So what happens when the bully throws the first punch tonight?

[WinOneThisCentury]

Do the Hawks "nut up" or do they let the physical play get to them? This is going to be a blood bath tonight as I don't think the Hawks roll over. I'm hoping Woody and Wagner get their money's worth...and they use 7-8 fouls with intent, cause you know it's coming from MSU.

Jok and Uthoff are going to get roughed up...count on it. They know we need to make threes and no way are they allowed to get comfortable.

This is going to be an interesting game if the refs swallow the whistles...which I expect to happen in East Lansing. Hope its the opposite, but don't think so. MSU comes out and pushes us around and sets the tone...it's the old, "you can't call a foul on every possession" method...especially with the crowd screaming in the officials ears...and Izzo working them over too. I hate playing the Breslin center.

 

[Ronman]

I expect Tommy to be frothing at the mouth. He's not going to let the officials forget that they blew it and let the Hawks win at Carver.

 

[nu2u]

Poke him in the eye.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Poke him in the eye.

Excellent suggestion. Woodbury has that move down...bring it Woody! Whole body is a weapon kind of stuff...nice.

 

[hawksense]

If you're expecting bullying, react accordingly. It shouldn't be a mystery that they're going to try to MSU us. Keep your nerves about you and play the best you can.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I seriously could see this game getting ugly from a physicality standpoint. I would not be shocked to see an ejection or two out of this game tonight (elbows or flopping). I think Tommy put a fire into his players and called them out. I think you will see MSU try to "get away" with some physical fouls to try and put a scare into Iowa's players. Also I wouldn't count out a T coming from Fran tonight.

MSU will be physical with Iowa's guards and Gessell has to be strong with the ball. They will most likely press the entire game and I would not be shocked if MSU shoots lights out tonight. They always seem to be "hot" at home and if they catch fire, it could be a long ballgame.

Regardless of the outcome of tonights game, the hawks have a lot games in front of them, If they drop this one, it won't matter in the long haul. Just flush it and move onto Michigan. I just don't want anyone to get hurt.

 

[hansenhawk]

This would be a good game for Fran to get ejected from.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I don't want Wagner to act like a hockey goon. But, I have no problem with him getting his money's worth for any fouls in the lane.
As to how they respond, I honestly have no idea. Hawk teams have crumpled like a cheap folding chair too many times there for me to have a lot of confidence. But this is a different group. They have the pu comeback to give them some confidence.
I expect an msu win. It would sure be nice, though, if the Hawks gave them a scare.
I would only be disappointed if they got blown out.

 

[DenverTurtle]

Previous year's teams have curled up into a ball after the MSU bullies throw the 1st punch.

This year's team will spit in MSU's eyes, kick them in the nuts and then pound them, dripping their bloody noses in MSU's faces as they give them the ground and pound!

 

[TJHawkeye]

Izzo gets away with badgering the officials the whole game. Fran would be ejected in the 1st qtr.

 

[Mohawkeye]

With 4 seniors and a junior, I don't expect this team to wilt. However, I do think their physical play will wear on us. Like most every game, I expect out shooting percentage from the 3 to be the key to us winning, along with defense. Utoff and Jok both need to be on. Beating Izzo twice in one season would make up for not getting the chance to whoop on Bo this year.

 

[CanadaHawk]

The only player I'm worried about for MSU from the bully standpoint is Davis. The kid is sooo talented with the capability of being very physical. However, he's just a freshman so he could make mistakes that hurt as well.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I hope the officials don't feel the need to call a lot of fouls both ways. MSU is a lot deeper than Iowa on the interior. We especially need Uthoff and Mike and the floor for at least 30 min tonight.

 

[DanL53]

I'm fully expecting someone to point out at the end of the game that the refs actually called one or two fouls more on Michigan State than on Iowa. So the refs had to have been fair.

Let me say before that happens. No. NO,NO,NO,NO,NO!!! If Michigan State commits fifty fouls and gets called for 15, and we commit 13 and get called for 13, no it isn't fair.

That said, and all my complaining said, Go Hawkeyes! We can beat these guys it just takes more effort to get past all the crud!!!!

 

[soybean]

I hope the officials don't feel the need to call a lot of fouls both ways. MSU is a lot deeper than Iowa on the interior. We especially need Uthoff and Mike and the floor for at least 30 min tonight.

You woulda thought.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I seriously could see this game getting ugly from a physicality standpoint. I would not be shocked to see an ejection or two out of this game tonight (elbows or flopping). I think Tommy put a fire into his players and called them out. I think you will see MSU try to "get away" with some physical fouls to try and put a scare into Iowa's players. Also I wouldn't count out a T coming from Fran tonight.

MSU will be physical with Iowa's guards and Gessell has to be strong with the ball. They will most likely press the entire game and I would not be shocked if MSU shoots lights out tonight. They always seem to be "hot" at home and if they catch fire, it could be a long ballgame.

Regardless of the outcome of tonights game, the hawks have a lot games in front of them, If they drop this one, it won't matter in the long haul. Just flush it and move onto Michigan. I just don't want anyone to get hurt.

Did ya see what I did there !

God we played well!

 

[rufus-hawk]

Who would have imagined we were the bully throwing a knockout punch!

What a great game, one of the best games in recent memory, even having attended the Purdue game in West Lafayette!

It wasn't long ago that the recipe for beating Iowa seemed to be as simple as playing very physical until we caved. No longer. This team looks to have a very high ceiling!