Can USC return the favor tonight?....

[thekimmer]

While we wait to take on the redbirds, we can turn our attention to the other side of the bracket tonight.

Can Aja and the rest of the female male chickens do to the sled dogs what they did to us in music city? Probably not but dang it would be cool if they did.

 

[L4Dawg]

I don’t think they can beat UCONN.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

They went through what the chickens need to do to beat Uconn. It sounded a hell of a lot like our normal game.

Staleys personal ref won't be there tonight and that was their only legit shot.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

I'm gonna watch it just to laugh at her flailing around the entire game.

 

[Bulldogg31]

If SC can survive the storm in the first 10 minutes they might have a chance. UCONN is like early Mike Tyson. They bring everything they've got in the first five minutes and before you know it you're down 15 or 20 and the fight is over. We turned the tables on them last year and managed to hang on till the finish.

 

[notoriousD_O_G]

I want UConn. If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

I want UConn. If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best

Not that I necessarily want UConn, but I hate USCe and want them to get embarrassed like a kid who loses his swimsuit on the highdive.

 

[wtw2400]

Dawn gets a lot of hate on here. I understand why, because more times than not she gets the best of us. But as she said yesterday, she has a different style. And she has been very complimentary of us and of course them. And quite honestly, I can tell she coaches for her team. And I respect that.

But I cannot root for Geno. He is absolutely the cockiest a hole I have seen in sports. If you saw the tidbit of him basically bragging about his domination of SC, I just don't get what the point of it was. He doesn't give credit to the other team. He talks about how great he and his team are.... No I'm not saying he doesn't have the right to, but that doesn't mean I have to like him.

SC is a fun rivalry we have. And I'm glad to have it. With that being said I know a bunch of SC fans were rooting for us to knock off UConn so they wouldn't have to play them. So I'll return the favor and root for them. Yes they defeated us this year. But if we shot that poorly against UCLA as we did against SC in that SECT Final, UCLA beats us by double digits easily. You cannot have an off night in the NCAAT and expect to win.

I know everyone is looking at the future, but let me just close and say Louisville is the best team this team has faced this year and they will be a challenge. Yes it is funny we are playing them once again in the Postseason, but they only have 2 losses and are ACC Regular and Tournament Champions. This team is either #2 or #3 in the country with us. Friday will prove which is worthy for the National Championship and I look forward to it. The one positive is that Louisville has no one that can matchup with McCowan. And that is why I'm glad Louisville is here and not Baylor.

 

[MSUDC11]

SC’s only chance is for UConn to have a game like we had in the SEC title game where absolutely nothing will fall, even from open looks.

I still expect UConn to win, probably by double digits.

 

[thekimmer]

I want a national championship...

I want UConn. If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best

I don't care how it is accomplished as long as it doesn't involve loss of life or limb. USC kind of backed into one last year after we took out uconn and essentially ourselves in the process and I would be more than happy to get that too!

 

[BulldogBlitz]

I want UConn. If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best

No thanks. It will count no matter which 2 teams play Sunday. I'm alright with an chicken beheading tonight and another Uconn semifinal loss on Friday. Uconn and the numerous sidewalk fans need another humbling moment to keep them out of their assumed throne.

 

[thekimmer]

Dawn gets a lot of hate on here. I understand why, because more times than not she gets the best of us. But as she said yesterday, she has a different style. And she has been very complimentary of us and of course them. And quite honestly, I can tell she coaches for her team. And I respect that.

But I cannot root for Geno. He is absolutely the cockiest a hole I have seen in sports. If you saw the tidbit of him basically bragging about his domination of SC, I just don't get what the point of it was. He doesn't give credit to the other team. He talks about how great he and his team are.... No I'm not saying he doesn't have the right to, but that doesn't mean I have to like him.

SC is a fun rivalry we have. And I'm glad to have it. With that being said I know a bunch of SC fans were rooting for us to knock off UConn so they wouldn't have to play them. So I'll return the favor and root for them. Yes they defeated us this year. But if we shot that poorly against UCLA as we did against SC in that SECT Final, UCLA beats us by double digits easily. You cannot have an off night in the NCAAT and expect to win.

