MSU's Feelings Hurt (re Gregg's Comments)

[AndShock]

As I recall it was (roughly) "Did the mighty Spartans lose another one?"

While I appreciate Marshall's candor and his playing the "I can't get no respect" card, he just gave motivation to any team in the B1G the Shox might run into in the postseason.

I love Maarshll's attitude, but I think it's time for him to reel it in a bit in interviews. While our players are getting known as humble, our coach is getting known as arrogant and abrasive.

IMO, it's just making our future run in March this year even better. The KUs and MSU's are going to have all the motivation and bulletin board material in the world and are still going to get pasted by the Shocks come tournament time. What will that say about their teams?

[WSUwatcher]

I'll refrain from the psychobabble about insecurity, but as I said elsewhere, Marshall's comment struck me as odd, ungracious, and unnecessary -- basically, as gloating. And what good ever comes of gloating? If he's mocking idiot sportswriters, which I believe he actually is -- and rightly so, I might add -- why not make that clear instead of talking smack about a team?

[shocksrbest]

That's twice this week. He mentioned the Spartans after the Drake game and Creighton thumping Villanova on Monday during the coaches show.

There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence and is often misinterpreted by people who don't know him well. Let the players play and let the results do the talking for us...while actions speak loudly it is sometimes the words that are remembered.

[AndShock]

These morons don't realize the comments have nothing to do with Michigan State's program and everything to do with the sportswriters who continue to downplay the Shockers.

This is the issue. People think he's singling out teams when he's actually just singling out "elite" teams that are losing. It doesn't matter who is in front of us, as long as they're in front of us and losing he's going to mention it.

[Shockthemonkey]

If you're going to talk the talk you have to walk the walk. This has been his personality since day one. Its part of the reason we as WSU fans love him so much and its also why other team's fans can't stand him. Could it motivate the other teams? I guess but the only time we'll see them is in the dance and if they're not up for that game already I'm doubting a comment or two will make that big of a difference.

On the flip side, last year in the interview when the host asked him about being not liked by other coaches HCGM got a little upset, justifiably so, but like I said at the beginning of this post, talk the talk...

He's an amazing coach and a hell of a leader for this town, this university and he is what he is. I'm glad he doesn't bite his tongue and don't mind the flack we get when he doesn't. Keep winning, it won't matter!

[Steeleshocker]

And the earliest we should play MSU would be in the sweet 16, and more likely the elite 8 or FF. If Izzo has to bust this out to motivate his players then I have seriously overestimated him as a coach.

[Shock Therapy]

Give me a good reason why any of us should care about what fans of other programs think. They pretty much hate any program that's seen as a threat. And it's not like there's negative repercussions just because they don't like us. Personally, I enjoy the hate. It makes me smile.

[Aargh]

You NEVER give your opponent a reason to want to beat you.

If you want to schedule teams from power conferences, you don't throw the BE (for what it's worth any more) or the B1G under the bus. Marshall has done both in the last week or so. You don't call Izzo's team "the mighty Spartans" after they lose a game.

Sexton is a great politician and understands how PR works, but I'm afraid Sexton isn't about to give Marshall a few friendly directions in handling interviews for fear that he may aggravate Marshall.

I appreciate candor and honesty, but there's a reason most coaches speak in nothing other than coach speak.

[jdmee]

I forget whether it was after the Drake game, but Marshall was questioning what elite program was going to bypass the Shockers this Monday. He said something like, "Did the mighty Spartans lose again!?" He knew they had lost.

The Spartan fans are predictability upset about it. Some of their comments from the message board:

"This from the pride of the Missouri Valley conference, and a coach whose team won't play a regular season game against an opponent who even SNIFFS a national ranking. LOVE to get this group in March."

Poor St Louis. You think we aren't getting any respect. They are ranked 19 and we haven't played anybody yet. Much less anybody who would even SNIFF a national ranking.

"HaHa funny they would be lucky to finish 500 in the big ten or any major conference for that matter"

Does anybody care to mention our record against those big conference schools the last few years? Lets not let them know about Ohio State, or Nebraska, or Iowa. Lets just let them believe that we couldn't compete.

"I made a post about this on the Kansas board. They are extremely knowledgable fans and are already well aware Marshall is a douche. I hope either we or Kansas throttle them if they get out of the first weekend. Izzo I am sure will hear about this comment."
"Either Kansas or MSU would jailsex the Shockers. Neutral court with all hands on deck MSU/ Kansas would be pick-em."

As long as Kansas doesn't get matched up with a team that starts with B or from the MVC, they might be able to get out of the first weekend. I would love to meet them.

"I really like watching Fred VanVleet play, sucks he plays for an idiot."

This is one of the stupidest things. I'm glad you listened to our post game show after the Drake game. Nice of you to take an interest in our team.

[shoxlax]

The edginess, the chip on his shoulder, all of that stuff is what he uses to drive our team.

It's pretty simple...we belong and until the media and fookstiks like the fanbases of the blue bloods accept this (which aint happening) it's the fuel of choice. It works, too.

While MSU and Phoghornville may not like it, I would bet the San Diego States, St. Louises, and even Murray States of the world are saying HELLLL YEAHHH!

[ISASO]

Very simple. KU fans are hiding behind the trumped-up, feigned anger of Sparty. These Jayhawk fans feel so threatened that they are trying to create alliances of hate with other fanbases. They are big talkers. They avoided WSU for 36 years, then tried to derail the '81-'82 squad with player suspensions when the NCAA (based in Overland Park at the time) did their bidding just before the NCAA Tournament. How did that work out for them? A 66-65 loss to WSU in the Sweet in a most heart-breaking manner. They are aligning the planets for yet another cosmic event of epic proportions with their monopolistic arrogance.

[KC Shox]

-sigh- GM is already struggling with his image in the Court of Public Opinion, comments like this just perpetuates this negative image unfortunately. We know 99 percent of what GM says is valid and promoting the program, but it's that one percent that is killing him. We love GM, but I also want the national public to recognize him as a great coach, not for being a jerk wad.

[AdamCC]

-sigh- GM is already struggling with his image in the Court of Public Opinion, comments like this just perpetuates this negative image unfortunately. We know 99 percent of what GM says is valid and promoting the program, but it's that one percent that is killing him. We love GM, but I also want the national public to recognize him as a great coach, not for being a jerk wad.

Co-sign.

[shockmonster]

I totally agree. Pride comes before destruction, and a boastful spirit comes before a fall. Not sure why Marshall said this. He also made some comments about Villanova during the coaches show last Monday, so I agree he needs to chill.

Shockerhoops has often in 20 previous posts been a Marshall critic.

[shoxlax]

-sigh- GM is already struggling with his image in the Court of Public Opinion, comments like this just perpetuates this negative image unfortunately. We know 99 percent of what GM says is valid and promoting the program, but it's that one percent that is killing him. We love GM, but I also want the national public to recognize him as a great coach, not for being a jerk wad.

What is your definition of the national public? MSU and KU fans? A bunch of bozos that ask the same stupid questions week in and week out after we have went 51-9 the last 1.75 years with a FF scalp? Why can't the national public be "all the little schools that never got this chance" or whatever the hell the quote in Hoosiers was?