Izzo blasts Illinois for firing Weber

Bruce Weber was fired from the head coaching job at Illinois earlier today. That really was no surprise since the Illini struggled mightily down the stretch and Weber ultimately paid the price.

Michigan State coach, Tom Izzo didn't like the way things went down in Champaign and let everyone know about it at his press conference. Izzo blasted the Illinois administration for firing Weber and said that he'll help Weber get a new job if he needs it.


"I'm sick about it. I'm sick about it. And I'm sick about it -- and make sure you understand the reason why.


"They beat us early in January, and I beat Ohio State, and so I have three problems. Bruce is a friend of mine. He's been here since the Gene Keady days. He's done it the right way. He doesn't cheat. He mans up to his own responsibilities. Incredible, incredible person. I've recruited against him and lost, and I've recruited against him and won, and (it) hasn't changed things.


"Number two, we have to understand that we blame kids for a lot of things. Kids have changed. Now we have administrators that are pulling the rug under ourselves in the middle of January, when you're 16 and 6 or 7 or whatever it was, and we publicly talk about -- we'll make decisions at the end of the year.


"I don't know what you guys think of kids, because they haven't changed much, but if there's one place they've changed, they're a little more fragile. Not as many two-parent homes. Not as good of school systems that are holding kids accountable and demanding. And so now we put that on those poor kids? And then we're surprised that they lose nine out of 10?


"I don't know who's beaten me the worst, probably Bo (Ryan), but second on that list -- and I'm canonized as something some of the time ... .


"I think it was ridiculous the way that thing was handled. And if I take abuse for that, I really don't care, because I'm also the president of our association. This isn't about a friendship. This is about a profession.


"And whenever you're in an organization, whether it be yours, whether it be mine, or whether it be a business one, the only way you can be successful is if, top to bottom, from the president to the trainer, we're all on the same page, and that in five, six months, you can determine something.


"I feel bad for the Illini nation, because somebody's -- somebody pulled the rug out from under them. I feel bad for those players that have been there that, in my estimation, weren't given a fair chance back about the middle of January, whenever that famous statement was made.


"But if you look at that team from that statement, it went directly down. And I feel worse for Bruce, because we lost a good soldier. And yeah, friendship is some of it, but it's not all of it. We lost a good coach. We got a coach that beat me and my team more often than not, and I just -- I can't figure that out.


"I can't figure out how you guys allow it. You guys are always figuring out the negatives of things. I can't figure out how you guys allow it.


"And my wife and I shed a tear this morning over it, and it was half for Bruce and half for my profession.


"But unless there's things -- and I will publicly state this -- that I don't know, but when I heard those comments back in January, it made me sick, and I said there's a problem.


"And so I hope the administrators that made those statements have a good game plan, but you guys lost a good guy, we lost a good guy, and I think -- I just hope he gets another job. And I'm going to do everything in my power to help him.


"And I guess that's all I'll say, because I'll probably put my foot in my mouth, because if it was HBO, we could get at it right now, and I'd really be fired up about it, because I just think -- I can't believe -- I can't believe nobody's looked at when those comments were made and where that team went.


"I mean, this guy has won more games than anybody -- percentage than anybody that's been at the school. And he's done it the right way, and that's not easy to do. And it's not an easy job there. And when a big-time recruit’s father, I think -- watch what I say here -- comes out and makes statements, I mean, you better have a good idea the guy you're dealing with.


"And I know this. I've known Bruce Weber since the day I was a grad assistant. There's not a classier, better guy -- and I don't want to just hear he's a nice guy -- better coach. He's had some things thrown at him, too, with injuries and guys leaving early and stuff like that.


"So I'm sad, more sad for my profession than I am for Bruce, because he's a man. I've seen him in his press conference. He'll man up, and he'll get it done.


"So sorry I had to get on a soapbox, but I'll leave it at that."


Izzo is safe at Michigan State but it's good to see him take up for his fellow man. By the way, the "mystery' administrator Izzo spoke of would be Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas.

Michigan State Thinking Of A Hockey Game On An Aircraft Carrier

Michigan State was the first school to play an outdoor hockey game (versus Michigan). The Spartans were the first to play a basketball game on an aircraft carrier (versus North Carolina). The people at Michigan State arer now thinking of another first. The first to play a hockey game on an aircraft carrier.

Athletic director Mark Hollis mentioned today that he has been approached about the possibility. He made a brief appearance at Munn Ice Arena before hockey coach Tom Anastos held an informal session with reporters. Hollis then traveled to Indianapolis to attend the NCAA convention and did not return calls seeking more details.


