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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 12, 2023 19:46:50 GMT -5
The Spartans will play Arizona on Thanksgiving Day 2023 at a neutral site in Palm Springs. The game will be televised on Fox and air right after the Detroit Lions Turkey Day game, according to sources. I know what I'll be doing for about five hours on Thanksgiving Day.
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 13, 2023 16:03:22 GMT -5
Season Recap:
The bad news is the Spartans logged a double digit loss season for the third year in a row. That's the first time that has happened to the program since 2004. The good news is that the Spartans made the tournament for the 25th season in a row and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, defeating USC and 2 seed Marquette before falling to Kansas State in a classic tournament game.
The Spartans were inconsistent, in part due to injuries, and partly due to another tough schedule. The Spartans opened the season with a game against Northern Arizona, but then took on Gonzaga, Kentucky, Villanova, Alabama, and Oregon in succession.
Tyson Walker led a balanced offensive attack for MSU, averaging just under 15 per game. Joey Hauser finally started living up to the hype he got when he arrived on campus, scoring 14 per game and hitting 46% from three. AJ Hoggard continued his steady improvement, putting up 13 points, 4 boards, and six assists. Jaden Akins made a nice jump in his sophomore year, scoring ten points per game.
The Spartans are bringing back a solid core of players, including the unexpected returns of Malik Hall and Tyson Walker. Big man Sissoko will be back. Freshmen Cooper, Kohler, and Holman all got valuable experience. The Spartans class of 2023 is ranked #3 in the nation by more than one service. Chemistry and fit will be a concern, but expect the Spartans to be ranked in the top five in preseason polls.
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 20, 2023 16:56:59 GMT -5
The Spartans land class of 2024 commit #2 as forward Jess McCulloch committed to MSU. He picked the Green and White over his other finalists, Virginia Tech, Alabama, and Xavier. McCulloch is a four star recruited, rated #85 in the nation by 24/7 Sports.
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 29, 2023 18:41:42 GMT -5
Jaden Akins and AJ Hoggard have both put their names in the NBA draft process, while maintaining their eligibility. Conventional wisdom says both will be back with the Spartans next season, but you never know.
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Post by motorcitysam on May 31, 2023 11:59:51 GMT -5
Jaden Akins and AJ Hoggard have both put their names in the NBA draft process, while maintaining their eligibility. Conventional wisdom says both will be back with the Spartans next season, but you never know. Jaden and AJ both returning to the Spartans, as expected.
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Post by motorcitysam on Aug 30, 2023 16:02:28 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Sept 9, 2023 22:38:41 GMT -5
It's Grind Week for Michigan State basketball, the annual reunion for former Spartans players. The event includes social activities, scrimmages, practices with the current team, and other events. In recent years, the program has included a basketball camp for area Boys and Girls Club members. It's a big event, and attendees include players from as far back as the 1960s. MSU makes a big deal out of it, as they should. Some other schools, such as North Carolina, do similar things. Obviously, the Titans don't have the continuity at the head coach position that MSU and UNC have, but I do wish the University would attempt to connect with and celebrate former players. Even something as simple as an annual dinner inviting all former Titans back would be nice. www.mlive.com/spartans/2023/09/past-and-present-michigan-state-basketball-players-converge-for-teams-annual-grind-week.html
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Post by rbj on Sept 10, 2023 7:31:16 GMT -5
It's Grind Week for Michigan State basketball, the annual reunion for former Spartans players. The event includes social activities, scrimmages, practices with the current team, and other events. In recent years, the program has included a basketball camp for area Boys and Girls Club members. It's a big event, and attendees include players from as far back as the 1960s. MSU makes a big deal out of it, as they should. Some other schools, such as North Carolina, do similar things. Obviously, the Titans don't have the continuity at the head coach position that MSU and UNC have, but I do wish the University would attempt to connect with and celebrate former players. Even something as simple as an annual dinner inviting all former Titans back would be nice. www.mlive.com/spartans/2023/09/past-and-present-michigan-state-basketball-players-converge-for-teams-annual-grind-week.htmlIt would be great if the titans could do something similar, Bacari Alexander and Earl Cureton should put something together. Its much easier to sit in your office eating popcorn watching youtube and complain about Shiple being 75 years old.
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Post by larrytitan on Sept 10, 2023 9:21:41 GMT -5
I think Shiple was built in 1961.
