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Host Nick Lundberg discusses women's soccer winning the Big Ten Conference championship and the MSU vs. Michigan football game with Impact recurring guest Joe DesVergnes.
The State News sports reporters discuss all MSU sports.
Nick Lundberg 0:10
Welcome back, everyone. My name is Nick Lundberg and this is the Sports Roundtable your end the week sports update on all things Michigan State. Live from Impact Station here at Holden Hall, I'm with Joe Des. Thanks for joining me again after last week, Joe.
Joe DesVergnes 0:22
Yeah, I'm excited to be here yet again. It's gonna be a great time.
Nick Lundberg 0:24
Yes, sir.
Nick Lundberg 0:25
So I want to jump into the hottest team on campus, which is the women's soccer team. Since we last talked, they beat number 17, Ohio State one nil last week and then they continue that streak and beat number 14 Rutgers one nil on Sunday, and these two wins help them claim their first outright Big Ten championship since 1994. Although it's not officially recognized by the conference, it was recognized by MSU. But you know, it's still a championship regardless, there were a ton of awards given out Debeau won National Player of the Week for the first MSU player since 2008 to do so, Lauren Kozal and Regan Cox cleaned up on big ten goalie of the week, and Regan, won big ten Defensive Player of the Week. This is Kozal's fifth goalie of the week this season, which ties the career the big ten career record in a season with that with five.
Nick Lundberg 1:16
And then this is MSU second defensive player in a week in a row after Sam White, got it last week and they finished conference play undefeated at 901. They wrapped up the regular season at 14 one and three, they'll head into Big Ten's play this weekend against Minnesota on Sunday at home at four and another national TV game there third of the year, I believe but this team, I just can't say enough about what Jeff Hosler has done this season. And you know, hopes are insanely high going into the Big Ten tournament.
Joe DesVergnes 1:46
Yeah, going undefeated and Big Ten play this year didn't give them enough confidence all those awards are gonna get a massive confidence boost. They're coming in in this game against blue with Minnesota. This weekend, they were ready for this. They have the confidence all in the world. They have won last season Arkansas a little bit early in the season. They ignore that this point, they're gonna be ready for this matchup.
Nick Lundberg 2:04
Yeah throughout the Big Ten conference play they only tie, they only had one draw. And I mean, having no losses over the span of 10 games heading into your conference tournament. That's got to be, you got to be coming in thinking that, Oh, we can be anyone in this tournament this like it's ours to lose, basically.
Joe DesVergnes 2:24
Yeah, obviously MSU's ranked team, but when you're beating other ranked teams in the country also that gives you a massive confidence boost as well, that makes you really realize like we can compete with the best and we are the best of the best right now. They obviously as we keep mentioning undefeated in the Big Ten, this Big Ten tournament is gonna be very fun to watch for MSU.
Nick Lundberg 2:40
And I mean, they can't come into this tournament overconfident because there are a lot of very good teams in the Big 10. As we've seen, throughout this past year, the number of ranked teams they've been in the Big Ten alone is just is a very high number. And you can't come into a tournament like this with amount of these good teams thinking we're just going to wipe the slate with everyone you got to come in and still be focused and I know Jeff Hosler is always preached that his goals are day to day you just want to make the best out of each day, which I believe is the best philosophy to have. And I think that they'll come in with that philosophy but um, you just have to be wary of not being overconfident. Even with all the awards and all the recognition coming in, even though it's deserved, but you still can't let that make you lose sight of you know, what's what's ahead.
Joe DesVergnes 3:29
You can't look past the opponent obviously, I imagined that there was gonna take this as another game. Obviously, there's a little bit of extra confidence like we mentioned before, but overall God has put that in the back door and nor throughout the game. And leading up to this are gonna be practically it's a regular opponent.
Nick Lundberg 3:42
And if they beat Minnesota this weekend, they'll head on to Columbus to finish out that Big Ten tournament after that we have the NCAA tournament. So it's going to be interesting, seeing how after, they basically didn't make the tournament last season because their strength, their strength of schedule. According to the NCAA wasn't tough enough, even though they had they finished with 10 wins. So this year, they're definitely in the running for it. But this Big Ten tournament is just the next step towards that NCAA tournament berth.
Joe DesVergnes 4:11
Yeah, when you view it from just tournament play alone, it looks like there's a massive turn around the season even though it's 10 wins last year. It's not bad all the 14 wins one loss three ties, like you can't really beat that now they should be really really can't deny them tournament spot for the NCAA. They had a good strike schedule this year.
Nick Lundberg 4:27
It's definitely gonna be hard to make a case against them.
Nick Lundberg 4:30
But moving on to the men's side of things in the soccer program they have on a two game losing streak right now they fell to number eight Maryland and number 13, OSU one nil and then one to two respectfully they're now, which moves them to six, seven and two on the season. And three, three and one in conference play. And they'll face Northwestern for the final game at home on Sunday at 1pm. They're, you got to say even they had they've had kind of an up and down season they had that slow start. Then they kind of built up with it to come back to 500 like we've seen and then the last two games have been, you know, tough matchups You can't come in there expecting wins against those tough opponents. But this game against an unranked Northwestern final home game of the season to bring you back to 500. You got to come in thinking we have to win this game.