Anastos sounds like he's in favor of the idea.

“I just think when you can create good, unique experiences for the student-athletes, it is definitely worth exploring.”


I don't watch college hockey but if a game on an aircraft carrier materializes, I might actually take the time to check it out.  

Giving Credit To The Wind

Apparently Michigan's Denard Robinson can't be stopped. The forces of nature is the only thing that can put the kibosh on Robinson. That's if you ask Nebraska's Taylor Martinez.

Martinez gave Michigan State's defense no credit when speaking with reporters, when asked was he impressed with how the Spartans stopped Denard Robinson.

Martinez told reporters Monday: "I really don't think they slowed him down. I think the key factor was the wind kind of slowed him down. The wind with his passing game and stuff. Hopefully we can exploit what Denard Robinson didn't do."

Asked why MSU's defense is good, Martinez said: "Any school in the Big Ten has a good defense. I think they'll just be another good defense that we face."

Really I didn't know every Big Ten school had a good defense. Minnesota, Indiana, and Northwestern would be glad you gave them props for saying such things.

Martinez does present a challenge for the Spartan defense, but if he looked a little closely that's two years in a row Michigan State has limited Robinson. And last year there was no wind, in a road game no less. This year Robinson had the wind for a half, so what Martinez says is pretty lame.

I'm sure the Spartans weren't too thrilled, but Michigan State's Jerel Worthy refused to get into a war of words with the Nebraska quarterback.

“We play football how we play football, no matter what the weather is,” MSU defensive tackle Jerel Worthy said. “We go out in the rain, sleet, snow or sun.



“Hopefully there’s no wind so he can make no excuses when we go out there and do our thing.”

According to weather reports it'll be sunny and 61 degrees, so if Martinez falters I'll wonder if he finally gives the Spartan defense some respect.

Charlie Bell Had A Rough Weekend

Former Michigan State player and current Golden State Warrior, Charlie Bell had a rough weekend. His estranged wife Kenya Bell was charged with assaulting him with a box cutter at his home in Grand Blanc Township home.

There aren't too many details about the case, except that their two children were present at the time of attack. The Genesee County prosecutor says Kenya Bell was released from jail Monday, one day after her arrest in Grand Blanc Township.

Charlie referred to it as "the longest day of his life". He suffered minor injuries in the attack. 

Kenya Bell, 35, faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence.

Michigan State Cuts Ties To Booster Club

Michigan State has suspended all activities with the Downtown Coaches Club, a football booster club, in the wake of an investigation of the club's activities by the Michigan Lottery Commission.


"For several weeks, we have been aware that the Downtown Coaches Club had some financial reporting issues as well the review being conducted by the Michigan State Lottery Commission," MSU athletic director Mark Hollis said in a prepared statement. "At that time, the Michigan State Athletics Department immediately suspended all activities with the organization."

The club is a nonprofit organization -- operating independently of the MSU Athletics Office -- that runs 50/50 raffles at MSU football games, among other activities.

WILX-TV in Lansing has reported the investigation is focused on whether club officials used raffle proceeds improperly.

Norman Gaffney, attorney for the Downtown Coaches Club, could not be reached for comment.

"While there are issues that I found concerning, I do not believe the organization was engaged in widespread abuse," Hollis said. "We will continue to review our relationship with these third-party booster groups because protecting all of our fans and supporters is our ultimate goal."

While the club is independent of the university, John Lewandowski, a school spokesman, said the club does provide funding for MSU's athletic program. In the 2010 calendar year, the club contributed $64,727.20 to the Spartan Fund, a fund-raising arm for MSU athletics, Lewandowski said.

The club had revenue of $171,935 and an ending balance of $86,235 for the tax year ending June 30, 2009, according to tax statements filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

With every connection being scrutinized by the NCAA I can see why Michigan State decided to act on this in a quick matter. They didn't want this to come back and bite them in the ass in the end.

 
Source: Detroit Free Press, Freep.com

Charlie Bell Arrested For DUI

When will these professional athletes and entertainers learn that it's easier to call a cab than to collect a DUI award. Ex-Michigan State Spartan and current Golden State Warrior Charlie Bell found this out the hard way. My question has always been, why don't you just catch a cab instead of taking the chance on being busted by the cops? I know you're not that stupid.

