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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Izzo on Valentine - Spartman82 spot on...

In February, Spartanman82 made sure we were aware of MSU recruit Denzel Valentine.

What does Izzo think? Here's M-Live...

Michigan State's Tom Izzo can't temper his enthusiam for Lansing Sexton's Denzel Valentine
Published: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 11:15 AM Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012, 11:36 AM

View full sizeMLive.com File PhotoLansing Sexton star Denzel Valentine is drawing some crazy comparisons when it comes to his passing ability. We'll find out if they're true beginning next season when the 6-6 point forward takes the floor at Michigan State.EAST LANSING — Somewhere wrapped inside Tom Izzo's monologue this week about incoming recruit Denzel Valentine, Michigan State's basketball coach dropped the line, "I don't want to put a lot of pressure on him, because you never know what's going to happen."

If only Izzo had taken a breath before continuing to gush about the 6-foot-6 Lansing Sexton prospect and cut down on the comparisons to Earvin, as in Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Among the Spartans' next class, there are more heralded and/or decorated prospects —McDonald's All-American guard Gary Harris and Michigan Mr. Basketball Matt Costello — but perhaps none more intriguing than Valentine.

He's an oversized point guard, known for his gifted passing, and just led a Lansing Public School to its second straight state title. There's some Magic in that.

"He sees the court as good as anybody I've had here, watching him in high school, anybody I've had here, as far as the passes he makes and the unselfishness he has." Izzo said of Valentine, the son of former Spartan Carlton Valentine. "There are a lot of guys that can make plays and make passes, and make other people better, but he can do it exactly when that guy needs it. Whether he's taking the ball out of bounds after the other team makes the basket, throwing it the length of the court. He doesn't need to make the spectacular pass. He can make the wraparound. Can he go behind his back, between his legs. He can do all those things, or he can make a real, simple, easy pass and enjoys both.

"I mean, I called Day‑Day (Draymond Geen) a miniature, miniature, miniature Magic in a lot of ways. But Denzel has a lot of those qualities that I used to see in films of Earvin because he's always got his head up. If you watch him play, his head is up from the minute he's about to get the ball — meaning, the ball goes through the basket, and he's already got his head up looking at where he's going to outlet the ball to. If he's got the ball in his hands, he sees everybody, everything, and can make a simple pass. He's big enough to see over people."

The question about Valentine is what position does he play in college? If he truly possesses Magic-like qualities, shouldn't he be a point guard? Some see him more on the wing for the Spartans, at least while Keith Appling is around.

Perhaps Michigan State's greatest attribute this past season was its unselfishness, and that began with Green at power forward and Derrick Nix at center as much as anywhere else on the floor.

"If you watched any of the Class A or Class B State Championship team, you've got to give Sexton a lot of credit for the unselfishness," Izzo said. "And it was led by their star, who I think will be coming here to be a very, very good player even as a freshman. That's Valentine. I've never seen a player that passed the ball and was as unselfish."

So much for tempering enthusiasm.

Monday, March 19, 2012

UM Football Continues Revolving Door

From the Ann Arbor News:

On Friday, Hoke answered more questions from the assembled media. Here is a recap of the hot topics, starting with the confirmation that center Rocko Khoury, punter George Morales, tailback Michael Cox and receiver Terrence Robinson are no longer with the team.

All four would have been fifth-year seniors, but plan to graduate in the spring with one year of eligiblity remaining. They'll be eligible to transfer and play immediately under the NCAA's postgraduate transfer program.

Backup linebacker Isaiah Bell also left the program, the university confirmed earlier this week.

Friday, March 16, 2012

chUMps get dUMped by Their Own Insult

chUMps coaches and players use the GREEN and WHITE of OHIO as an insult toward Ohio State.
OHIO turns disrespect back on chUMps by dUMping them in first chUMps game of Big Dance.

Can JB or The Hokemeister ever refer to The Ohio State University as OHIO again? What does it say about them if they stop? What does it say about them if their players and even professional coaches continue their childish game of refusing to refer to Big Ten Institution by their actual name?

Using a Mid American Conference Institution as a way to insult their rival reveals them for who they are; chUMps!

And OHIO has exposed them for all to see.

Once again however, they luck out. With Duke losing, the nation will be talking about Duke losing and the Missouri loss. It kind of reminds me of when Ed Martin died in jail along with all his dirty little secrets about the cheating chUMps basketball program.

Note: We, as fans, use "chUMps" on this site as a way to counter balance the illusion the Michigan media machine has created about their athletic program. We also use it a fun way of sparing with them. If ever the term catches hold among Spartan Nation, you will never hear MSU coaches or players use it when referring to the University of Michigan - let alone 100% of the time - all in unison, across multiple sports as if orchestrated in some way. OK, I know the OHIO thing was orchestrated. So what do they do now? Remind everyone of this game every time they do it or discontinue the practice, basically admitting they were being chUMps?

Pre-game Links (includes football)

A Beautiful Day for Football has changed to Shaw Lane Spartans and has been on fire with excellent and detailed posts. Their live feed is currently invalid, so it does not appear in the Link Resource at the bottom of the page. I have put in a request for repair. I'll you know when I add it.

