Let's talk Michigan St.

[cuzimacardfan]

Has anybody watched them play? What do you predict and what do you want to see?

The couple times I saw them I thought that they could be considered at the best team in the country. Very deserving of their ranking. Every team wishes they had a guy like Valentine on their team.

I don't know what to expect at all. I think this game will help my expectations in future games. Going to be tough to get a win on the road against a team with a great coach and who has his team playing in late season form.

I want the win but either way I want the guys to learn and be competitive. How we do in March is the main thing.

But I really want this win.

 

[shadow force]

This would be a huge win, especially early in the season, for the Cards. I agree it should be a very difficult game to win on the road against a talented, well coached team.

I haven't really seen them play though so I don't really have too much to form an in depth opinion on them. Valentine is their key it seems but they seem to have some shooters and talent all around.

 

[Cardiotonic]

Has anybody watched them play? What do you predict and what do you want to see?

The couple times I saw them I thought that they could be considered at the best team in the country. Very deserving of their ranking. Every team wishes they had a guy like Valentine on their team.

I don't know what to expect at all. I think this game will help my expectations in future games. Going to be tough to get a win on the road against a team with a great coach and who has his team playing in late season form.

I want the win but either way I want the guys to learn and be competitive. How we do in March is the main thing.

But I really want this win.

Michigan State is ranked #3 in the country and beating them at their place will be a very tall order❗️

 

[nccardfan]

According to some, Michigan St and UK are the two best teams right now, in that order. Will be a great test, hope we beat them but may be too difficult a task for our young team.

Go Cards!

 

[TheRealVille]

I don't think they're as good as last year. They lost some key players off that team. Valentine is playing great but I've watched them twice so for and they look like a one man show. They have Valentine and the rest are role players. Costello and Forbes are experienced but not exactly all conference types. They have a nice freshman in Davis but he hasn't seen a front court like the Cards yet. Kansas, their biggest win does not have much of a front court.

They have a transfer in Harris but again none these players would be considered better than the Cards players. Only Valentine and he has had some issues with fouls. He had two quick ones against Providence last night and had to sit the first half. Don't think MSU can get away with that against the Cards. Providence has only one post presence and he scored 20 points against the Spartans.

The game being on the road is the Cards biggest obstacle. I'm sure MSU will have the advantage with the calls I think the Cards can win this game and I don't think it would be shocking if they did. As much as everyone who's touting how good MSU is, there's the same who don't think the Cards are as good. I think the Cards are better than what most believe and I think MSU is not as good as many think they are. I know I'm biased but I would truthfully rather have the roster the Cards have than MSU.

My early prediction is,

MSU 72
Cards 69

But a rematch in March would be very different.

 

[KerryRhodes]

In the last 3 meetings , the underdog has won.

 

[Cue Card]

Valentine will be a match up nightmare for everyone this year. MSU plays B1G style basketball. MSU will be physical. MSU will not quit. Tom Izzo is a great coach and beating his team on their floor 6 games in with as many new players UofL has is going to be extremely difficult to do.

I don't expect the Cardinals to win to be honest. I do expect the Cardinals to play hard and compete regardless. As long as they do that, I really don't care what the final score is. If the Cards compete with one of the best teams in college basketball 6 games in to the season, I'll be satisfied.

 

[cousinofsparty]

Guys, looking for a great game.

I'm curious , could you give me an idea of your team this year? Especially pg and bigs.

Thanks

 

[TheRealVille]

Guys, looking for a great game.

I'm curious , could you give me an idea of your team this year? Especially pg and bigs.

Thanks

Bigs are deep with this team. Onuaku, Mathiang and Spalding are all 6'10. All three are shot blockers. Onuaku, a sophomore is strong and is our best post player. Mathiang, a junior, is quicker and can run the court, rebound and block shots. He had a double double last game against St. Louis. Spalding is a freshman but he glides across the court and looks to be a star in the making. He had 18 and 12 a few games ago against North Florida.

Then there's sophomore Jaylon Johnson who is 6'9. He backed up Montrezl Harrell last year and was playing his best ball at the end of the season. He's a good rebounder with a nice touch from mid range. He's kinda been lost in the shuffle due to others good play. And finally, there's the 7'0 sophomore from Egypt Anas Mahmoud who is only 210 pounds. He has perimeter skills and has made great strides this season. He blocks shots but can be pushed around inside. Many Cards fans are hoping he's another Frank Kaminski who was a bench warmer his first two seasons at Wisconsin. Anas has similar attributes and supposedly makes 3 pointers in practice. He hasn't shot one so far this season. And for good measure, we have another 7 footer in Matz Stockman. A big burly sophomore who has seen little action.

The Cards are deeper in the front court than any team I can remember. There's no lottery pick but all are young and are learning while playing.

