dirtynine
Sophomore
Posts: 127
Reg: 02-01-06
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03-12-18 10:23 PM - Post#252628
(Thought it was time to branch off from the bracketology thread.)
Bucknell (14) vs. Michigan State (3)
NCAA Midwest Regional (Detroit, MI / Little Caesars Arena)
Friday, March 16, 2018
Tip: 7:10 pm EST
TV: CBS
Broadcast crew: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Allie LaForce
Refs: TBA (unless I missed this announcement)
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raymondbucknell
Junior
Posts: 295
Reg: 02-05-07
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Michigan State game
03-13-18 09:57 AM - Post#252675
In response to dirtynine
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp...
The Post picks the Bison as one of five Cinderellas. Let’s go dancing!
Edited by raymondbucknell on 03-13-18 09:58 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Paulie777
PhD Student
Posts: 1767
Reg: 11-11-07
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Michigan State game
03-13-18 10:49 AM - Post#252692
In response to raymondbucknell
They are a tough opponent but all is not lost. Nana really is a good player to have in a game like this, the bigger they are the more he exels on offense and defense. Zach is getting better each game and uses his head to score points and loves the game. Stephen Brown is a first class basketball player that is of the highest quality. Kimbal seems to rise to the challenge and the Maple leaf marvel seems to step up his game the bigger they get. Who is the fifth player? Can Jimmy Sotos step up like Griffin did against Kansas? John Griffin announced his arrival against Kansas when he did that behind the back pass, can Sotos do something like that? There has to be passes made and good teamwork in addition to all of Bucknell's individual strengths. Nate Sestina is peaking at the right time.
The downside is Bruce Moore is suspended. We really could use him. He was the one that fed Kimbal the pass during the Colgate win, lets get him on this stage he seems to do well in also. If the ball bounces our way and some shots fall. anything can happen.
Edited by Paulie777 on 03-13-18 10:54 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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bison63
Postdoc
Posts: 3857
Reg: 01-23-06
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03-13-18 11:13 AM - Post#252701
In response to Paulie777
Is that a confirmation that Bruce is out? Hopefully not, because that punishment is too harsh given time already served.
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BreakinBison
Sophomore
Posts: 146
Reg: 01-23-06
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03-13-18 01:24 PM - Post#252750
In response to bison63
Izzo preview of Bucknell (video). Compares us to Purdue and Wisconsin.
https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/college /michig...
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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03-13-18 02:01 PM - Post#252767
In response to BreakinBison
Bison shot 44% from 3 the last two games, including 56% in the 2nd half. They will need a similar performance to have a chance against MSU. They shot 45% last year against WVU, including Kimbal's 5-7, and still came up short.
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SpartyJon
Freshman
Posts: 7
Age: 48
Reg: 03-11-18
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Re: Bruce
03-13-18 04:50 PM - Post#252831
In response to bison63
Bruce is out per Twitter.
I know I'm in enemy territory, but I watched a few of your team's games and came away really impressed. Bucknell has a few of the weapons that can be used to give MSU fits.
Nana is not one of them, however. MSU is really deep at center/forwards with Izzo having confidence in playing 5 of them. Ward, when he doesn't foul is a plus post defender and excellent offensive rebounder. Tilman is a freshman, but has been earning more time and works harder than Ward and has a higher ceiling. MSU is one of the best teams in the nation at defending the two point shot.
Thomas will give MSU issues because of his ability to score inside and outside. Expect Miles Bridges to defend him, as they are about the same size. This will allow Jaren Jackson Jr to patrol the paint and look to offer weak side help and try to get blocks.
As good as Thomas is, Stephen Brown will be the Spartan's main concern as while Cassius Winston is an excellent offensive player with a shooting line near 50-50-90 2p/3p/FT and great passing skills he has been exposed by quicker guards like Brown. Don't be surprised to see senior Nairn play a lot if Brown is beating Winston off the dribble. Nairn is much quicker, but is much weaker offensively and takes few shots.
I know Bucknell likes to run, and that won't bother MSU as the Spartans are comfortable playing at any pace. Where Bucknell can expose MSU is with high screens, as Ward is sometimes slow with his feet.
Bucknell has a lot of good three point shooters and that's where the weakness in the defense lies. Izzo prefers to protect the paint, and a team that capitalizes on making threes can score on MSU. MSU also has times where it commits inexplicable turnovers.
