The Michigan State Spartans Topic

NameYr.Pos.FlexMotionTriangleFastbreakManZonePress
James EmerySr.PGD-D-A+C-BAC-
Charles NorrisFr.PGD-D+B+D-D+B+D-
Matthew SykesJr.SGD-D-A+D-BA-D-
Jesse BelzSo.SGD-D-A-D-DB+D-
Brandon MayfieldSr.SFD-D-A+D-BAD+
John WeldonSr.SFD-CAD-BA-D+
Lewis GaleFr.SFFC+B-FC-B-D
Steven CroyleJr.PFDD-A-D-C+AC-
Bill CopelandSr.CD-C-A+D-B+AC-
Tyler BrewerSo.CD-DB+D-D-B+C-
Adam StringerSo.CD-D-B+D+D-A-D-
Patrick FosdickFr.CFD+B-FCB-D+
-------------

Montana has a poor assist-to-turnover ratio, so having a fullcourt press team against them is a good thing. They also don't shoot much from behind the arc, meaning that a packed in defense is probably the way to go.

This looks like a good matchup for Michigan State, but you never know what will happen with the Random Number Generator. I'd give MSU an 80% chance of winning this game. There is still that last 20%.
10/17/2009 10:41 AM
Montana 26-6, 14-2
STARTERSMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Bill Copeland, c140-10-00-011010000
Steven Croyle, pf192-80-04-638122208
John Weldon, sf233-101-41-101121028
Matthew Sykes, sg201-71-43-404030036
James Emery, pg230-00-01-212230001
BENCHMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Jesse Belz, sg204-61-12-2011100211
Adam Stringer, c192-30-02-414011116
Tyler Brewer, c172-30-04-417020008
Charles Norris, pg170-10-00-002241030
Brandon Mayfield, sf112-30-00-000030004
Patrick Fosdick, c100-00-02-202000112
Lewis Gale, sf71-10-00-000101002
Totals20017-433-919-25732822641256
Percentages.395.333.760

Michigan St. 29-3, 15-1
STARTERSMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Christopher Warren, pf221-70-00-035012022
James Donahue, pf224-90-00-005012108
Frank Nelson, sf194-90-10-003212048
Armand Russo, sg235-113-60-0014110213
Dale Lacombe, pg225-83-42-2124220215
BENCHMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
John Childs, sg212-52-30-115321016
Gerald Branson, pf161-10-00-015000022
Colin Libby, pg162-30-01-211221015
John Robillard, pf131-10-00-012000122
William Hodges, sg111-41-35-712110008
Gary Peterkin, sf82-20-00-012110004
Edwin Skrzypinski, pf71-10-00-001000052
Totals20029-619-178-12103417121122175
Percentages.475.529.667
Montana lead by 7, early in the game, but then MSU turned it up offensively and defensively. At the half, MSU was ahead by 3. Montana went to a -4 and the starting guards for the Spartans went off.

From:Corey Napier
To:Coach colorblind79
Subject:And then there were 8...
Sent:10/18/2009 3:10AM

Coach, I don't care what your seed is, making the Elite 8 is a great accomplishment, glad to see you didn't take those guys too lightly. Good luck in the Elite 8!

Corey Napier
Athletic Director
Michigan State University
10/18/2009 8:24 AM
our next opponent, 3rd seeded Kansas:

