Penn State vs. Michigan State In-Game Blog

0:00: THAT'S IT!!! I waited for the double zero on the clock to post it. Still don't believe this game is officially over. Without question the most impressive performance out of PSU in a very, very long time. Great play by Battle and Frazier. Jeff Brooks was a beast on defense, and came through in the clutch with big shots when the team needed him offensively. Drew Jones and D.J Jackson didn't contribute much. But it doesn't matter. Ladies and Gentlemen, GRAB YOUR DANCING SHOES, PENN STATE IS GOING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!! 61-48 PSU!!!!!

Also, be sure to check out Tim's post from earlier today, comparing this run with 2001.
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2:52: Still up 10 but could be more. Jeff Brooks with the huge block, but couldn't convert on the fastbreak. MSU came right back down and scored. Could be 15 point differential. Brooks comes back with another MONSTER block to send us into a media timeout. Still not over yet. Remember, MSU has a lot of shooters. Penn State looked complacent on the last offensive possession. If that continues on defense, Michigan State could get the offensive shots it desperately needs. 55-45 PSU!!!!


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6:22 With time just about to expire on the shot clock, Tim Frazier took one dribble and threw up a shot just in front of the three point line. The old Tim Frazier never would have hit that shot....or even taken it. But a new Tim Frazier is starting to form right in front of our eyes. Frazier connected, and is proving he could be the difference in not only getting PSU to the tournament, but helping them make a run. 51-38 PSU
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9:06 Getting closer and closer to accomplishing mission impossible. Finally starting to give into Nittany Nation's motto and starting to "believe." Talor Battle is absolutely unconscious from behind the arc and Jeff Brooks just chipped in with a huge three from the corner as well. Can't let up now but MSU is visibly frustrated, as apparent by their shooting woes. 49-35 PSU!!!!
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11:39: Talor Battle is ON FIRE. He has scored twelve points in the last two and a half minutes as the loyal Nittany Nation crowd chants his name from the nosebleeds. Frazier is continuing to play solid basketball, but really it has been the Talor Battle show this entire half. Keep an eye out though for those Michigan State shooters. this game can tighten up awfully quickly. 42-35 PSU
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15:28: Starting to smell the Big Dance? Just remember, Michigan State got off to an 11-2 run to start this game and look at the score now. That being said, couldn't ask for a much better start if you're a Penn State fan. The Nits are currently on an 8-0 run and clearly have all the momentum in the world. Talor Battle is heating up from distance, which can prove to be very bad news for Sparty. Crucial development was Draymond Green picking up his third foul, and Tom Izzo deciding to leave him in the game. DJ Jackson also staying in with three fouls as well. We all know who has the deeper front court though.... 36-29 PSU
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HALFTIME: After twenty minutes, we are looking at the same differential as before it started. Penn State has been playing outstanding defense after Michigan State's 11-2 run to start the game. The positives for Penn State are two-fold. Eight forced turnovers and 11 points from Tim Frazier. Neither of those were expected coming into this one. Still a lot that can be improved upon. In typical PSU fashion, scoring is only a select few are contributing on the scoreboard. Four players account for all of Penn State's points. Frazier has 11, Battle with eight, Brooks has chipped in five while Jermaine Marshall had a bucket as well. PSU needs to spread out the scoring a bit more in the second half, particularly down low. Jones and Jackson both sat with foul trouble, but still should have been able to contribute a few points apiece.

Penn State needs to work the ball inside, and needs to continue to play aggressive defense. Michigan State 4/6 from three point land. The Lions have done a great job at preventing them from taking threes in the first place since the start of the game, and need to continue to do so. 26-26
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3:34: We are tied. Penn State is still sticking with the zone defense, but playing very aggressively. Forcing turnovers in a way that is leading to easy fast break points. Tim Frazier and Battle are proving to be a great tag-team, which has led to 11 points so far for Frazier. More analysis to come at half time. 21-21
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7:47: As our fearless leader, Mike, tweeted, "It's like they're playing like a real basketball team!" Ladies and gentlemen, don't cross PSU off yet. Since that 11-2 run to start the game, Penn State has outscored michigan State 13-4. Jeff Brooks hit a big open three, and Jermaine Marshall showed the confidence to penetrate into the lane for the layup. Seems like he may be a key piece of the puzzle for the future, and could take over for Battle as the leader of this team next year. Michigan State started out the game scoring on six of the first eight possessions, but Lion D has started to step it up. Still playing zone, wonder how that'll fair against MSU once they start hitting from the perimeter again. 19-15 MSU
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11:58: Second media timeout: Jim Nantz may not be a math wiz (Tim Frazier has seven points not eight) but regardless, you gotta love Frazier's confidence so far. Went up against the trees for the putback early on, and stepped up with two big time jumpers to keep PSU in this game. But still, Battle and Frazier have all ten of the team's points. Jackson is on the bench with two fouls and Penn State is now going with a three guard lineup. Pressure is on Brooks and Drew Jones to provide a significant low post presence. 16-10 MSU
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14:36: First media timeout. Penn State has finally started to generate some semblance of an offense since Ed called a timeout. First Tim Frazier connected on a long two pointer, and then Battle connected on a catch-and-shoot three pointer on the team's next possession. Good to see Frazier is starting to get more confidence in his shot and offensive game in general, but the backcourt needs to start stepping up on defense. Michigan State is really shooting well right now, and PSU will have to start playing some tight man-to-man defense pretty soon in order to defend the perimeter shot. 14-7 is the current score.
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16:20: Well PSU could not have gotten off to a worse start. Michigan State is getting open shots and knocking them down. Novel concept isn't it. Durrell Summers has six points after connecting on two open threes. And MSU is getting out on Battle on defense. PSU needs to step it up. Quickly.
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Closing in on tip-off! Seth Davis says Penn State must win this game to make the tournament. Can't say I disagree. 14 is a lot of losses. What do you guys think?
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Dear CBS, don't assume anything. Looks like Ohio State is gonna pull this one out, but moving OSU up in the bracket proved to be premature to say the least.
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We're closing in on tipoff with only five minutes left in this Oiho State game, and the Buckeyes are starting to pull away. Man are they looking like a final four team right now. Brackets are not released yet, but I got a feeling they'll be my last team standing.
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Don't put that hideous Land Grant Trophy away just yet. Sparty and the Nittany Lion clash one last time this afternoon in what many believe is a game Penn State must have to clinch an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Dick Vitale called yesterday's 36-33 victory over Wisconsin a "Joe Pa W" on twitter. Too bad we all know PSU football doesn't score that many points in conference games.

I'll be blogging throughout this afternoon's game between Penn State and Michigan State. But since this game is on CBS, and you all in likelihood will be able to watch, it will be more reactionary posts and analysis rather than detailed play by play.

GO STATE!

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