Bell was busted early Friday morning.  A CHP officer arrested Bell about 2:45 a.m. on Lakeshore Avenue, near Oakland's Lake Merritt, CHP Officer Sam Morgan said. Bell was booked at a downtown Oakland jail, where he remained for about four hours before being picked up by teammate Reggie Williams.

Damn, good looking out by Reggie Williams. He got up in the middle of the night to pick up a drunk teammate from jail. He must've not had anything going on that night, or he was resting up from the game the Warriors just played. Something you should have been doing Charlie. Next time lay off the sauce and if you don't call a cab or catch the bus or something. You're not the highest paid player in the league, but you get guaranteed money. Invest some of that cheaply and wisely.


 

A Big 0 For The Big Ten

Well, Gordon Gee. It's all up to your Ohio State Buckeyes to salvage the reputation of the battered and bruised Big Ten. That was a mighty pimp slap the rest of the college football world put on the boys from the midwest. Throw in Nebraska's loss to a mediocre Washington team they whacked by 35 earlier this season, that makes it a little bit worse.

For starters Northwestern fought the good fight in losing to Texas Tech 45-38. The Wildcats dug themselves too big of a hole to climb out of, but at least they made a game of it. More than what i can say about the next two games. That would be the simultaneous beatdown suffered by Michigan and Michigan State. The Michgan schools were outscored 101-21 and thoroughly embarassed by Alabama and Mississippi State. The Rodriguez era will end on an ugly note, no matter what David Brandon is saying. The Spartans are not ready for prime time. Penn State and Florida went down to the end until the Gators finally locked up an Outback Bowl victory with a pick 6, 37-24. Then in the Grandaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin lost to an unbeaten TCU squad, 21-19. No shame in that, except if Ohio State president Gordon Gee didn't make those ridiculous comments about teams like TCU not playing anyone. It's not like anyone wants to sign up to play them. Anyway, how did that taste Gordon.

The bowl season actually started out pretty good for the Big Ten, with wins by Iowa and Illinois, only to see the roof cave in during the postseason. Five losses in five games. And I'm not feeling to confident about Ohio State, with the distractions created by the Buckeye 5 and all.   

Michigan & Michigan St. Get Drilled

What was the license plate number of the semi that rolled over Michigan and Michigan State today. Wow, I didn't expect wins out of either of them but these games were flat out embarrasments. The Wolverines were decimated by Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, 52-14. Michigan State didn't show up at all in losing to Alabama, 49-7. Being old school like I am, it reminded me of the episode of What's Happening when Oakland steamrolled Tampa Bay. That's 4 and a half hours that I'll never get back.

With Michigan's loss that should spell the end of the Rich Rod error, I mean era in Ann Arbor. This game was a summary of what went wrong in his three years at Michigan. Athletic Director David Brandon says that he will evaluate Rodriguez after the season. Well Dave evaluation time is now. I think Brandon said that to buy time to see which back door deal he could make for a new coach. Of course that's just my personal opinion. Anywhere else that guy might've been fired. The offense couldn't get anything going, the defense can't tackle anyone, and the special teams were anything but special. Everyone blames Greg Robinson for the defense, but he had a scheme that was forced down his throat that wasn't his forte. Also Rodriguez made the same mistake Bill Callahan made at Nebraska. He abandoned the tradition of what put the school on the map. It's pretty clear Michigan won't go outside the Michigan family for this hire. Stay tuned for the moving and shaking that'll go on this week in Ann Arbor.

What the hell happened to Michigan State? After all they accomplished this year they went out like chumps against Alabama. That tree that fell in the forest, that was the resounding thud ending the Spartans' season. I'll give them credit though. They had a helluva season. It just shouldn't have ended this way. After it was 21-0 I didn't have the stomach to watch it. I really don't have much to say, except it looked a lot like the Iowa game. I hate to say it, it looked like they didn't show up to play. They do have some building blocks for the future and I'm not a hardcore Spartans fan, but I want to see how they progress next year. That'll be a year to see if they've really arrived or if they're a one year wonder.

Spartans Need A Good Showing vs.Duke

I know Tom Izzo doesn't really put a premium on early season games, such as the one against Duke tonight. Well Mr. Izzo, this team has to acquit itself well or win tonight. There's one reason and one reason only I feel this way. They gte blown out in these early season showdowns. Think about the North Carolina games the last two years.