NameYr.Pos.ASPDREBDEBLKLPPEBHPWESTDUFTTOT
David MiserSr.PG96991710016206799998699100A898
Phillip JohnsonJr.PG77982931220589595679652B-765
Steven PittmanSo.PG819769265829286619172C-771
Ted SloanJr.SG889621993328909695679498C905
James BagbyFr.SG8186209422807988657127C+695
Leo BondurantSr.SF9010074923058664939799854B+829
Marshall HickmanJr.SF917937945272724857498372C+806
Duane NuckollsFr.SF707574812271634050436888C+745
Robert CoutureSr.C7641999910099271943778952C+821
Andrew BoltonJr.C92589798929530131436494C795
David PetittSo.C7157899994911239646932C708
Christopher HarveyFr.C71559474899311150807888D784
Averages--827852934654545264658369-794
10/18/2009 8:37 AM
NameYr.Pos.FlexMotionTriangleFastbreakManZonePress
David MiserSr.PGD-AD-D-B-AA
Phillip JohnsonJr.PGD-A-D-DB-B+A-
Steven PittmanSo.PGD-B+D-D-B-B-B+
Ted SloanJr.SGD-A-D-CB-B+A-
James BagbyFr.SGFB-C-FB-D+C
Leo BondurantSr.SFD-A+C-D-B-A+A+
Marshall HickmanJr.SFD-A-D-D-B-B+A-
Duane NuckollsFr.SFCB-FFB-D+B-
Robert CoutureSr.CD-AC-D-B-A-A
Andrew BoltonJr.CDB+D-D-C+B+B+
David PetittSo.CD+BD-D-B-B-B+
Christopher HarveyFr.CFBFFBC-B-
------------

This is an interesting matchup because the Jayhawks match up well with the Spartans at the PG and SF slots, and can hypothetically keep up at the SG slot to some degree (they have a nice player, but Russo still has an advantage across the board). They have a disadvantage in the frontcourt, both in terms of quality and depth.

In terms of their overall statistical production, the Jayhawks seem to eschew the 3-point shot, for the most part, more than a typical, well-rounded team. They have a tendency to lose when they go cold from the 3-point line, so that may explain it...and they do go stone cold...like 0-for-13. I'd say a well rounded team would shoot a 3 pointer between 27% and 30% of their shots (with 3-centric teams getting up to and above 33%). The Jayhawks shoot them in 20.3% of their shots, while the Spartans shoot them in 28.7%.

Their assist-to-turnover ratio is 11.5 to 13.8, a definite area of weakness. In the majority of their 7 losses this year, they've faced a fullcourt or halfcourt press.

With that said, they've got an interesting defensive system, and will most likely be running an uptempo halfcourt press...probably, but not definitely man/press.

If I were calling the gameplan, I'd say a packed-in fullcourt press, with it being a gametime decision what tempo to use. I give the Spartans about a 65% chance of winning this game. My initial estimation was that it was a 50% tossup, but having looked at the team in depth, I see some soft spots.
10/18/2009 8:38 AM
Kansas 26-7, 11-5
STARTERSMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Robert Couture, c273-70-06-8290303012
Andrew Bolton, c201-30-01-216011013
Leo Bondurant, sf278-102-20-0140510318
Ted Sloan, sg285-90-31-2042330111
David Miser, pg281-100-34-412331026
BENCHMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Christopher Harvey, c173-30-00-039010116
David Petitt, c150-00-00-101001010
Marshall Hickman, sf132-30-00-025030114
Steven Pittman, pg121-31-20-012020003
Phillip Johnson, pg110-20-00-000300010
James Bagby, sg10-00-00-000000000
Duane Nuckolls, sf10-00-02-201000002
Totals20024-503-1014-191143821751165
Percentages.480.300.737

Michigan St. 29-4, 15-1
STARTERSMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
Christopher Warren, pf265-110-02-2470221412
James Donahue, pf181-30-00-027021122
Frank Nelson, sf203-81-22-222132009
Armand Russo, sg272-131-72-201311017
Dale Lacombe, pg272-91-50-013330025
BENCHMINFGM-AFGM3-AFTM-AOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
John Childs, sg183-61-40-012200027
Edwin Skrzypinski, pf181-60-00-013001002
William Hodges, sg133-63-40-000000019
Colin Libby, pg121-40-30-002421012
John Robillard, pf120-00-00-023000010
Gerald Branson, pf60-00-00-000010110
Gary Peterkin, sf30-00-00-000000010
Totals20021-667-256-613301314831655
Percentages.318.2801.000
Oh well, the 35% struck. Russo and Lacombe went stone cold, and the Spartans couldn't survive it. The bad matchup for us at SF also played a big role.

From:Corey Napier
To:Coach colorblind79
Subject:We're still proud!
Sent:10/19/2009 3:17AM

Coach, I know you're disappointed about the loss, especially after how well we played in the first 3 games of the tournament. Don't let it get you down. It was still a season that all of us will remember for a long time to come. I know the administration is really pleased with the direction you are taking the program.

