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Post by Rogobob77 on Dec 4, 2020 9:08:06 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 4, 2020 15:07:39 GMT -5
I am excited to get the season started, but MSU is one of the worst match ups we could have had for game one 2020. We've had limited practice and time together, no scrimmages against other teams, and delays to the opening. The Spartans have three games under their belt, are playing very well, and are a deep and veteran squad. And with the local media giving some sizzle to the game with their recap of Perry Watson over Tom Izzo, the Spartans likely won't be looking past us. Could be a rough one.
Go Titans.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 4, 2020 17:00:01 GMT -5
Starters:
Davis, Kuol, Johnson, Isiani, Fraser.
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Post by mooseguy1 on Dec 4, 2020 18:12:56 GMT -5
I am excited to get the season started, but MSU is one of the worst match ups we could have had for game one 2020. We've had limited practice and time together, no scrimmages against other teams, and delays to the opening. The Spartans have three games under their belt, are playing very well, and are a deep and veteran squad. And with the local media giving some sizzle to the game with their recap of Perry Watson over Tom Izzo, the Spartans likely won't be looking past us. Could be a rough one. Go Titans. All true, Sam. But I'm mega impressed so far. I really thought this one could get ugly fast. I want to be wrong so bad. You know my feelings on Tom Izzo.
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Post by ptctitan on Dec 4, 2020 19:09:04 GMT -5
We will be deeper up front once we get Brandon and Waterman able to play. Their absence forced us to play Bul and Willy longer than we should have. Then, we would have been able to stay in the game in the final minute.
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Post by upbasketballfan on Dec 4, 2020 19:15:46 GMT -5
We will be deeper up front once we get Brandon and Waterman able to play. Their absence forced us to play Bul and Willy longer than we should have. Then, we would have been able to stay in the game in the final minute. There were 4 50-50 calls in the last 5 min. and they all went to MSU. The two charges were against Willie and Bul and they were both bad calls and put us with no size inside for the finish of the game. Forced us to have to play Fraser inside at the 4. Fraser is a very nice player.
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Post by udballer on Dec 4, 2020 19:16:36 GMT -5
Game was absolutely winnable. Supporting cast looks very good. AD shouldn't have to shoot 26 times in a game this year. He still did, but he doesn't have to.
Team looked much better than what we've been watching... and without Brandon, who would have helped immensely today.
Every 50/50 call went MSU's way as well.
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Post by Commissioner on Dec 4, 2020 20:03:47 GMT -5
I'm really tired of "we played well" and moral wins. But for this game, I'll take it. After the last 4 years, it was good to the see the Titans extremely competitive with a Top 10 team. And that was with Brandon out, Waterman not yet in, and our star shooting 0-9 from three. Might the last minutes have been different if AD had hit just 2 of those attempts earlier in the game? I think he'll shoot better than 0% on the year.
Johnson and Fraser played extremely well. Their combined stat line was 31 points on 11-22 shooting, 5-5 from the line, 17 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Zounds! I feel encouraged for the first time in nearly two years (when the Titans opened league play 5-1). Bul was less accurate (5-16) but still chipped in with 12 points. Titans were perfect from the foul line. The biggest downside: we didn't win, but it was close enough that Izzo will be hesitant about giving us another game.
Allright, Taurean, where are you?
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Post by ptctitan on Dec 4, 2020 21:34:53 GMT -5
It was how we played the game that made a statement more than the score differential. Our guys played with an intensity not seen here in a long time. Hopefully, this continues Sunday at ND.
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Post by nctitan on Dec 4, 2020 21:51:03 GMT -5
We took 11 foul shots, MSU took 23.
Rebounds were about even 36 for us, 40 for them. Pretty good considering the size difference. Our guys definitely positioned better.
We had 12 turnovers, they have 17.
I'd like a rematch with our full team. I hope Izzo will play us again next season.
And I know this is never reliable, but MSU beat Duke by 10, beat us by 7. So we're three points better than the Blue Devils.
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Post by ptctitan on Dec 5, 2020 7:34:39 GMT -5
There were 4 50-50 calls in the last 5 min. and they all went to MSU. The two charges were against Willie and Bul and they were both bad calls and put us with no size inside for the finish of the game. Forced us to have to play Fraser inside at the 4. Fraser is a very nice player. Yes he is a very nice player. So are Kuol and Johnson. Fraser had a double-double. 11 pts and 12 rebounds. We played the last 3-4 minutes of the game without anyone over 6'5" on the floor. I think the officials are finding it difficult enforcing the wall rule. Some call 'em like they were before the rule. Thompson is a more of a project than I thought. But if we get Brandon back and Waterman eligible next week plus the new guy Koka, we will have depth inside.
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Post by larrytitan on Dec 5, 2020 8:24:38 GMT -5
Thompson only played one minute. Did he get the quick hook for anything in particular? Also, who is new guy Koka?
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Post by upbasketballfan on Dec 5, 2020 8:43:24 GMT -5
There were 4 50-50 calls in the last 5 min. and they all went to MSU. The two charges were against Willie and Bul and they were both bad calls and put us with no size inside for the finish of the game. Forced us to have to play Fraser inside at the 4. Fraser is a very nice player. Yes he is a very nice player. So are Kuol and Johnson. Fraser had a double-double. 11 pts and 12 rebounds. We played the last 3-4 minutes of the game without anyone over 6'5" on the floor. I think the officials are finding it difficult enforcing the wall rule. Some call 'em like they were before the rule. Thompson is a more of a project than I thought. But if we get Brandon back and Waterman eligible next week plus the new guy Koka, we will have depth inside. I will have to watch the game again. Thompson from what I saw was pulled more for lack of effort. It could have been confusion but having played at Syracuse I would think he would be well schooled in the zone. I'll have to check box score but Willie seemed to play a lot of minutes and did a nice job. Bul took their bigs off the dribble and looks to be a maximum effort guy. Brandon would have helped a lot. Looks like we have a good group of scrappers who play well off of each other.
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Post by motorcitysam on Dec 5, 2020 8:53:04 GMT -5
I was wrong about Thompson having an immediate impact, but my gut feeling that Johnson would help is right so far.
Thompson doesn't have to be Eli Holman for us (although that would be nice) but him giving us what NJ gave us during his senior year would go a long way towards helping.
I'm always wary about reading too much into the first game, but given the fact that we were playing a top team with lots of guys coming back and a three wins already, I am very encouraged by what I saw from the Titans.
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Post by titantarheel on Dec 5, 2020 9:00:10 GMT -5
I didn’t catch the game unfortunately, so am appreciating insights from those that did. Fox sports has a 5 min recap —> www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/michigan-state-fends-off-pesky-detroit-mercy-83-76-120420I couldn’t find a way to rewatch it anywhere so any tips also appreciated. Main thought - we need names on jerseys. All these new faces plus it inevitably helps fans get to know the team better/faster. I know some coaches are old school and say it only matters what front of jersey says but hey help a fan out.
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