I'm really impressed with Bucknell's coach and how the players are prepared for any opponent and feeling they can hang with any team in the nation. I'm impressed with the perfect academic progression of the program and how he holds Bucknell to the highest standards of integrity.
I was really expecting Bucknell to be a 13 seed considering the non conference strength of schedule and the fact Bucknell is a back to back league champ.
Good luck in Detroit, and whatever the game result is, Bucknell is team of winners.
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BUFan
PhD Student
Posts: 1936
Reg: 01-24-06
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03-13-18 07:22 PM - Post#252864
In response to SpartyJon
If Bucknell is going to take this game to the wire, without a doubt, Brown will have to have one of his dominant games like in the PL Final. Mackenzie is also going to have to light it up from deep. I agree we are unlikely to win the battle down low. That said, I think Nana can hold his own defensively.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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Michigan State game
03-13-18 07:30 PM - Post#252866
In response to BUFan
MSU’s inside dominance this game is scary. I can easily see a lot of easy inside layups and dunks by the Spartans as well as a ton of offensive rebounds. Sestina likes to flex his muscles, no better game for him to make it happen. If Bucknell can at least slow that part of the game down for them and shoot 40-50+ % from 3, then we can hang. I agree that Stephen Brown is a huge key. I hate to put pressure on him, but he has to have a monster game for us to get this win.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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03-13-18 07:45 PM - Post#252869
In response to MrPhillie
Toomer is the other wild card. He has been shooting well and is the player most likely to be left open. If he knocks down a couple threes that will take some pressure off the other guys. If Zach gets going early, that would certainly help too.
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md2377
Freshman
Posts: 17
Loc: Williamstown, MA
Reg: 02-01-16
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03-13-18 08:11 PM - Post#252877
In response to jkrun80
Is Zach's nose doing better? He ditched the mask vs Colgate but still didn't seem quite like himself.
| A Bison surrounded by purple cows. |
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BUFan
PhD Student
Posts: 1936
Reg: 01-24-06
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Re: Michigan State game
03-13-18 08:33 PM - Post#252886
In response to MrPhillie
Sestina could become a viral star in this game if he somehow finds a way to go off against MSU's big men (coupled with his entertaining antics)...Kinda like how Wilman blew up Twitter in the 2nd half against Butler in 2013.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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03-13-18 08:35 PM - Post#252887
In response to md2377
Is Zach's nose doing better? He ditched the mask vs Colgate but still didn't seem quite like himself.
He was supposed to have surgery to reset it the day after the championship game.
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BisonFan4
Junior
Posts: 211
Age: 45
Reg: 12-30-16
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Re: Michigan State game
03-13-18 09:46 PM - Post#252904
In response to BUFan
I agree with your comment about Sestina going viral. I think this is going to be his game to shine. After patiently sitting in the shadows of Nana & Zach, he's ready to break out
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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03-13-18 10:43 PM - Post#252913
In response to BisonFan4
https://www.theonlycolors.com/2018/3/13/17116506/3...
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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03-13-18 10:46 PM - Post#252914
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/ michiga...
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SpartyJon
Freshman
Posts: 7
Age: 48
Reg: 03-11-18
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Re: The poll at the bottom of the article
03-14-18 07:29 AM - Post#252933
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
I guess that kinda blows up the whole "MSU fans are looking past Bucknell" theory.
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Bison89
Professor
Posts: 5370
Loc: Philadelphia
Reg: 11-14-07
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Re: The poll at the bottom of the article
03-14-18 08:18 AM - Post#252936
In response to SpartyJon
I guess that kinda blows up the whole "MSU fans are looking past Bucknell" theory.
SpartyJon, yes, you are right. The poll is currently at 52% vs. 48% in favor of Worry About The Bison.
Can't wait to see the game.
GO BISON!!!
| New season, new team, new dream . . . |
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raymondbucknell
Junior
Posts: 295
Reg: 02-05-07
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03-14-18 05:55 PM - Post#253093
In response to Bison89
Hi folks,
I purchased tickets during the presale and may have an extra if my Bucknell roommate does not make the trip. $100 face value. The downside is you would have to sit next to me. If you’re interested let me know and I’ll let you know as soon as I can if it’s available.
Chris
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jkrun80
Postdoc
Posts: 3305
Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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Michigan State game
03-14-18 07:37 PM - Post#253104
In response to raymondbucknell
Zach needs 11 points to average 20 (700 total) for the season. Obviously, everyone needs to play well, but I hope he has a good game and gets there easily.
Edited by jkrun80 on 03-14-18 07:38 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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