Corey Napier
Athletic Director
Michigan State University
10/19/2009 6:23 AM
Quote: Originally Posted By colorblind79 on 4/12/2009
William Hodges
SG|6'4"|191 lbs.|3.3 GPA
Mahomet-Seymour HS|Mahomet, IL
SG
659
Athleticism63
Speed80
Rebounding17
Defense77
Shot Blocking12
Low-post17
Perimeter72
Ball Handling62
Passing67
Work Ethic54
Stamina71
Durability67
Previous Season Stats
GPMPGPPGRPGFG%FG3%FT%APGSPGBPG
232618.12.042.742.261.32.61.21.2
Current
Rating
PotentialCurrent
Rating
Potential
Athleticism63HighPerimeter72High
Speed80LowBall Handling62Average
Rebounding17LowPassing67Average
Defense77HighStamina71High
Shot Blocking12LowDurability67High
Low-post17LowFT ShootingAverage
#22 SG, #128 Overall, ***; no promises. William Hodges will be a perfectly good backup SG. No more, no less.
Hodges turned into the best truly pure shooter I've ever seen in this game. He was a great backup to Russo.
10/19/2009 6:46 AM
SG
811
Athleticism88
Speed81
Rebounding18
Defense97
1
Shot Blocking14
Low-post18
Perimeter99
2
Ball Handling80
Passing78
1
Work Ethic53
2
Stamina94
4
Durability91
1
FT ShootingC
Yr.GPGSMINFG%FG3%FT%OREBREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
3933012.8.460.412.6940.21.21.01.00.90.11.05.7
3831015.8.512.477.7190.21.21.51.10.80.00.87.9
372607.3.583.400.5000.20.40.50.20.50.00.31.4
362503.6.333.000.7500.00.30.20.20.10.00.40.3
Averages.493.439.6790.20.80.90.70.60.00.74.1
Yr.GPGSMINFGMFGAFG3MFG3AFTMFTAOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
393304236413935852536738343231232188
3831049085166531112332736453424124246
37260190142425612611146120936
3625090260434185430107
Totals115011931653359020557842193987670375477
This player has not won any awards.

---------

Team Records:

6th in 3pt%
10/19/2009 6:49 AM
Quote: Originally Posted By colorblind79 on 4/12/2009
Armand Russo
SG|6'2"|188 lbs.
Italian Junior National Team|Rome, Italy
SG
742
Athleticism76
Speed80
Rebounding28
Defense94
Shot Blocking12
Low-post34
Perimeter72
Ball Handling80
Passing73
Work Ethic48
Stamina69
Durability76
Previous Season Stats
GPMPGPPGRPGFG%FG3%FT%APGSPGBPG
252918.20.557.640.975.52.91.91.3
International therefore unranked, *****; no promises.Since he's foreign, Armand Russo couldn't be scouted. He looks very good right now, but there's no telling where the ceiling is for him. He could be a superstar and he could simply be a good player. We'll see soon.
[edit:]
Armand Russo:
athleticism: big upside
ball handling: big upside
durability: big upside
low post moves: limited upside
passing: big upside
perimeter shooting: big upside
shot blocking: limited upside
speed: big upside
stamina: big upside
WOW!!!!!!!!!
Can you say "Early Entry?"
Armand Russo is, simply put, the most talented player I have ever seen in HD. He should have won us a championship, particuarly with the talent that surrounded him.
10/19/2009 6:51 AM
Armand Russo
SG|Senior|6'2"|188 lbs.|3.3 gpa
Italian Junior National TeamRome, Italy|Recruited By: colorblind79
SG
951
Athleticism100
1
Speed100
1
Rebounding33
1
Defense99
Shot Blocking12
Low-post38
Perimeter99
Ball Handling99
1
Passing99
Work Ethic74
7
Stamina98
2
Durability100
1
FT ShootingB+
Yr.GPGSMINFG%FG3%FT%OREBREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
39333324.4.468.460.7030.72.32.52.21.60.01.612.0
38313121.1.461.409.7170.62.02.11.91.00.01.58.7
37292921.7.454.353.6830.51.82.41.61.10.01.68.3
3627016.5.430.364.7690.52.01.81.20.40.11.43.7
Averages.459.413.7090.62.02.21.71.10.01.58.4
Yr.GPGSMINFGMFGAFG3MFG3AFTMFTAOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
3933338051413016915045642477847154152396
38313165395206389343601861645832147271
37292962884185308543631452704532047241
362704453479123320261355493311339100
Totals1209325313547711493611512136924526720712951851008
This player has not won any awards.