The PG is a combo of 5th year graduate Trey Lewis, at 6'2 and 6'1 sophomore Quintin Snider. Lewis played at Cleveland State last season and shot 42 percent from 3 pt range. He's a great leader and had 22 points against St. Louis. Snider is a local kid who took over last season after Chris Jones was dismissed. He has an improved 3 pt shot and is our 3rd leading scorer at 10 points a game and assist leader at a little over 4 a game. He has 24 assists and only 9 TO's.

This Cardinal team has shown great chemistry early in the season. Although not against a great schedule, you can see the teamwork and great team play we often didn't see in last years team. A team as you know was a game away from the final 4. Our leading scorer is 6'6 graduate transfer Damion Lee who is a player all fans would love to have on their team. Not only can he play, he's a great leader on the court and a team player all the way. Our best freshman is 6'3 guard Donovan Mitchell who looks like he's about to break out any game now. Very much like Terry Rozier as a freshman but a little stronger. And we also have another top freshman in 6'7 Deng Adel who will miss the MSU game with a knee injury. A lot was expected from him and he should be back by ACC play.

This is as a complete team Louisville has had since the 2013 championship team. We're going to take some lumps as all teams do, but once March starts watch out for Louisville. I like our chances against you guys. I know Kansas is your big win but I believe Louisville will be the most talented team the Spartans will have faced so far.

 

[LockdownCard]

They are the best team in the country.

 

[cardsfan53]

Valentine IMO is the best all around and most versatile player in the country. Much like Draymond Green when he was at Mich State. As with everytime we meet it will be a good game, be tough to beat them at home. I like this team and how they are playing.

 

[cuzimacardfan]

Guys, looking for a great game.

I'm curious , could you give me an idea of your team this year? Especially pg and bigs.

Thanks

Mr. Izzo, you need to do your own scouting. haha JK

Thanks for stopping by. Much respect to your coach and your program.

 

[poppycat]

According to some, Michigan St and UK are the two best teams right now, in that order. Will be a great test, hope we beat them but may be too difficult a task for our young team.

Go Cards!

You have them reversed, but I respect your opinion.

 

[WestCoastRoses]

Michigan State isn't a very big team at this point in the season with their starting center, Gavin Schilling, still out with turf toe. So Louisville's size could definitely give them fits. Right now MSU starts:

PG. Lourawls Tum Tum Nairn Jr, 5'10"
SG. Bryn Forbes, 6'3"
PF. (Point Forward) Denzel Valentine, 6'6"
PF. Javon Bess, 6'6"
CT. Matt Costello, 6'9"

So clearly not a ton of size there. Tum Tum won't shoot much, but he is probably the fastest player you'll see all season. Forbes is an elite shooter @ 50%+ from three. You cannot leave him open. Valentine is well, you know...a walking triple double threat who shoots 40+% from three. He plays a lot of PG for MSU. Bess is a sophomore and is kind of a jack of all trades garbage man type. Not a great shooter but will rebound and slash to the bucket and draw fouls. He had 12 attempts a few games ago and knocked down 9 of them. Costello is a strong post defender who is nifty around the bucket and has a decent turn around hook shot.

Bench wise, MSU goes 10-12 deep.

Matt McQuaid, 6'5" PG/SG. 50% shooter from deep.
Eron Harris, 6'4" SG. Averaged 17ppg at West Virginia. Just now rounding into form at MSU.
Deyonta Davis, 6'10" PF/C Athlete, shot-blocker, dunker, great low post turn around game. Possible one-and-done according to some NBA draft niks.
Marvin Clark, 6'7" PF Branden Dawson-light. Great athlete, banger, rebounder but can shoot some too. Offseason injury has slowed his production early.
Kenny Goins, 6'7" PF Athlete, can run the floor. Will take the 10-15 foot jumper if you give it to him. Won't do much else though.
Colby Wollenman, 6'9" PF/C. Utility big man. Not asked to do much except defend and don't turn the ball over.

 

[Louisville JD]

Guaranteed if we meet in the tourney Deng Adel will be guarding Valentine. He's the Cards strongest and most athletic player and just a Freshman. So remember this warning come tourney time before you throw a few shackles down on your Spartans vs. the Cards. I believe we're deeper, more efficient and will be finely tuned by March compared to last Elite 8 battle when Pitino had one arm behind his back.... Little depth to press.
Now me I will be throwing a few sheckles down on your Spartans to win the cfb title. Good luck taking down Iowa and winning 2 games in the F4

 

[Senore2006]

MSU will need Davis. This could be a game he gets minutes. We are real tall, lol. It's like this most unusual Louisville team but a creative mix so far.

 

[WestCoastRoses]

If MSU's bigs get into foul trouble, with Schilling out, it could be a long night for MSU. Davis is definitely going to play a lot tonight. He's only been averaging around 18 a game so far this season but that might jump up a few tonight.

 

[earsky]

The Cards have several guys that have competed against championship caliber competition,and I would include Lewis and Lee,despite the fact that their competition against conference foes might not have been.

They won't be in awe,whether or not they can keep MSU off the offensive glass,deny dribble penetration,or shoot straight.