+3 and -3 from MSU vs. LSU,

+3 1. Tom Izzo. DJ, Fife, and OG. But, Tom Izzo. When you hire a coach that is a cheater, like Will Wade, and have to play in a huge game, this happens. The biggest difference in this game was one team playing in a structured system with remarkable discipline and execution and one that wasn't. There were no less than 15 plays where I had the lack of structure killed LSU. Times where they were in 1-3-1 zone and two guys on the same side. Times where the tripled the post instead of doubling it. Times where they were supposed to get into some type of offensive play but just went 1 on 1 instead. Times where they weren't even matched up. That's not even taking into account effort things, like lack of effort on defensive block-outs or running back hard in transition. While so much of that is player related, it's another reason why I will NEVER take Tom Izzo for granted. A non-cheating basketball program beat a cheating basketball program with structure, systems, and discipline. That is no accident. Above and beyond all of it, 30+ wins, 2 championships, another Elite 8. Every player Izzo has recruited and has stayed 4 years has made the Elite 8. Think on that for a minute and admire the silly consistency he has brought to this university. Man, do I want this team in the Final Four again, but I am going to enjoy these wins. It won't always be this way and instead of worrying about Sunday, I'm going to relish in this one and this season until tip-off! 2. Henry/Brown. I mean, C'mon! They combine for 35 on 6/10 from "3." Those who are uninformed will say they can't believe the luck MSU had for those two to shoot the ball that well. Those who know the game understand that those were practice reps/shots. We may have got more uncontested shots tonight than we have in the last 2 months. I actually think 13/32 from "3" for 41% could've been better just because of how WIDE OPEN the shots were. We have seen this coming with Henry, glimpses here and there. Those takes off the bounce where he basically cleared everyone out and got to his spot (10-14 feet) and finished with both hands were NBA moves. Back to coaching, if you are LSU what is your scouting report on Gabe Brown? The one thing you shouldn't do is let him catch and shoot. Make him put it on the deck. What a great testament to that kid that he has stayed into it mentally in games and practices as you truly never know when your time will come. Even though we didn't expect 35 points out of them tonight if you guard them that poorly, that can happen. 3. 41 rebounds to 34. 22 assists to 8. Only 10 team fouls and 7 turnovers. Gave up 39% shooting from the floor and 29% from 3. Not going to lose many games with those stats. On top of all of that, even when he's not his best, Cash is Cash. Plays the entire game, gets us into everything and throws 17/8 on top of it. -3 1. That 14-0 or whatever it was run to end the first and start the second half. Have had one of those in the 2nd half of all 3 tournament games. Will need to stem those runs to the range of 6-2, 8-0, or 10-4. Just can't be so extreme where we do everything wrong for about 5-7 minutes. 2. 4/16 from Kenny and Matt. They also struggled a little more than normal on D, granted against tough assignments. Was hoping Kenny found the jumper again in the Minnesota game, but 2/8 from "3" on great looks, but at least knocked down two in the 2nd half and Matt had the dagger. Love the 11 boards from Goins, but need our seniors to be better on Sunday. Crazy to think we got average-ish games from Cash, Kenny, X (what he did is almost expected now), and McQuaid and blew out the SEC champs. 3. Ward injury. Love his 5 rebounds and defensive activity (3 blocks). NEED him the rest of the way for playing rotation/minutes and low-post presence. Hope he can be good to go on Sunday. MISC * The tournament is a crazy thing. Bradley has given us our toughest game... * Like against Minnesota, got off to an amazing start. Really defended early, got out and ran, made shots. Love how ready to go we have been the last 2 games. * LSU has amazing 1 on 1 offensive players. Guys that can create nightmares when catching the ball in the right position or on a downhill drive. But talk about not putting players in a position to be successful! * I thought LSU had success in "icing" ball screens by MSU. They also went to some big/little switches and our only counter was to clear out 1 on 1 from the top with Henry/Winston. I bet we see more "ice" from Duke, especially when Tillman is the screener. Might be part of the 48 hour X's and O's adjustments. * Reid going 0/5 tonight from 3, almost more shots than he took from the block, is my "what does your coach do to hold you accountable?" stat of the night. * No Cam Reddish is a major deal for Duke even if they hang on tonight. * My family was in attendance for the 2-0 in Des Moines and my mom/brother are there this weekend. Hoping the Secor's can root the Spartans on to 4 in a row and then Minneapolis?????