---------

Team Records:

14th in steals, 9th in 3pt%

[edit:]

4.Milwaukee BucksArmand Russo 6'2", 188
SG - Michigan State University / Senior
10/19/2009 6:53 AM
Quote: Originally Posted By colorblind79 on 4/12/2009
Frank Nelson
SF|6'7"|207 lbs.|3.1 GPA
Bloomington South HS|Bloomington, IN
SF
672
Athleticism64
Speed54
Rebounding48
Defense94
Shot Blocking32
Low-post56
Perimeter56
Ball Handling60
Passing43
Work Ethic55
Stamina63
Durability47
Previous Season Stats
GPMPGPPGRPGFG%FG3%FT%APGSPGBPG
271813.23.847.437.781.31.10.11.9
Current
Rating
PotentialCurrent
Rating
Potential
Athleticism64HighPerimeter56Average
Speed54AverageBall Handling60Average
Rebounding48AveragePassing43Average
Defense94LowStamina63High
Shot Blocking32HighDurability47High
Low-post56AverageFT ShootingLow
#13 SF, #77 Overall, ****; no promises. Frank Nelson should be pretty good. I wouldn't say he'll be a star, because his speed is a bit low, but he can certainly develop for two years behind McLean and be a quality starter.
Speed did wind up being the limiting factor for Nelson - and probably the reason we lost this last game. Regardless, he was a very good starter for the Spartans.
10/19/2009 6:55 AM
Frank Nelson
SF|Senior|6'7"|207 lbs.|3.4 gpa
Bloomington South HSBloomington, IN|Recruited By: colorblind79
SF
897
Athleticism95
1
Speed71
1
Rebounding56
Defense99
Shot Blocking54
Low-post70
1
Perimeter75
Ball Handling73
Passing54
Work Ethic78
6
Stamina95
5
Durability77
1
FT ShootingA-
Yr.GPGSMINFG%FG3%FT%OREBREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
39333319.8.524.469.7931.23.21.01.51.30.21.57.8
38313121.7.393.318.7960.93.60.91.60.50.31.54.6
37292922.0.444.308.7541.03.01.01.60.60.31.77.1
3627015.4.513.500.7500.61.90.71.20.50.11.23.8
Averages.470.383.7780.93.00.91.50.80.21.55.9
Yr.GPGSMINFGMFGAFG3MFG3AFTMFTAOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
393333654991891532465840105324944650259
38313167446117722435427111274915848142
37292963776171123943573088294718948207
36270416407871415201652203214233102
Totals120932381261555411071471891133561081779125179710
This player has not won any awards.

-------

Team Records:

None.

[edit:]