There are people that will say "Izzo always wins in March so it doesn't matter". To me it does matter. I understand wanting to measure yourself against the best in the nation. There just has to be a point that you actually start winning some of these early season games. There are some that want to be there in March. I want to be there and win all year. I want to set a tone of dominance. I want my team to feel they can't be beat. Michigan State doesn't have that confidence to be a dominant team. They're good, but they're not as good as they can be. I don't want State to win just because I hate Duke. I want them to tell the rest of America that they are a force to be reckoned with. 

Ugly Saturday

Both Michigan and Michigan State, to put it mildly, had a lousy Saturday. Let me start with the mighty Spartans. I can't really say too much negative about State since they are having an exceptional season. I won't let the loss to Iowa ruin what they've accomplished thus far. Unless they somehow blow any of the last three games.

You see, at the start of the year I didn't figure that State would be in this position. Iowa is a better team and proved it Saturday. They were coming off a loss to Wisconsin and were fighting for a BCS spot. I  just didn't expect a performance where they would be down 23-0 in the span of time it took me to make a sandwich. They couldn't stop the Hawkeyes if their life depended on it. Kirk Cousins picked the wrong time to go in the tank. Every time it seemed the Spartans would start moving and show some signs of life, there was an interception that cost them points on the board. I don't have much else to say. The Spartans need to regroup against Minnesota. This is a winnable game as are the games against Purdue and Penn State. If they can get a little help they can still land in the Rose Bowl.

Now i can get to Michigan. For the second straight year we get to see a fast start go down in flames. Two of the three losses are somewhat forgivable. Iowa and Michigan State are better and more physical teams. But Penn State?! That was shades of Purdue and Justin Siller. They let a walk on stater kick their tails. McLoin, McLovin, whatever the hell his name is. That's a game the Wolverines should've won. The Nittany Lions offense had been anemic for most of the year and they let them march up and down the field on them. They just had their heads handed to the by Illinois. And they couldn't beat them.

The defense just doesn't work. That Big East style 3-3-5 scheme just doesn't cut it in the Big Ten. They're too light in the ass and not physical enough. Hell, that scheme wasn't good enough to stop UMass. How do you think it would work in the Big Ten? The Wolverines couldn't come up with a stop if they took the field with baseball bats. The offense performs when they're behind. So spare me the fake comeback excuse. This team hasn't showed the kind of improvement that is needed to tough some games out. I just don't see it in them. Where's Mike freakin Barwis? He was the greatest strength and conditioning coach of all time and they look tired all the damn time. Greg Robinson's schemes don't work. And for all the offensive improvement, it's basically a one man game.

Rodriguez has to go and take Robinson with him. Hell, bring back Gary Moeller, since it's no guarantee they can't get anyone else at this point. Since that statement seems so true right now we might be stuck with the guy. In that case, get some bigger players and scrap that damn 3-3-5 and play some real football. Rich Rod can talk all he wants about being positive. What is there to be postive about. Being a home underdog? Yeah, real positive. How about the defense getting shredded week after week. That's also positive. Rich, whose eyes are you trying to pull the wool over? The offense looks good and all the problems are on defense and it doesn't get any better with JT Floyd going down for the rest of the year. Hey, that's also positive. It's looking real bad. Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase hasn't passed so good this year, but he'll look like Dan Fouts come Saturday.

Michigan/Michigan State Thoughts

Michigan State is undoubtedly the top dog in the state right now. I know it rubs the Michigan faithful the wrong way, but its the truth.

The Spartans have reached new heights this season. Starting 7-0 for the first tine since 1966. Coming in with a number seven ranking in the first BCS poll and beating the Wolverines for three straight years. Right now they are everything Michigan used to be. Owning a win over Wisconsin, who in turn knocked off Ohio State, the Spartans are in control of the Big Ten race right now. Take one game at a time and everything should work itself out. Just don't look past Northwestern, to get to Iowa.

For all of the offensive excitement, the Wolverines have regressed badly on defense. It's hard to start freshman and inexperienced sophomores, but you'd expect some kind of improvement. It seems like for everything they seem to do right on the defensive side of the ball, they follow it up with a penalty or some kind of mental mistake that puts a player out of position to make a play. I do think some of it is scheme because i just don't think the 3-3-5 is going to get it done in the Big Ten. Some of it is talent. Not that they don't have it. It just keeps leaving or it's not developing. Rich Rod is talking about moving five star defensive tackle William Campbell to guard. Rodriguez even made a Bobby Williams-esque statement about how Vince Lombardi couldn't fix the problems on defense. The Wolverines need to improve or see a once promising start turn to dust for the second year in a row. They'll outscore you, but when they need to make a play defensively, let's just say the jury is still out on that one.