Thoughts on 2015/16 football schedules

The Big Ten released the 2015/16 schedules today, and my first reaction was that the MSU schedules are very similar to 2011/12.

Here's the 2015 Big Ten schedule for MSU:

Oct. 3 Michigan
Oct. 10 at Iowa
Oct. 17 at Ohio State
Oct. 24 Indiana
Oct. 31 at Nebraska
Nov. 7 Bye
Nov. 14 Penn State
Nov. 21 at Northwestern
Nov. 28 Minnesota

Here is 2016:

Oct. 1 at Michigan
Oct. 8 Iowa
Oct. 15 Ohio State
Oct. 22 at Indiana
Oct. 29 Nebraska
Nov. 5 Bye
Nov. 12 at Penn State
Nov. 19 Northwestern
Nov. 26 at Minnesota
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(Here are the 2012/13/14 schedules)

MSU will play the same teams these two seasons as they did/will in 2011/12, with Penn State (remember them?) replacing Wisconsin. Compared to 2013/14, MSU will replace Purdue/Illinois with Ohio State and Penn State. The Land Grant trophy will (presumably) be on the line for the first time in five years when MSU and PSU meet in East Lansing on Nov. 14, 2015. After this coming season, the #borderbattle with Wisconsin will go on hiatus for five years. I'm sure MSU is happy about that, but it will stop what was becoming a great rivalry.

A reminder: Indiana is MSU's permanent division-crossover game. You can just feel the rivalry hatred oozing out of the Old Brass Spittoon.

The other major point is that MSU will open up the Big Ten seasons with rival Michigan, which has to be considered a disappointment. In these two years, the game's meaning in the standings won't really be known until later in the season. Given how early it is in the season, could it possibly be a night game? I wouldn't plan on it.

Considering MSU will have nonconference games against Alabama, Oregon and Notre Dame over the two years, the first seven games of the season are going to be a real challenge. Games against Indiana and the MAC schools should help, but who knows how teams will look five years down the road.

As for the home/road difference, it is pretty balanced when you include the nonconference games.

Overall, the schedule looks quite difficult (if you go by current program standing), but it appears this is how the scheduling is going to be. For MSU, the 2011/12 schedules are really difficult, but the 2013/14 schedules are much easier. (Seriously, MSU could be a national championship contender in 2013).

Then again, if the ACC implodes and we get to four superconferences, none of this will matter. Tradition!

Big Ten announces men's hockey tournament sites

The Big Ten announces Thursday that St. Paul, Minn. and Detroit will rotate as hosts for the first four conference men's ice hockey tournaments. 

The 2014 and 2016 tournaments will be at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and the 2015 and 2017 tournaments will be at Joe Louis Arena.

The locations make sense, as Minnesota and Michigan are two of the top college hockey states and hockey in general. Michigan has "Hockeytown," while Minnesota declared itself as the "State of Hockey." With Penn State adding ice hockey as a Division I sport in 2013-14, the sport had enough sponsors to become part of the Big Ten. MSU, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio State are set to leave their current conferences and join the Big Ten, which has created tectonic shifts in the college hockey landscape. 

Here is the release from the Big Ten:

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Northwestern makes everyone sad, Purdue rolls along

(Bracket here)

It was a fitting way for Northwestern's dream to end: in heartbreaking fashion.

With its 75-68 overtime loss to Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, Northwestern's hopes of its first NCAA Tournament berth are gone. JerShon Cobb had 24 points and John Shurna had 21 for the Wildcats, but Drew Crawford shot 2-for-11 and seventh-seeded Northwestern was pounded on the glass.

Tenth-seeded Minnesota had 13 offensive rebounds and a 41-24 total rebound edge — and that was without seven-foot center Ralph Sampson III). Gopher guard Andre Hollins scored a career-high 25 points, and three other Gophers scored in double-figures. Minnesota advances to play Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Northwestern lost six games against Big Ten opponents by two points or less or in overtime this season — another season that will come up short.

In the final Thursday game, sixth-seeded Purdue shot 56 percent en route to an easy 79-61 win over 11th-seeded Nebraska. Anthony Johnson led Purdue with 17 points off the bench. Five Boilermakers scored in double-figures. Purdue has now won six of its last eight games and scored at least 74 points in six of those games. The Boilermakers advance to play Ohio State around 9 p.m. on Friday night.

Previewing the Big Ten tournament — Does MSU care?