48.Los Angeles LakersFrank Nelson 6'7", 207
SF - Michigan State University / Senior
10/19/2009 6:57 AM
Quote: Originally Posted By colorblind79 on 4/12/2009
Christopher Warren
PF|6'8"|221 lbs.|2.4 GPA
Goshen HS|Goshen, IN
PF
705
Athleticism68
Speed55
Rebounding74
Defense84
Shot Blocking71
Low-post74
Perimeter29
Ball Handling27
Passing32
Work Ethic62
Stamina80
Durability49
Previous Season Stats
GPMPGPPGRPGFG%FG3%FT%APGSPGBPG
212417.67.254.728.470.82.10.12.6
Current
Rating
PotentialCurrent
Rating
Potential
Athleticism68HighPerimeter29Average
Speed55AverageBall Handling27Low
Rebounding74HighPassing32Low
Defense84AverageStamina80Average
Shot Blocking71AverageDurability49High
Low-post74AverageFT ShootingLow
#10 PF, # 27 Overall, *****; no promises. I like Christopher Warren. I wish that he had somewhat higher potential in passing and FT shooting, but otherwise I'd say he's well set-up for the future. Should be a force
Warren was a very good player. It's amazing that we didn't win a championship with all of this talent.
10/19/2009 6:58 AM
Christopher Warren
PF|Senior|6'8"|221 lbs.|3.1 gpa
Goshen HSGoshen, IN|Recruited By: colorblind79
PF
895
Athleticism90
Speed72
Rebounding99
Defense99
Shot Blocking90
Low-post82
Perimeter44
3
Ball Handling32
2
Passing37
Work Ethic82
6
Stamina97
1
Durability71
FT ShootingC+
Yr.GPGSMINFG%FG3%FT%OREBREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
39333323.6.421.6721.86.00.20.81.21.32.06.9
38313122.9.449.7082.05.20.31.00.81.12.36.5
3729019.1.480.000.6791.74.20.40.80.90.81.16.2
3627018.3.360.000.7501.43.90.31.10.60.61.63.0
Averages.433.000.6921.74.90.30.90.91.01.85.8
Yr.GPGSMINFGMFGAFG3MFG3AFTMFTAOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
3933337789322100436461199727414465229
38313171175167005172621621031243570201
3729055472150023653481231124262232180
3627049436100019123710493115154481
Totals1206425372766380313920120858837113106116211691
This player has not won any awards.
--------

Team Records:
7th in blocks
[edit:]
7.Toronto RaptorsChristopher Warren 6'8", 221
PF - Michigan State University / Senior
10/19/2009 7:01 AM
Quote: Originally Posted By colorblind79 on 4/14/2009
Dale Lacombe
PG|Freshman|6'1"|189 lbs.|(2.75 HS gpa)
New Haven HSNew Haven, IN|Recruited By: colorblind79
PG
723
Athleticism54
Speed92
Rebounding14
Defense69
Shot Blocking17
Low-post1
Perimeter68
Ball Handling90
Passing91
Work Ethic57
Stamina76
Durability94
FT ShootingA-
A late recruiting battle win against Marquette, so I don't have the information on rank and potential, but I do remember that Dale LaCombe has high potential in athleticism and stamina and perimeter, and I think low in rebounding and average in defense. He should be a stud. Definitely a ***** player. I think he was ranked somewhere in the top 30. I know he was promised the start, so he should be a four-year starter, if he sticks around that long.

[edit:]

Dale Lacombe:
athleticism: big upside
perimeter shooting: big upside
rebounding: limited upside
shot blocking: limited upside
stamina: big upside

Lacombe developed very well and was as talented as could be hoped from a point guard, but somehow didn't produce that well, in terms of 3 pointers.
10/19/2009 7:02 AM
Dale Lacombe
PG|Senior|6'3"|189 lbs.|3.1 gpa
New Haven HSNew Haven, IN|Recruited By: colorblind79
PG
880
Athleticism79
1
Speed100
1
Rebounding16
Defense85
1
Shot Blocking21
1
Low-post1
Perimeter100
1
Ball Handling99
Passing99
Work Ethic81
6
Stamina100
1
Durability99
FT ShootingA
Yr.GPGSMINFG%FG3%FT%OREBREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
39333324.5.411.288.8310.52.13.12.21.00.12.09.5
38313123.5.464.389.7270.31.83.02.81.50.11.910.7
3729219.8.415.306.9090.51.62.71.50.90.01.45.1
36272717.2.641.450.8330.61.82.71.70.70.11.53.9
Averages.452.346.8150.51.82.92.11.00.11.77.5
Yr.GPGSMINFGMFGAFG3MFG3AFTMFTAOFFREBASTTOSTLBLKPFPTS
39333380710625836125647716681037132466312
383131730111239611574866955928746258331
3729257549118113640441545794327040149
362727465416492015181649744718241106
Totals120932577307679117338167205562173482481238205898
Conference Awards
Freshman of the Year

2nd Team All-Conference once

3rd Team All-Conference once
---------

Team Records:

10th in assists, 5th in FT%

[edit:]

25.San Antonio SpursDale Lacombe 6'3", 189
PG - Michigan State University / Senior
10/19/2009 7:04 AM
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