Friday, November 21, 2014, 6:00 p.m.
Breslin Center, East Lansing, Mich.

Michigan State makes their 2014-15 home debut against the Ramblers on Friday after a close game to begin the season at Navy and an 81-71 neutral site loss to Duke on Tuesday night. Picked to finish third in the Big 10 preseason poll behind unanimous favorite Wisconsin and runner-up Ohio State, Tom Izzo’s squad seems to be struggling to find an identity after losing Adreian Payne (graduation/NBA) and Gary Harris (sophomore to the NBA).

Searching for an identity can also apply to the Ramblers, who won their opener against Division II Rockhurst by 13 points despite getting out-rebounded by double digits, and managed a 10-point win against Division II McKendree on Monday. The new-look Ramblers are much more athletic than last year’s team, but feature major holes and inexperience in the frontcourt that are likely to plague them all season. Loyola’s starting point guard Jeff White has not played yet this season and will almost certainly miss the game against Michigan State. Sophomore guard Milton Doyle has been handling much of the ball handling thus far into the season, which may affect his scoring-- especially against quality teams like MSU.

The Spartans are likely to start guards Bryn Forbes, Travis Trice, and Denzel Valentine. Trice is the senior leader, leading scorer and playmaker for the Spartans, averaging 20 ppg, 6.5 apg, and hitting 58% of his threes in the first two games. Six foot nine power forward Matt Costello and 6’6” wing Branden Dawson will start in the frontcourt. Dawson is leading the team in rebounds with 8.5 per game, and averages 15 ppg on 70% shooting from the field.

The majority of minutes off the bench will come from 6’6” freshman small forward Marvin Clark Jr., 6’9” sophomore power forward Gavin Schilling, and 5’10” freshman guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. Junior Colby Wollenman is another big body at 6’7”, 235 who may see significant time in case of foul trouble. Six foot four sophomore guard Alvin Ellis III, who started both exhibition games and the Navy game, might play after twisting an ankle three minutes into the opener at Navy and missing the game against Duke.

After struggling in a five-point win at Navy and never leading against Duke, Michigan State will probably view this game as a chance to assert themselves and gain confidence in a must-win home opener. Although Michigan State has looked shaky in their first two games during the regular season, they’ve out-rebounded their opponents by an average of nine per game—one of the particular weaknesses of the Ramblers. Loyola—playing without their starting point guard and serving as sacrificial lambs in a guarantee game-- would score a moral victory if they can hold their own deep into the first half and lose by less than 18 points.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 120aaa.pdf

Michigan State game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/msu ... 120aaa.pdf

TV: Big Ten Network

Vegas Line: MSU by 23

Great previews! Can you post a prediction at the end? Eg. Ramblermania pick: MSU: xx LU:xx

There are so many variables and unknowns at work, I could probably do that all season and never once hit it exactly. I'd be real lucky if I got the margin of victory exactly right two or three times.

Just for kicks, I'll give it a shot. And if I get it right, I'll add a prediction for the rest of the season.

Ramblermania prediction: MSU 92, LU 60

Note: MSU beat St. Cloud State 101-46 in an exhibition game. St. Cloud's Jon Averkamp (Ben's brother) had five points, three rebounds and a block in 12 minutes.

First !! Props to IZZO a fine Coach and class act , as always !

JCT makes a fine report except it does beg the question--Will our guys not improve the rebounding ?? I say they will as the season goes along. We are NOT tall of course BUT we have as tough a team as I have seen in years.

Spartans are a fine Big 14 team--at home--

Brot says Milton and the gang will do well ----say MSU 85--LUC 71 !!

BTW , no way will IZZO allow his guys to run up the score as did N Car some years ago

Maybe Izzo can give our team a pep talk and motivate us to be better:

http://detroitsportsnation.com/college- ... nge/17404/

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Cigarboy sucks!

Great link, Go.

Less widely reported was that Izzo also criticized the St. Cloud State cheerleaders, telling them to get their "Kardashian butts" to the gym to work off some of the flab.

Also, can someone get this damn song out of my head, please?


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Tum Tum is the childhood nickname for Lourawls Nairn, MSU's freshman point guard and the source of JCT's earworm.

Interestingly, Tum Tum went to Sunrise Christian, where Roosevelt Smart matriculates.



GoRamblers had a similar childhood nickname, only his began with a "D.

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Cigarboy sucks!