Ouch.

Well that sucked.

I don't know if I've ever seen a team down 30 points at the half. Memphis looked scary big and fast the first time I watched them play last weekend, but I thought in some way we could match up. The Spartans had to come out in this game firing and fighting with blood in their eyes and on their lips, but looked more confused and timid than anything. They had to come out with confidence and take it to Memphis with force but failed miserably. Disjointed and stymied, our leaders fell flat.

I sat wondering aloud what you tell a team that is down 30 at halftime. Izzo must have come up with something or possibly even let the silence speak for itself, but whatever took place in that locker room, the second half opened with Memphis going up four more points to +34, then somehow The Spartans decided to play basketball, coming back 20 points, saving face and cutting the lead to 14.

We didn't lose by the biggest margin yesterday across the sweet 16 games played, but we were made the fools on a national stage on Friday night. The saddest thing is most people turned off their TVs before seeing our boys in green rally back and end the game with some semblance of dignity. Another bright spot was seeing Chris Allen finally play up to his potential.

To make it through last weekend by beating a PITT team that pretty much everyone said would beat us and making it to the Sweet 16 again is something to build on for next year when the class coming in will be faster and more athletic.

Here's to Drew Neitzel and Naymick for giving State some great years of basketball.


Hold your head high Spartan.