In my opinion will be:
1) MSU's 3 point shooting
2) MSU's ability to create their shots
3) MSU's physical and mental toughness
*MSU is probably the best 3 point shooting team in the country right now. Purdue shot a God-awful like 3-25 from 3 point land against Maryland. I honestly do believe that Purdue will shoot the ball better tonight against MSU. Purdue has some streaky shooters (Mathias, Cline, Edwards and Stephens) who are capable, but they can not match the shooting firepower of Forbes, Valentine, Harris and McQuaid. The advantage has to go to MSU in regards to 3 point marksmanship.
*MSU has several players who can break you down off the dribble and create their own shot. Eron Harris is capable of creativity off the dribble as well Valentine, McQuaid, Alvin Ellis III and Tum Tum Nairn (who probably won't play due to a foot injury). Purdue has one such player who can create his own shot and that would be Vince Edwards. The problem with Edwards has been his inability to create his own shot on a consistent basis.
When plays break down or if opposing teams are collapsing down on your bigs, a really good team has to have players capable of creative shot making ability. The advantage goes to MSU in regards to creative shot making ability.
*Now, lets talk about physical and mental toughness. This has been a trademark staple of all Tom Izzo coached teams. It used to be a something Purdue coached teams could hang their hats on under former coach Gene Keady. Purdue might not have always had the most talented teams athletically under Coach Keady, but they sure as hell competed extremely hard, were very physical and were mentally tough as nails. When an opposing team went into Mackey Arena back then, they knew they were in a dogfight for the entire basketball game.
This current Purdue basketball team under CMP seems to lack mental toughness, especially in the second half against top shelf competition. They've surrendered leads in the second half to Iowa and Maryland. It was as if Purdue players expected to lose to both Iowa and Maryland. They wilted under the pressure in the second half of both games. If Purdue does not come out and play their most physical game of the season tonight and play with supreme mental toughness, they do not have a chance to win this ball game against MSU in my humble opinion.
In conclusion,
I expect a very hard fought game between two strong teams. It will be a slugfest. Michigan State wants this game as much as Purdue does. There is some bad blood between both schools fan bases due to several situations that have happened in the past involving the Dawson recruitment, the Biggie decommittment and the Payne/Appling allegations. I have had this game against Purdue circled on my calendar and can not wait until tip off. I truly believe that the 3 deciding factors that I previously discussed, with swing the game in MSU's favor and ultimately will result in a hard fought win for Michigan State. Good luck to you guys tonight.
BTW,
I have no problem coming back here to this site and eating my healthy dose of crow if Purdue wins.
X-factor: Watch out for Michigan State's freshman 6'10" big Deyonta Davis. He is a very special talent who may be a one-and-done and a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft according to Chad Ford of ESPN.
1) MSU's 3 point shooting
2) MSU's ability to create their shots
3) MSU's physical and mental toughness
*MSU is probably the best 3 point shooting team in the country right now. Purdue shot a God-awful like 3-25 from 3 point land against Maryland. I honestly do believe that Purdue will shoot the ball better tonight against MSU. Purdue has some streaky shooters (Mathias, Cline, Edwards and Stephens) who are capable, but they can not match the shooting firepower of Forbes, Valentine, Harris and McQuaid. The advantage has to go to MSU in regards to 3 point marksmanship.
*MSU has several players who can break you down off the dribble and create their own shot. Eron Harris is capable of creativity off the dribble as well Valentine, McQuaid, Alvin Ellis III and Tum Tum Nairn (who probably won't play due to a foot injury). Purdue has one such player who can create his own shot and that would be Vince Edwards. The problem with Edwards has been his inability to create his own shot on a consistent basis.
When plays break down or if opposing teams are collapsing down on your bigs, a really good team has to have players capable of creative shot making ability. The advantage goes to MSU in regards to creative shot making ability.
*Now, lets talk about physical and mental toughness. This has been a trademark staple of all Tom Izzo coached teams. It used to be a something Purdue coached teams could hang their hats on under former coach Gene Keady. Purdue might not have always had the most talented teams athletically under Coach Keady, but they sure as hell competed extremely hard, were very physical and were mentally tough as nails. When an opposing team went into Mackey Arena back then, they knew they were in a dogfight for the entire basketball game.
This current Purdue basketball team under CMP seems to lack mental toughness, especially in the second half against top shelf competition. They've surrendered leads in the second half to Iowa and Maryland. It was as if Purdue players expected to lose to both Iowa and Maryland. They wilted under the pressure in the second half of both games. If Purdue does not come out and play their most physical game of the season tonight and play with supreme mental toughness, they do not have a chance to win this ball game against MSU in my humble opinion.
In conclusion,
I expect a very hard fought game between two strong teams. It will be a slugfest. Michigan State wants this game as much as Purdue does. There is some bad blood between both schools fan bases due to several situations that have happened in the past involving the Dawson recruitment, the Biggie decommittment and the Payne/Appling allegations. I have had this game against Purdue circled on my calendar and can not wait until tip off. I truly believe that the 3 deciding factors that I previously discussed, with swing the game in MSU's favor and ultimately will result in a hard fought win for Michigan State. Good luck to you guys tonight.
BTW,
I have no problem coming back here to this site and eating my healthy dose of crow if Purdue wins.
X-factor: Watch out for Michigan State's freshman 6'10" big Deyonta Davis. He is a very special talent who may be a one-and-done and a potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft according to Chad Ford of ESPN.
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