(My preview originally appeared on Just Cover Blog) 

I am against the idea of conference tournaments. 

I think they devalue the role of the regular season, especially for mid-majors, where, in many cases, a team can win its regular season crown (by any margin), but has to win its conference tournament or else an NCAA tournament berth won't happen. For bigger conferences, the top teams have no incentive to play well, plus it always brings the chance of injury (Edit: I know it's about money, which is important for mid-major conferences).

That being said, I'm extremely excited for the Big Ten tournament to get underway on Thursday (bracket here). As a fan of basketball, and specifically Big Ten basketball, it's an incredibly fun event to attend. I recommend it for any Big Ten fan. (I'll be heading down Thursday night and covering MSU and Michigan for The Oakland Press)

This year, the conference was as good as ever. It was expected to be Ohio State head and shoulders above everyone else, but ended up with a three-way tie at the top with solid teams behind them. There really were four tiers of teams: The first being the three champions (Ohio State, Michigan State Michigan), the teams solidly in the tournament (Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue), the teams that are or were close to the bubble at one point (Northwestern, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa) and the bottom-feeders (Nebraska, Penn State). But everyone was vulnerable. Penn State beat Purdue, Nebraska beat Indiana and Iowa beat Michigan and Indiana, to name a few upsets.

This has shaped up to be perhaps the best Big Ten tournament since it began in 1998. Ohio State has the most titles (4), including the last two. Interestingly, only three seeds have an all-time record above .500: 1, 2 and 6. The No. 6 seed is 25-12 all-time in this tournament and go through some picks.

About that technical foul on Appling

When Keith Appling received a technical foul for hanging on the rim during Tuesday's, Twitter lit up.

Yes, it was a foul based on how officials are calling things, but is it a dumb rule?



According to the NCAA rule book: Players should not be permitted to hang on or grasp the basket ring in an  excessive, emphatic manner during dunks when there is no possibility of a resulting injury occurring. The intent of the rule does not permit a player to hold the ring and lift his or her body or legs, or in general, hang on or grasp the ring for emphasis. This is especially true for a player who dunks the ball on a breakaway or when no defender is nearby. Injuries, sometimes serious, can occur as a result of grasping/hanging on the ring. Game delays also result when damaged equipment must be fixed or replaced. When there is no obvious injury circumstance to be avoided by grasping/hanging on the ring, doing so in an emphatic matter is a (men) CLASS B and (women) Player/Substitute technical foul.

Thoughts on MSU's 66-61 win at Minnesota

(Box score here, best of #LawofGus tonight here)

We've spent all season saying how this team was different that last year's team. Well, Thursday night was almost an exact copy of last season.

One year ago, a dismal shooting performance in Minneapolis led to MSU trailing the Gophers 47-39 with 3:41 to go. But MSU rallied, Keith Appling hit some late free throws to give MSU the lead, and the Spartans won 53-48.

Thursday night, the Gophers led 58-52 with 3:25 to play, but the Spartans rallied down the stretch, Appling hit free throws to give MSU the lead, and MSU came away with a 66-61 victory.

Oh, and both games came on Feb. 22.



With the win, MSU (23-5 overall, 12-3 Big Ten) still controls its destiny in terms of an outright Big Ten title. Winning two of the final three games would guarantee at least a share of the title.

Thoughts on MSU's win vs. Minnesota, Izzo's 400th win

(Box score here)

You're not going to see Tom Izzo fight back tears too often.

As the final seconds ticked away Wednesday, Izzo was visibly teary-eyed on the bench. With Wednesday's 68-52 win over Minnesota, Izzo picked up his 400th win, becoming to fourth coach in Big Ten history to win 400 games with one school (Bob Knight, Gene Keady, Lou Henson). He said before the game that the number didn't mean much to him, but by the end, it clearly did.

"It's just a number, but I guess it's a milestone so I'll take it," Izzo said to Big Ten Network after the game.

(ESPN.com highlights)


Considering the Gophers are a tall team, getting one field goal out of your starting backcourt would appear to mean bad news. But MSU dominated the Gophers down low with a strength advantage. Draymond Green scored a game-high 22 points with 14 rebounds and six assists and the combination of Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Nix even had a breakaway dunk. It was glorious.

Former Lake Orion lineman Ruhland makes first start

The Spartans started the third different center of the season when for Lake Orion lineman Ethan Ruhland made his first collegiate start in place of injured Travis Jackson.