[The links below are available everyday, updated real-time, in the Link Resource at the bottom of the site page. Those receiving auto-emails of posts do not see the other pages and features on the website until you go to BEATchUMps.com . The links at the bottom of the site open in a new window so you don't have to find you way back to the home page.]

LSJ BLOGS: HEY, JOE (REXRODE)
The turnaround - Friday, March 16, 2012 (recommended for Austin Thornton admirers)
NCAA chat at 11 - Friday, March 16, 2012
Blackbirds chirping? - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Down to 64 - Thursday, March 15, 2012
MSU's pro day - Thursday, March 15, 2012

GREEN AND WHITE FROM LSJ
Former MSU walk-on's persistence pays - Friday, March 16, 2012
MSU men's basketball: Trainer has had eventful first season - Friday, March 16, 2012
Drew Sharp: Nix's summer work set stage for Spartans - Friday, March 16, 2012
MSU wrestlers roll early in NCAA tournament - Friday, March 16, 2012
MSU men's basketball: Spartan Tipoff - Friday, March 16, 2012

MSU SPARTANS ON M-LIVE
LIU Brooklyn's Julian Boyd overcame heart condition, drawing comparisons to Spartans' Draymond Green heading into NCAA tournament - Friday, March 16, 2012
LIU Brooklyn's NCAA tournament experience has Michigan State's attention - Friday, March 16, 2012
Live Game Blog: Michigan State Spartans vs. LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds - Friday, March 16, 2012
Michigan State takes note of Syracuse's struggle to beat No. 16 seed UNC Asheville - Thursday, March 15, 2012
LIU Brooklyn star Julian Boyd says Blackbirds are better off as 16 seed playing Michigan State than as 15 facing Missouri - Thursday, March 15, 2012

FREEP.COM | MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Izzo expects Columbus fans to cheer for MSU - Friday, March 16, 2012
Recruiting: Spartans' offensive line prospects planning visits - Friday, March 16, 2012
Extra points: Quick facts on tonight's state games in the NCAA tournament - Friday, March 16, 2012
Steve Schrader: ESPN.com upset factor thinks Michigan may be at risk - Friday, March 16, 2012
Stats guru: A 16 seed will beat 1 seed in NCAA tournament soon - Friday, March 16, 2012

DETROIT NEWS | MSU SPARTANS
MSU's Draymond Green : 'I have to play better' - Friday, March 16, 2012
Preview: No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 16 LIU-Brooklyn - Friday, March 16, 2012
Top-seeded Michigan State hopes to elude history - Friday, March 16, 2012
Julian Boyd gives new life to LIU's program - Friday, March 16, 2012
Michigan State's Keith Appling dazzles with defense, decisions - Thursday, March 15, 2012

SPARTAN NATION BLOG
Spartan Nation Caught Up with MSU Legend, Robaire Smith - Friday, March 16, 2012
Great Michigan State Basketball Video from Here in Columbus: Watch Practice & Tom Izzo Talks in the Locker Room! - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Awesome MSU Football Pro Day Video: Watch the Workouts and Coach Dantonio’s Press Conference! - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Spartans Get Ready to Introduce LIU to Izzoball! - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Mark Dantonio’s 1st Commitment for 2013 Gerald Holmes brings Great Talent, Deep Character and Superb Work Ethic to Beast Lansing! - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

THE LITTLE BROTHER
Fourteen Spartans taking place in MSU’s pro day - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
MSU receives verbal from Texas offensive lineman - Tuesday, March 13, 2012
MSU tops Hoops & Helmets Rankings - Monday, March 12, 2012

THE ONLY COLORS BLOG
NCAA Tournament Open Thread: The Undercard - Friday, March 16, 2012
Preview -- Michigan State vs. Long Island -- Album Cuts, Thriller, and the Blackbirds - Friday, March 16, 2012
Your Thursday Evening NCAA Tournament Open Thread - Thursday, March 15, 2012
NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Afternoon Shift - Thursday, March 15, 2012
A pep talk from Mateen Cleaves to brighten your day - Thursday, March 15, 2012

HOOP, THERE IT IS!
MSU finishes up open practice - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Spartans rocking new shoes for Tourney - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Green: guard play important, Izzo's intensity rises - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

MSUSPARTANS.COM FOOTBALL NEWS
Spartan NFL Draft Prospects State Their Case At Pro Day - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Spartans Hold Annual Pro Day - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
MSU Recognized for Excellence in Promoting the Scholar-Athlete Ideal - Monday, March 12, 2012

MSUSPARTANS.COM MEN'S BASKETBALL NEWS
MSU Basketball NCAA Press Conference Transcript - Friday, March 16, 2012
Grinz On Green Blog: Thornton Elevates His Game - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Grinz On Green: Nix And Payne Provide Dynamic Duo - Thursday, March 15, 2012

