The game could have been won (see below), but there are no hard feelings. It is a recurring theme in Michigan athletics: compete at the highest level but championships are scarce. Discouraging perhaps, but it is all you can ask for or expect.
The third game more than the others was winnable; Michigan is not down any injured players but State was and maybe that was the difference.
Perhaps Castelton was injured or somehow got in Beilein's doghouse. On the surface it looked as if it was not coach's best game. When in the lead he plays strange line-ups and Michigan was up big in the second half. I think the preoccupation was trying to preserve Teske. Anyway, Michigan kept what Beilein felt were Michigan's best eight players out there and they lost.
Iggy and Poole, probably the best scoring threats, gave it their all near the end but they were not very close. Coach says shoot so you cannot blame the shooter.
I didn't have a good feeling about games two and three against the Spartans.
In the first game Michigan was beaten. The full-game video was scarce, but what I remember is Michigan State is really fast down the court. As athletic as Michigan is they either could not keep up or became tired quickly. Second, Xavier Tillman is really good and versatile down low and he was playing very hard. Elsewhere, McQuaid, already a Wolverine-killer, is improved, as is Goins. Cassius Winston never misses.
Game 2 was more of the same.
Now game 3. I am glad Michigan did not start fast because that didn't work in the second game. I feel for the team. They are psyched-out by Michigan State. They will never stop fighting, but they don't know what to do.
Michigan State is so good, but you can never win if you expect to lose. It is rare for Michigan to be the underdog. Prediction-wise
Xavier Tillman is out and that is an opportunity.
The crowd is cheering for Michigan.
Teske is taking over. He is not demonstrative but he is domineering.
The players are watching the injury as if a) they've never seen that before and b) I didn't know that could happen to me. Kyle Ahrens. Very unusual, a stretcher with 4 minutes left in the first half and a stoppage this long in a basketball game. Izzo is crying. He will use it.
McQuaid is deadly as a shooter. Attack weaknesses; if he is not a stationary shooter he is vulnerable. Nick Ward can be beaten athletically too.
Iggy draws charge. He is a tough player and he is into the challenge.
Teske has been sitting a long time. No Castleton either. Tillman and Ward are out and Michigan is going small. Beilien is planning the second half.
M 31-23. Defense.
"The freshman is not good enough to play, right now," said Izzo. Maybe he means Marcus Bingham, Jr. Tillman and Bingham, State is getting some top in-state recruits.
Great game.
Michigan is working Tillman -- Teske, Iggy. And they are winning.
Who is that #11 guy?
Right now Michigan is playing kind of dumb. Turnover. Teske easy miss right under the basket. Foul on McQuaid (his isn't that good). Still up 8.
If Michigan plays smart they can win.
Bizarre. Michigan is losing concentration. Fouls. Turnovers. Lack of energy. 44-41.
The first two games Michigan State won. This game Michigan should win. But the game is getting away.
Not too late, 46-41. Iggy brick and McQuaid again 3.
Michigan looks
48-48. 6 minutes.
Teske is in and out because he is spent. Iggy was it earlier but he too is just hanging on. Matthews and Poole?
Jordan Poole showing up... Until McQuaid 3 FT with clock stopped (Poole foul).
McQuaid another 3. No one on Michigan can cover him.
Michigan bad offense--get it to Teske. Poole shot/turnover.
Tillman, tied, is much more aggressive on the other end.
0-3.
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