I know everyone is looking at the future, but let me just close and say Louisville is the best team this team has faced this year and they will be a challenge. Yes it is funny we are playing them once again in the Postseason, but they only have 2 losses and are ACC Regular and Tournament Champions. This team is either #2 or #3 in the country with us. Friday will prove which is worthy for the National Championship and I look forward to it. The one positive is that Louisville has no one that can matchup with McCowan. And that is why I'm glad Louisville is here and not Baylor.

I am not a staley fan and I can only say for myself that it really doesn't have a lot to do with how her team has dominated us. I do respect what she has accomplished as and readily agree she is a good coach. I just don't care for her personality. The seemingly permanent offended look and constant whining. Can't argue with her success but still...

Them somehow finding a way to win tonight could open a door for us but also could be double edged sword. It would also open up the possibility of them repeating as both SEC and NC which I would hate worse than uconn winning it all.

 

[thekimmer]

If SC can survive the storm in the first 10 minutes they might have a chance. UCONN is like early Mike Tyson. They bring everything they've got in the first five minutes and before you know it you're down 15 or 20 and the fight is over. We turned the tables on them last year and managed to hang on till the finish.

LOL. Good analogy except this season I can find just one team that has survived the first five and they still lost. A quick knockout strategy also does not portend well for our MO as a slow starter this season.

 

[thekimmer]

SC’s only chance is for UConn to have a game like we had in the SEC title game where absolutely nothing will fall, even from open looks.

I still expect UConn to win, probably by double digits.

True. The question is, does uconn have a game like that in them?

 

[patdog]

Them somehow finding a way to win tonight could open a door for us but also could be double edged sword. It would also open up the possibility of them repeating as both SEC and NC which I would hate worse than uconn winning it all.

They won't repeat as SEC champs. WE are the SEC champions this year. They only won the tournament, which is virtually meaningless. ​

 

[TBone.sixpack]

I tried to say the same thing here and got shouted down that only State fans would remember the regular season title but EVERYONE will remember the SEC tourney champs.

Rolls eyes

 

[MSUDC11]

Does anybody remember who won the 2012 men’s SEC Tourney? No (it was Vandy, BTW). But everybody remembers Kentucky running the table in the regular season and then winning the national title.

 

[thekimmer]

They won't repeat as SEC champs. WE are the SEC champions this year. They only won the tournament, which is virtually meaningless. ​

Fair enough. Mistake acknowledged. Still would hate to see them win another natty though.

 

[patdog]

Me too. I'd rather UConn win it than USC. So, I'll be pulling for UConn tonight.

 

[Go Budaw]

While we wait to take on the redbirds, we can turn our attention to the other side of the bracket tonight.

Can Aja and the rest of the female male chickens do to the sled dogs what they did to us in music city? Probably not but dang it would be cool if they did.

Why would it be cool if they did? They are our nightmare matchup. 3-1 against us the last two years, including 2-0 in neutral site matchups. Have given us 50% of our losses over that time. I think I’d rather take my chances with UConn, honestly. Not that either choice is appealing though.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Seems to me Staley has toned it down a good bit,

since her litigation issue with the Missouri deal.

But I might be mistaken.

 

[SyonaraStanz]

Why would it be cool if they did? They are our nightmare matchup. 3-1 against us the last two years, including 2-0 in neutral site matchups. Have given us 50% of our losses over that time. I think I’d rather take my chances with UConn, honestly. Not that either choice is appealing though.

I agree. I think SC is in our team's heads. We always play like **** against them. Our last time against UConn, we won, so I think they're more confident against UConn.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

Would not be good argument for her case to be stomping around acting a fool.

 

[mstatefan91]

I just plan to enjoy it tonight.. My sneaking suspicion is that UCONN wins easily

 

[thekimmer]

Why would it be cool if they did? They are our nightmare matchup. 3-1 against us the last two years, including 2-0 in neutral site matchups. Have given us 50% of our losses over that time. I think I’d rather take my chances with UConn, honestly. Not that either choice is appealing though.

I hear you but I think you have to look at it from this angle. Not taking louisville for granted but if we had to face Uconn they are going to be extra motivated to settle the score for last year. On the other hand if we faced USC we would be the ones with that motivation. I am not playing and thus do not matter, but I just personally believe we have a way better shot to beat USC than Uconn.

I'll bet ESPN is hoping for a uconn/state rematch in the title game.

