Michigan State Holds Off Refs, 78-73

Immediate reaction and things to consider while we all hear whistles in our dreams tonight...

• The Big Ten Network brought all that you would expect for a 6:30 game at Penn State, giving us some weak announcers. I'm not sure who was doing play by play but Tim McCormick blessed us with some great insight. Things got interesting right away when McCormick bet that "Goran Suton eats A LOT of bananas." Let's keep some things to ourselves, Tim.

• After a hot start by MSU, Penn State battled back thanks to the dribble-drive of Talor Battle. He absolutely killed Michigan State guards, who had no answer for his move off the dribble.

• Michigan State didn't really help themselves, as they passed up numerous open looks. Chris Allen led the way here, passing up a few wide open 3's and disregarding his deadly outside shooting.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• The Big Ten Network will not win any TV Emmy's. One MSU possession went unseen thanks to a graphic comparing Michigan's Manny Harris and Illinois' Dmetri McCamey. Thanks, producers.

• Around the midway point of the first half, BTN advertised something on their website called "JACKED." This was fitting thanks to Penn State's Jamelle Cornley, who is jacked himself. If that guy is not on steroids then lets just say he has superb supplements. His strength was highlighted on one boxout where he hooked Draymond Green's arm and lifted him clear off the ground with one arm. This was ignored by the referees.

• Speaking of the men with whistles, what a showing for the second year in a row! They called constant off the ball fouls, weak touch fouls, and any other kind of foul. Penn State entered the double bonus with 9:26 left in the game. 9:26! That is incredible. But as bad as they were to MSU, they didn't help Penn State much either as they were called on the same mostly weak calls. The refs successfully dragged the game out for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and were probably the biggest reason for Penn State's comeback, aside from their zone defense.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• Penn State's zone defense completely stifled the Spartans. At first, I didn't think it would be effective because MSU was shooting so well from outside, but they went cold as PSU switched to the zone. This played perfectly into Penn State's hands, and they methodically cut the lead down all the way to one with a minute left.

• The most spectacular play of the game was completely glossed over by the stellar Big Ten Network announcing team. Early in the second half, Raymar Morgan was fouled near half court on a 3 on 1 break. After the play was whistled, he passed baseline to Kalin Lucas who threw down a one-handed dunk! Who would have known that Kalin Lucas can throw down? I was shocked, angry, excited, and curious all at the same time and the announcers didn't even mention it.

• Penn State's crowd was generally clueless. Although they got loud near the end (and rightfully so,) they were getting excited for some worthless reasons throughout the game. They would cut the lead to 12 and go nuts! They should have changed their chant from "We Are Penn State! We Are Penn State" to "We Are Down 10! We Are Down 10!" because that's where they were most of the game.

• And while I'm on the subject of the crowd, can we just end the naming of every student section? The 'Nittany Nation'? Really? Let's wait until they start selling out games and taking over games (like their football crowd) before we name them anything.

• 1-18-09. Brace Yourself.

• Overall, I was glad that Penn State made a game out of it, because they could easily have let up and lost by 25. Their resilience should pay dividends this year, as they will win their share of home games in the Big Ten. As for MSU, it was a good road win, as any road win is in this league. They avoided what would have been a heartbreaking loss and have to be increasingly confident heading into the weekends game with upstart Illinois.

Keep an eye out for a game wrap on the Michigan-Illinois game that is underway. It will be posted either late tonight or more likely tomorrow morning.