pretty telling as to whether MSU deserves that number five rank.