Here is my story on Ruhland, along with notes on Bennie Fowler and Trenton Robinson, who made the same amount of catches on different sides of the ball.

And if you haven't heard, the MSU-Iowa showdown will be played at noon on ESPN2. I feel bad for the media who will miss much of the game coming from San Diego for the Carrier Classic. Michigan-Illinois got the 3:30 p.m. slot on ABC, while Nebraska-Penn State will be on ESPN at noon. I don't get it either.

Video: Players talk Minnesota win

Thoughts on MSU's win vs. Minnesota

--Defense was uncharacteristically poor. MarQueis Gray's mobility was a bigger factor than any of the last three mobile QBs the Spartans faced. MSU didn't get great pressure, but Gray was about to get out of it when there was some.

Jerel Worthy had just two tackles, while William Gholston had 14. That's 29 in two games for Gholston. As Worthy said, that number of tackles for a lineman means he's either doing great at his job or trying to do other people's jobs. I think it's the former. I'm sure the line is excited to see a pocket passer next week at Iowa.

Darqueze Dennard was out with what sounded like some sort of concussion. Coaches said he could have played if it was an emergency. Tony Lippett played in his place. But it was Johnny Adams who was getting beat quite a bit. A rare off-day for him. The Spartans came into the game only giving up 127 passing yards per game, but Gray shredded them for 295. Iowa's James Vandenberg quietly has been very efficient this year and the secondary will have to play better.

--Kirk Cousins was solid. He had some bad decisions, but made quite a few NFL-type throws. He also showed a lot more emotion than we're used to, especially on his 15-yard penalty for spiking the ball after a false start penalty. He said earlier this week Nebraska turned their back on him and dared him to run, and he appeared to step up in the pocket more than usual Saturday. He finished with 296 yards passing and played better than he'll probably get credit for.

--Le'Veon Bell making his case as the No. 1 back. Edwin Baker fumbled on the opening play of a drive for the third time in four games. Suddenly he's having a hard time holding onto the ball. Bell finished with 96 yards on 15 carries and was solid again. If the O-Line isn't making holes, Bell does a good job of picked up three yards out of nothing. He's more elusive, while Baker tries to run over guys. The Spartans tried to get Baker back into the game in the second half, but I think you'll see Bell starting next week.

--Team battling through injuries. Travis Jackson and Larry Caper didn't play, both also with concussion-type injuries, and both also could have played, according to Dantonio. Chris Norman didn't play for the second straight week with a sprained shoulder. All should be good to go next week. Not sure if that was coachspeak or the coaches expected they wouldn't need them Saturday.

--Spartans control their own destiny. After Northwestern beat Nebraska in the battle for NU, the Spartans and Hawkeyes both control their own destiny now. A lot will be at stake next week.

Video: Dantonio talks about win over Minnesota

Working on stories. Thoughts later. Here's some of Dantonio's post-game presser.

'Remember, remember, the fifth of November'

Who didn't enjoy "V for Vendetta?"

The fifth of November 2011 begins a month the MSU football team is treating like a playoff. Win, and you keep playing for something big. Lose, and chances of going to Indianapolis for the B1G championship game are all but gone.

Here is my story on November being for contenders.

Notes and video from Dantonio presser

--First and foremost, Mark Dantonio expects everyone to be healthy come gametime after getting banged up last Saturday. Chris Norman had a sprained shoulder and Larry Caper and Travis Jackson left Saturday's game, but all should be good to go, although they might be slowed early in the week.

--Dantonio said he was not concerned with the offensive playcalling. Offensive coordinator Dan Roushar has come under fire a bit after some Nebraska players said MSU was predictable on offense. Roushar had a poorly-called game earlier in the year at Notre Dame and admitted as much, but with so much offensive firepower returning from a year ago, it seems MSU should be better than ninth in the Big Ten in total offense. But at the same time, they have played some good defenses, and Nebraska's played well Saturday.

--Minnesota's win over Iowa gives them, "instant credibility," according to Dantonio. The Gophers' ability to control the fourth quarter was a statement.

--Opponents have scored on their opening drive in three straight games. Dantonio said, "Maybe we should receive," with a grin. He said the no-huddle offenses of Michigan and Nebraska take game time to adjust to and he's been happy with how his defense has adjusted. As for the MSU offense, they have one touchdown and two turnovers in their last three opening drives.