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Post by motorcitysam on Sept 10, 2023 14:42:21 GMT -5
It's Grind Week for Michigan State basketball, the annual reunion for former Spartans players. The event includes social activities, scrimmages, practices with the current team, and other events. In recent years, the program has included a basketball camp for area Boys and Girls Club members. It's a big event, and attendees include players from as far back as the 1960s. MSU makes a big deal out of it, as they should. Some other schools, such as North Carolina, do similar things. Obviously, the Titans don't have the continuity at the head coach position that MSU and UNC have, but I do wish the University would attempt to connect with and celebrate former players. Even something as simple as an annual dinner inviting all former Titans back would be nice. www.mlive.com/spartans/2023/09/past-and-present-michigan-state-basketball-players-converge-for-teams-annual-grind-week.htmlIt would be great if the titans could do something similar, Bacari Alexander and Earl Cureton should put something together. Its much easier to sit in your office eating popcorn watching youtube and complain about Shiple being 75 years old. It really seems like there should be a group of employees within the athletic department that would spearhead that kind of effort, not dependent on who the coach is or expecting individual players to put it together. However, I am sure that Earl Cureton and BA would do well in that role, along with guys like Eli Holman. I doubt Willie Green has time to spend much time on organizing something like that, but it would be great to have his buy in. Seems like there would be an opportunity to partner with Desmond Ferguson and Moneyball. We probably couldn't pull off a week long event, like Grind Week, but a smaller reunion that ties in with Hoop Night at the D might work. Of course, if the University follows it's normal MO, they'd make Dick Vitale the focus and not even invite guys who are still around and span decades like Cookie, Rashad, McAdoo, Archie, etc.
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Post by motorcitysam on Sept 11, 2023 15:48:40 GMT -5
Michigan State and Baylor are reportedly finalizing an agreement to play December 16, 2023 at Little Caesars's Arena in Downtown Detroit. There's plenty of good news in that: It's a high profile even that will bring attention and revenue to downtown; it's great for the local basketball scene; it's a great opportunity for the Spartans to get a big win; and a national television audience will see one of the newer developments in the City, hopefully pushing back against the stereotypes we have to deal with.
On the other hand, it is a reminder that the University has totally failed to take advantage of having LCA just a short drive away. I'm not saying we should play our home games there, but I feel like it should have been us playing Michigan there last year instead of EMU. And I wonder if we have ever explored the opportunity of being the "opener" for a game like MSU/Baylor. Anyone (besides us on the board) ever float the idea of a game like Detroit vs Texas Southern serving as the "junior varsity" game when the Spartans and Bears tangle? I know we'd rather be the headliner, but like the saying goes, if you're not at the table you're on the menu. We need to find a way to at least get to the "kid's table" when events like this are happening.
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Post by Commissioner on Sept 11, 2023 16:04:40 GMT -5
Michigan State and Baylor are reportedly finalizing an agreement to play December 16, 2023 at Little Caesars's Arena in Downtown Detroit. There's plenty of good news in that: It's a high profile even that will bring attention and revenue to downtown; it's great for the local basketball scene; it's a great opportunity for the Spartans to get a big win; and a national television audience will see one of the newer developments in the City, hopefully pushing back against the stereotypes we have to deal with. On the other hand, it is a reminder that the University has totally failed to take advantage of having LCA just a short drive away. I'm not saying we should play our home games there, but I feel like it should have been us playing Michigan there last year instead of EMU. And I wonder if we have ever explored the opportunity of being the "opener" for a game like MSU/Baylor. Anyone (besides us on the board) ever float the idea of a game like Detroit vs Texas Southern serving as the "junior varsity" game when the Spartans and Bears tangle? I know we'd rather be the headliner, but like the saying goes, if you're not at the table you're on the menu. We need to find a way to at least get to the "kid's table" when events like this are happening. Or why not a UD/EMU or UD/Toledo game as the undercard?
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Post by ptctitan on Sept 11, 2023 18:01:20 GMT -5
It really seems like there should be a group of employees within the athletic department that would spearhead that kind of effort, not dependent on who the coach is or expecting individual players to put it together. However, I am sure that Earl Cureton and BA would do well in that role, along with guys like Eli Holman. I doubt Willie Green has time to spend much time on organizing something like that, but it would be great to have his buy in. Seems like there would be an opportunity to partner with Desmond Ferguson and Moneyball. We probably couldn't pull off a week long event, like Grind Week, but a smaller reunion that ties in with Hoop Night at the D might work. Of course, if the University follows it's normal MO, they'd make Dick Vitale the focus and not even invite guys who are still around and span decades like Cookie, Rashad, McAdoo, Archie, etc. There was a reunion on August 12th, the day after the golf outing, at which former players like Tom "Cookie" Marsh, Wilbert McCormick, Wilbur Ross, Kevin Kaseta, and many others came together with current coaches and players on campus for a picnic and other socializing. I disagree with your sam's opinion that the university has totally failed to take advantage of LCA. What advantage does LCA give us? Last year, EMU was the Emoni Bates game. Without him, LCA would not have been interested. Together with Oakland, we got the HL tournament at LCA for 3 or 4 years and it was a dud. LCA also has to be interested in us. We will be co-host with Oakland of an NCAA tournament regional at LCA this Spring. On one hand, many complain here about so few non-conference home games, then you want to move one of them to LCA? If we play at LCA, it should be against UM or MSU. Or some other power team willing to come to Detroit. This year, December 16th is a bad date given our game at LMU on the 18th.
