I might be in the minority here, but the more I watch this Michigan State basketball team, the more similarities I see to the 2013-2014 MSU team that was an injury (and a hot UConn team) away from getting Izzo his second National Title. You could argue that the Keith Appling wrist injury during the season was the speed bump that ultimately derailed them down the stretch in the Elite Eight game against Shabazz Napier…... I mean UConn. Pre-wrist injury Appling was playing at a different level, similar to how I see Winston taking over games this season. Post-injury Appling never regained his confidence to shoot the way he did early in that season. Over his final 14 games, Appling averaged a meager 4.9 pts/game, often passing up open looks he wouldn’t have hesitated on early in the season. That 2013-14 team also had several key contributors that could step up at any given time, but similar to this year, had a slew of injuries causing them to miss several games throughout the season. 6 players in total (Matt Costello, Adreian Payne, Gary Harris, Travis Trice, Brendan Dawson, and Keith Appling) dealt with lingering injuries, and with the exception of Keith Appling, all came back to play their best basketball down the stretch. I’m not saying this year’s team is an exact replica of that 2013-2014 team, but I do see a similar cast of characters and winning mentality it takes to be successful come March….That is of course, as long as health is on our side down the stretch. So far, they have weathered the injury storm extremely well with their only blemish due to missing personnel being the Louisville game at the YUM center (where bourbon and beer are served to help numb the pain of a game like that), and that was in large part due to the absence of arguably the best defender on the team in Matt McQuaid. He's been a lock-down defender that has shut down and frustrated two of the top scorers in the league in Carsen Edwards (3-16 shooting) and James Palmer Jr (6-21 shooting). He’s just one of those players willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win and the type of player Izzo absolutely loves. I have no doubts about the strengths and chemistry of this year’s team, but the bigger question is if they can shed the dreaded walking boot that has plagued MSU for years and avoid any more catastrophic injuries down the stretch. With a healthy Kyle Ahrens and Josh Langford, they just might be able to do what that 2013-2014 team could not….get Izzo his elusive second natty.
JCooley
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