BIG TEN NETWORK » MICHIGAN STATE
Tonight: Michigan State vs. LIU - Friday, March 16, 2012
Tourney Fever Heats Up With 3 More Games - Friday, March 16, 2012
Big Ten Geeks: NCAA Tournament – Friday/Sunday - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Journey: Watch segment & bonus clips from finale - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March Madness: B1G Football Uniform Bracket - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ESPN ON MSU
Video: Michigan State spring issues - Friday, March 16, 2012
What to watch for in Friday's games - Friday, March 16, 2012
Previewing Columbus: Evening games - Friday, March 16, 2012
W2W4: LIU Brooklyn-Michigan State - Thursday, March 15, 2012

THE ENLIGHTENED SPARTAN
Draymond Green needs National Title for legacy - Sunday, March 11, 2012
10 warm thoughts about MSU beating Ohio State and earning a #1 seed in the tourney - Sunday, March 11, 2012

THE STATE NEWS FOOTBALL
Football's recent success shows in Pro Day performances - Thursday, March 15, 2012
MSU prepares Worthy to advance to NFL - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Cousins, Spartans impress Wednesday at MSU Pro Day - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Nichol continues to push for NFL attention as draft approaches - Friday, March 16, 2012

THE STATE NEWS: MSU FOOTBALL BLOG
Kiper ranks MSU draft prospects - Thursday, March 15, 2012
Cousins meets with Steelers' Tomlin - Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sunday, March 11, 2012

MICHIGAN vs "OHIO STATE" IN NCAA OPENER

The Weasel Basketball team drew a four-seed in the Big Dance this week, earning the right to play the "Ohio State" Bobcats.

Many know the Bobcats as "Ohio", but at the University in Michigan, "Ohio" is the team from Columbus.

Brady Hoke has been calling OSU "Ohio" since he crawled across the country on his belly to land his dream job. More recently, John Belein has been calling the Buckeyes "Ohio", as if he can't read the league stationery on his own desk. It's reported that the UM AD has informally ratified the practice of referring to the only conference team from the State of Ohio as, "Ohio".

So naturally, in UM lingo, their opponent this week is, indeed, "Ohio State". Pay close attention to all interviews with UM officials to track their use of the words "Ohio State" when describing the Bobcats.



$10 DUMP the chUMps T-shirt Special During the NCAA Tournament

DUMP the chUMps T-Shirt
To celebrate the fact that the Spartans are the undisputed B1G CHAMPS and the chUMps are just, well... chUMps, T-shirts were $13.50 - Now $10.00 (and a free DUMP the chUMps button) until MSU is crowned champs or until both teams are out.


A fun gift for any Spartan Fan! If you are not a Spartan - that's OK There is not team reference on the shirt.


Wear your DUMP the chUMps shirt and hear the chuckles and snickers from passers-by. What an excellent gift for anyone whose second favorite team is the next team on the chUMps schedule. Everyone loves to hate the team representing The Evil Empire wearing their Blue and YELLOW pajama-looking costumes.
Michigan State University Spartans will love it and even those Walmart Wolverines will have to chuckle a bit.
Wear it anytime and anywhere - concerts, any sporting event or public place and you are guaranteed to get some funny looks and comments and LOTS of compliments. You know dozens of people who would really appreciate your dUMp the chUMps shirt gift. Other products (more shirts, mugs, caps, bumper stickers, window clings, flags, etc) yet to come. Exclusively available at E-Bay.
  • The Green and White, MSU Spartans version is pictured and available for order right away.
  • Possibly Scarlet and Gray, Ohio State version available in the future - send us message so we can see demand.
  • IMPORTANT - IF WE GET MORE ORDERS THAN WE HAVE SHIRTS ON HAND WE WILL MAKE MORE IMMEDIATELY. WE WILL COMMUNICATE TO YOU IF THIS DELAYS SHIPMENT.
  • SIZE: PLEASE INDICATE THE SIZE(S) YOU ARE ORDERING: S, M, L, XL. $2.00 UP-CHARGE FOR XS, XXL AND OTHER SIZE (These sizes will require special order - we will communicate shipping progress)

What's on the line? Kentucky.

What is on the line in today's B1G Championship Game? Everything that you've already heard, but maybe you have not heard this:
If Spartan earn a 1-seed, it guarantees that they will not have to got through Kentucky (or even Syracuse or UNC) to get to the Final Four.

We are a long way away form that, but it adds to the importance of today's game.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Spartan Human Interest Stories. Who Knew?

While Delvon Roe sits the bench Sunday waiting for his queue to go to center court and kisses the S - you might appreciate it more after reading this.

A Spartan senior will end his career with the last laugh and a degree. When 4-years old, experts told his parents that he would be able to finish high school and live just fine in a group home. He has a developmental stunting form of autism. Get to know this Spartan before his kisses the S.

When you see Draymond Green kiss the S on Sunday, it might mean more to you if you knew this about him.

The Spartan football staff's pay ranked #11 in Big Ten before recent raises. Dantonio springs huge gift to promote "family" in the program and loyalty to Michigan State.

Here is an update on the most important personnel issue for Spartan Football in 2012.