I Do Not LIke The Hype!

I love Sparty and our progression but I do not like the exposure.  You can peak to early, we all know that.  If you read the article on the Five Stages of Izzo it hit the nail on the head for years in and out.  The Devils best lie was convincing everyone he did not exist. We are best as the Sneaky "Snakes"(H2S).  I like flying under the radar.  We do not need national gratification, save that for Dick Vitale and Duke.  I want to creep in and win a National Title with one of the best teams we have ever had.

I agree with you here.  There's a difference between hype and respect though. I am ok for MSU getting respect, but the way that ESPN, CBS, FOX, etc. sensationalize everything and hype everything up is too much.  I am with you in wanting to stay out of the spotlight and just get work done.  As for the article you pointed out, I read that and just about fell out of my chair laughing at it!  It is about as true as it could get in describing the 5 stages of Izzo.

hahaha.  Spartan Stealth Strategy. 

The whole cbb world knows MSU's runty little commander's resume...but...
year-in, year-out they discount it.
(I think, due to the annualized, hyped promise of other programs' killer recruiting classes...vs Izzo's quality, albeit mundane blue-collar, less glitzy teams.)

Many teams (Wisconsin immediately comes to mind) whine and beg for respect as they slog through "successful" season(s)...
still others (Michigan comes to mind here) cop glory ink during the regular season, believe the hype, don't improve and get stomped when things really matter.

One wonders (wet dreams stuff) what will happen if/when Izzo recruits, one of these years, a killer class of his own.

hiss green! 

All true. Don't disagree.

Still it would be nice as Nix pointed out to be able to watch a few highlights now and again. 

Flying under the radar is okay, but it has only allowed us to reach Final Four status in the years when that happens.  This is probably because Izzo is coaching a team to over-achieve to its talent level.  The two National Championships that we've won (and the Final Fours in their vicinity) were not under the radar.  Rather, the Magic and Cleaves titles were straight up, in-your-face, we're the best damn team in the country and we dare you to show us otherwise.  That's what I want.  Call it what you want, arrogance, overconfidence, whatever . . . if you don't believe you're the best, then you're probably not.

I am pro Big 10 so don't kill me but one of you brought up Nix.  In my heart I think it is a 60% chance you win this game but do you think Nix should have kept his mouth shut? 

While I dont particularly want to be the #1 team and put a big target on the teams back it is nice to get some recognition and they have earned it. Also with the world of recruiting today this will be a help in convincing some higher profile kids to think about MSU. That can only be a benefit as it is very difficult to win a title without at least 1-2 NBA quality players. They dont have to be lottery picks (probably better if they are not so they stick around) but talent and experience are the elements that ultimately help win championships. I dont see State going unbeaten down the stretch but if they can avoid bad losses and beat three of teh four ranked teams plus northwestern they should stay in the top 8 which would earn them a top 2 seed. The odds are better of making the S16 and FF if they come from those just due to the typical path of opponents. always want to avoid those 4, 5, 6 seeds that tend to be the hot mid majors and the good but not great teams from the power conferences. 
Go State! 

I don't think road losses to Ohio State and Michigan will hurt our chances of getting at least a #2 seed, truthfully.  To secure a #1, we'll need to finish no lower than 2nd in the Big Ten and perform well in the Big Ten tournament.

An outright conference championship would be nice.  Get that and I'd not weep if they lost their first game of the B1G tourney...rest them weary bones, recuperate and prepare for dancing with a respectable #2 or #3 seed.  I know that's wrong in so many ways (re: B1G tourney) but...what's to prove at that point?

Call it what you want,

SWAGGER

do you think Nix should have kept his mouth shut?

Yes and no.

If he had evaded the question, the media sharks would have smelled blood. That would not have been pretty.
He answered the question and explained his answer. It really was not a bunch of trash talk, although many are portraying it that way.    

IU is still NO. 1
MSU is now NO. 4

Both places in the rankings have been insecure this season.

Only 1 team can win.

Where's the threat?

GO SNAKES!           

Wild Bill your avatar is creepy... Change it back to some dude hitting golf balls on the beach in FTL or that station wagon.

Sparty needs to show up with enthusiasim period.  Everything else will come.  And for pete sakes remember your assignments. "Switch".... I hate those lost player back door open layups!

oh criminy CTM, now you've done it! 

Bubba just groused: "If that guy wants a ride from the airport to the ATL Dome, let him take a taxi...and he can mix his own damn drinks!"

Embrace the HYPE!!!

This is MSU basketball getting it's due!

These players and coaches deserve the HYPE they've earned it!

Beat the Hoosiers tonight.

Dawson is KILLING us right now... 3 TO's Already!

nice f&^&%g collapse down the stretch. Appling a no show once again missed freethrows to lock up the game missed free throws to tie the game and once again Sparty snatches defeat from the jaws of victory and pisses away a confernce title and the lead. Hope thye are proud to be th first team in 22 years to lose to IU at home. that was pathetic

I am pro big ten and would love to play MSU in the final but Nix should have kept his mouth shut.  I think that is what Izzo was talking about in the post game and he was shaken big time.  IU is damn good and are finally back on top!  I am shocked on message boards how many MSU fans are complaining about the refs...I was thinking IU had to beat the refs the entire game but it was bad on both ends I guess.  Anyway, good luck...I am pulling for you in the Big Dance!

I really do not think what Nix said had anything to do with the game.
Crean had the Hoosiers prepared.
Izzo had the Spartans prepared.
They went at it.
The officials missed on a few, but that went both ways. There are no complaints here.

IU is the better team this season.
An NCAA Title for the B1G Ten (by whichever team) would be great.       

Don't  hang this on Appling. Certainly he did not perform as well as he could have, but Harris missed, too. Nix had the ball taken from his hands more than once. The defense cracked and gave IU some clear 3-point shots.

There is no shame in this game. IU won. MSU played hard, gave it their all, and came up short in the end.

once again Sparty snatches defeat from the jaws of victory and pisses away a confernce title

That is just plain wrong. I realize it is just angst and frustration talking, but it is just plain wrong, especially the "once again" part.