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Post by motorcitysam on Sept 11, 2023 18:36:43 GMT -5
Michigan State and Baylor are reportedly finalizing an agreement to play December 16, 2023 at Little Caesars's Arena in Downtown Detroit. There's plenty of good news in that: It's a high profile even that will bring attention and revenue to downtown; it's great for the local basketball scene; it's a great opportunity for the Spartans to get a big win; and a national television audience will see one of the newer developments in the City, hopefully pushing back against the stereotypes we have to deal with. On the other hand, it is a reminder that the University has totally failed to take advantage of having LCA just a short drive away. I'm not saying we should play our home games there, but I feel like it should have been us playing Michigan there last year instead of EMU. And I wonder if we have ever explored the opportunity of being the "opener" for a game like MSU/Baylor. Anyone (besides us on the board) ever float the idea of a game like Detroit vs Texas Southern serving as the "junior varsity" game when the Spartans and Bears tangle? I know we'd rather be the headliner, but like the saying goes, if you're not at the table you're on the menu. We need to find a way to at least get to the "kid's table" when events like this are happening. Or why not a UD/EMU or UD/Toledo game as the undercard? Even better. I was just thinking of the State of Michigan vs State of Texas angle for the Varsity and Junior Varsity theme, but I'd certainly rather play EMU or Toledo on the undercard. One thing that I have learned from attending Toledo games at EMU and Detroit is that Rocket fans do travel.
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Post by motorcitysam on Sept 11, 2023 19:11:21 GMT -5
It really seems like there should be a group of employees within the athletic department that would spearhead that kind of effort, not dependent on who the coach is or expecting individual players to put it together. However, I am sure that Earl Cureton and BA would do well in that role, along with guys like Eli Holman. I doubt Willie Green has time to spend much time on organizing something like that, but it would be great to have his buy in. Seems like there would be an opportunity to partner with Desmond Ferguson and Moneyball. We probably couldn't pull off a week long event, like Grind Week, but a smaller reunion that ties in with Hoop Night at the D might work. Of course, if the University follows it's normal MO, they'd make Dick Vitale the focus and not even invite guys who are still around and span decades like Cookie, Rashad, McAdoo, Archie, etc. There was a reunion on August 12th, the day after the golf outing, at which former players like Tom "Cookie" Marsh, Wilbert McCormick, Wilbur Ross, Kevin Kaseta, and many others came together with current coaches and players on campus for a picnic and other socializing. I disagree with your sam's opinion that the university has totally failed to take advantage of LCA. What advantage does LCA give us? Last year, EMU was the Emoni Bates game. Without him, LCA would not have been interested. Together with Oakland, we got the HL tournament at LCA for 3 or 4 years and it was a dud. LCA also has to be interested in us. We will be co-host with Oakland of an NCAA tournament regional at LCA this Spring. On one hand, many complain here about so few non-conference home games, then you want to move one of them to LCA? If we play at LCA, it should be against UM or MSU. Or some other power team willing to come to Detroit. This year, December 16th is a bad date given our game at LMU on the 18th. I'm glad that a few former Titans were in attendance at the golf outing, but that in no way accomplishes, even on a small scale, what the goals of a dedicated Titan basketball reunion would be. Events like that at MSU and UNC are tied in with recruiting visits, team practices/scrimmages, and other on-campus events. It's a celebration of the program's history. A few former players as part of the attendees at a golf event that is off campus, not attended by recruits, and barely covered by the local media, is not comparable. I might have missed it, but did we even have an article on the website about the current and former players interacting? Or was it like a tree falling in the forest with no one around? As far as playing at the LCA, I'll say this with all due respect: your objections are right in line with the lack of forward thinking that the school has shown regarding the basketball program since the 1970s. If you don't think that playing some games at the premiere basketball facility in the state and the home of the local NBA team would be something on which the program could capitalize, I don't know what to tell you. I can tell you with certainty that the opportunity to play a few games at the home of the Detroit Pistons would resonate more with recruits that the chance to play on a floor named after Dick Vitale. It would at least be SOMETHING that we could sell to our recruits, something we could use to differentiate ourselves from the competition. We didn't lose HL tournament games because they were played at the LCA, we lost them because we had a bad team. If it was a dud, it was because we didn't field a good enough team to take advantage of playing conference games in our home town. And since you're asking about advantages, what advantage do we get from "co-hosting" an NCAA regional with the team from Oakland County? Maybe we'll get a block of tickets that the University can sell to Titan fans. Beyond that, what's our real benefit? I get that you are very protective of the program and that's fine. But there is nothing wrong with recognizing that there are things that we should be doing better.
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