Ultimately it does not matter because there is nothing we can do to influence either outcome by sitting in the recliner watching on TV.

Ultimately, what I hope for is that even if they lose, USC will play an uber competitive game against uconn and knock some of the swagger out of them.

 

[Go Budaw]

I don't care how it is accomplished as long as it doesn't involve loss of life or limb. USC kind of backed into one last year after we took out uconn and essentially ourselves in the process and I would be more than happy to get that too!

Again, they are completely different situations. We played UConn, went to OT in probably the most emotionally draining game in MSU history, and then had to turn around less than 48 hours later and play for the national title. If USC beats UConn tonight, they will have 4 whole days rest, another game against Oregon or Notre Dame (ND most likely), then 2 more days rest, then the NC game. Basically, they would have plenty of time to physically and emotionally recover. It’s not even remotely the same as what we dealt with. The only possible team that could be in our shoes is ND or Oregon if they beat UConn in the Final 4. And that is our absolute best case scenario. It won’t be the same if they knock off USC, but that wouldn’t be bad either.

 

[Drebin]

Not that I necessarily want UConn, but I hate USCe and want them to get embarrassed like a kid who loses his swimsuit on the highdive.

I agree with the sentiment, but I wouldn't be assuming anything from our perspective. Louisville's damn good and that game is going to be a tough out. They have two losses all year...one of which was a 10 point loss to Uconn.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I just plan to enjoy it tonight.. My sneaking suspicion is that UCONN wins easily

I agree.

The only way you can beat UConn is to play lights out on defense, outrebound them and then be able to score against their defense.

It may sound like I have maroon colored glasses but I think either Louisville or MSU has the best chance to beat UConn on a neutral court, with MSU having the better chance because we can really put the clamps down on defense and we also have more depth, so we can do it the entire game.

That being said, I am worried about how we match up with Louisville. We HAVE to have a big game from T and Victoria both and find a way to stop them from going on big scoring runs. It will be good prep for UConn if we can get pass them.

 

[Go Budaw]

I hear you but I think you have to look at it from this angle. Not taking louisville for granted but if we had to face Uconn they are going to be extra motivated to settle the score for last year. On the other hand if we faced USC we would be the ones with that motivation. I am not playing and thus do not matter, but I just personally believe we have a way better shot to beat USC than Uconn.

I'll bet ESPN is hoping for a uconn/state rematch in the title game.

Ultimately it does not matter because there is nothing we can do to influence either outcome by sitting in the recliner watching on TV.

Ultimately, what I hope for is that even if they lose, USC will play an uber competitive game against uconn and knock some of the swagger out of them.

If we play UConn, they won’t need any extra motivation from last year. It’s the national title game. We’re getting their A-game regardless of whether they beat us by 60 last year or we beat them. Geno is 10-0 in those situations over his career, so it’s not like they are going to be unprepared. It all boils down to matchups. USC is a team that is essentially custom made to beat us. They have the one post player in the country who can completely overwhelm McCowan and the length at guard to keep Mo from doing much of anything (she has always played terribly against them). UConn can’t matchup with T and our guards are quick enough to stay with theirs for the most part. So it all boils down to can we create turnovers and contest perimeter shots? If we can, we can beat them.

 

[Ranchdawg]

Did you forget about Nick Satan?

Dawn gets a lot of hate on here. I understand why, because more times than not she gets the best of us. But as she said yesterday, she has a different style. And she has been very complimentary of us and of course them. And quite honestly, I can tell she coaches for her team. And I respect that.

But I cannot root for Geno. He is absolutely the cockiest a hole I have seen in sports. If you saw the tidbit of him basically bragging about his domination of SC, I just don't get what the point of it was. He doesn't give credit to the other team. He talks about how great he and his team are.... No I'm not saying he doesn't have the right to, but that doesn't mean I have to like him.

SC is a fun rivalry we have. And I'm glad to have it. With that being said I know a bunch of SC fans were rooting for us to knock off UConn so they wouldn't have to play them. So I'll return the favor and root for them. Yes they defeated us this year. But if we shot that poorly against UCLA as we did against SC in that SECT Final, UCLA beats us by double digits easily. You cannot have an off night in the NCAAT and expect to win.

I know everyone is looking at the future, but let me just close and say Louisville is the best team this team has faced this year and they will be a challenge. Yes it is funny we are playing them once again in the Postseason, but they only have 2 losses and are ACC Regular and Tournament Champions. This team is either #2 or #3 in the country with us. Friday will prove which is worthy for the National Championship and I look forward to it. The one positive is that Louisville has no one that can matchup with McCowan. And that is why I'm glad Louisville is here and not Baylor.

He holds that award for A-hole (Capital Alabama A) in the world.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

Who gives a sh_t? It’s girls basketball. I’m dialed in to the boys NIT Finals. (I kid)

 

[thekimmer]

Again, they are completely different situations. We played UConn, went to OT in probably the most emotionally draining game in MSU history, and then had to turn around less than 48 hours later and play for the national title. If USC beats UConn tonight, they will have 4 whole days rest, another game against Oregon or Notre Dame (ND most likely), then 2 more days rest, then the NC game. Basically, they would have plenty of time to physically and emotionally recover. It’s not even remotely the same as what we dealt with. The only possible team that could be in our shoes is ND or Oregon if they beat UConn in the Final 4. And that is our absolute best case scenario. It won’t be the same if they knock off USC, but that wouldn’t be bad either.

Ok. The point is somebody needs to beat uconn before the final. They are a perfect 10-0 in the national final under geno. Zero runner-up trophies which means they get it dialed in once in the big game.

 

[blacklistedbully]

It is sometimes hard to predict what motivational factors can help or hinder a performance. For instance, sometimes being hyped-up helps you get locked-in and play with extra energy from the adrenaline-rush. But sometimes that hurts you, by causing you to get tight, or rush, or put just a little too much behind a shot, etc.

Those analysis are usually best done post-game, since it can literally go either way.

UConn is clearly the most talented overall, and has been the most dominating vs ranked opponents. But does a "revenge" matchup with us really help them, or might it have the opposite effect? Will they be more, "locked-in & determined" or will it put a little pressure on them they are not used to, afterall, how many times have the girls on their current roster gone into a game vs a team that beat them last time they played?

And how might it impact our young ladies? It could be that having UConn as the opponent might help us get locked in early. It could help us to come in as the underdog, with everyone talking about how UConn is going to avenge the loss, etc.

We really just don't know how each team will react with the added, "juice" a rematch would bring.

Purely as a fan of WBB and sports in general, a Buldogs/Husky rematch sounds like a helluva cool game to get to watch, and it would almost assuredly generate exponentially more coverage and interest internationally. Winning or at least staying competitive in a loss could do wonders for our program going forward, particularly in recruiting.

And I have a sense our young ladies, should they make a final vs UConn, will not be intimidated. Hell, they may even have a chip on their shoulders over all the talk of a UConn payback, or a strong desire to prove last year was not a fluke.

 

[RocketDawg]

If SC can survive the storm in the first 10 minutes they might have a chance. UCONN is like early Mike Tyson. They bring everything they've got in the first five minutes and before you know it you're down 15 or 20 and the fight is over. We turned the tables on them last year and managed to hang on till the finish.

We actually lightly dominated them last year. We were ahead the entire game except for a max of 3 points (I think) toward the end. Went to OT and UConn hardly scored in that period. Of course, we hardly did either, but we got 1 more than they did.

 

[RocketDawg]

Me too.

 

[fishwater99]

For the love of all men's sports, please tell me you guys aren't watching women's teams not named MSU play...

I tried to watch some of our game last night, made it through one quarter. No Dunks, so had to change the channel..

 

[BulldogBlitz]

For the love of all men's sports, please tell me you guys aren't watching women's teams not named MSU play...

I tried to watch some of our game last night, made it through one quarter. No Dunks, so had to change the channel..

I don't know which is better...leaving It to lay or to continue poking. Guess you want to poke.

 

[She Mate Me]

For the love of all men's sports, please tell me you guys aren't watching women's teams not named MSU play...

I tried to watch some of our game last night, made it through one quarter. No Dunks, so had to change the channel..

The constant BS about women's sports from you is not funny. I hope it's somehow helping your sanity. If not, I have a feeling 90% of us would rather you simply ignore discussions of women's sports.

 

[TBone.sixpack]

Blow out city

 

[RocketDawg]

Blow out city

30-12 at the quarter. But UConn can do better ... they scored 55 in the first quarter, 94 in the first half last week.