Joe DesVergnes 5:16
Yeah, even though it's a game to get you just back to 500, they'd got treat this like it's a massive game, obviously, because it was just gonna bring extra hope for the next season, I'd say, if they can beat Northwestern, they're coming in next season with more momentum that they don't,
Nick Lundberg 5:28
It was impressive to see that that massive turnaround because last week, he talks about at one point, they had a chance to compete for the Big Ten Championship, even though they fell short this past weekend. But it was still good to see a team that started out so slowly, not a lot of people had a lot of confidence in them after the first month of the season, just to bring back some of that confidence when those games, the games, they should have won. And then now you're coming into the end of the season. Like you said, you want to build confidence for next year, who we don't know, after this game, what their future looks like after this, but you want to if this is your final the game of the season, you want to just come out with a win in front of your home crowd in front of your fans.
Joe DesVergnes 6:11
Yeah, it's insanely impressed with Ariel and make a turnaround like they did. As you mentioned, it's very hard to stop downward momentum, the fact that they'll be able tp turn around and now they're fighting to get back to 500. That that's a win over all the season.
Nick Lundberg 6:22
Exactly. And a team that is also kind of going down in the rankings is volleyball after they had a very hot start to the season, they've just run into a bunch of juggernauts and Big Ten. As expected with a new coach, you've got new players, like we talked about last week, there's going to be some part of the season where you know, especially against these kinds of teams that you kind of just it doesn't go well, because that's just what happens in over the weekend, they lost against number five Wisconsin and against Indiana, they've not won the game in a long time. And I feel like these next few games coming down the stretch, you gotta get at least one to build some of that confidence up for next year. But any volleyball match in the Big Ten is gonna be a tough one.
Joe DesVergnes 7:07
Yeah no, there's so many tough opponents in the Big Ten, I believe Wisconsin to win the Big Ten title last years was obviously a very tough game ranked fifth in the nation. It's pretty fair if they dropped that one. But yeah, as you mentioned, the very hot start six wins straight to start the season. Now there are seven games slide, they definitely need to at least get one to correct the ship kind of get more confidence throughout the season, and probably bank more on next year in the end. Yeah.
Nick Lundberg 7:33
And with such a young team and a young coach, it's easy to lose confidence. It seems like when things aren't going your way, but you just gotta keep you know, keep your head on straight and keep grinding through the rest of the season. Even though you're have some more tough matchups coming forward, you just got to keep your head down, you know, as Mel Tucker loves to say keep chopping, and hopefully come out with a couple of wins to build some confidence for next year. Because then this season is kind of, you know, who knows what's gonna happen with over these next few matches, but biggest thing is building confidence, especially with a young team. And like I said, a young coach for the next seasons going forward.
Joe DesVergnes 8:13
Yeah, having a first year coach, this is just gonna really be what sets the tone. I feel like for the next couple of years for what happens this year, will God dictate what happens for the next few years, I don't think it's gonna be the exact same record wise, but she can finish strong, I believe next year, we'll start off strong.
Nick Lundberg 8:26
And I believe with her first year so far, I would say she's had a good, she's had a solid outing, even though obviously, as of late, it's been Leah Johnson, is who I'm talking about. But as of late, it's been rough. But she's won the game. So you're expected to win. And with a young team, a lot of new players, a lot of movement, obviously, any first year coach and coaching staff is going to have some tough times, especially against the Big Ten. But I believe that she's built a solid foundation for the coming years. And I'm excited to see the direction of the volleyball program. Hopefully, she can get it up to the standard of other Big Ten volleyball programs, as we know, as we've seen that standard is very, very high.
Joe DesVergnes 9:09
Yeah, I think that there's definitely a chance that she will because one thing it's first year for so this year is kind of just implementing her new system, getting the team more cohesive together. And it's kind of building up the team's trust in her. So after this year when she has her system fully in place. That's when we're gonna see her actually coach to the team.
Nick Lundberg 9:24
Exactly.
Nick Lundberg 9:25
And moving on to a team that doesn't have any questions that the coach is basketball and Tom Izzo. They had a scrimmage against Tennessee on the road over the weekend, not much was posted about I couldn't find really any besides the highlight clips that MSU basketball posts, I couldn't really find anything else. But the scores seemed to remain close and some of the pictures I saw in the the season starts very soon for them and for women's basketball. They have their first exhibition, actually this weekend, but it was good to see basketball team that our men's basketball team coming in that you know, doesn't have the highest expectations and especially with that huge like we talked about that juggernaut non conference schedule but to hold your own in a scrimmage against a very good team in Tennessee with a very good coach and on the road no less is you know, a good sign.
Joe DesVergnes 10:12
Yeah, definitely a good way to start the season. I imagine they didn't want to publicize too too much about the scrimmage said that like people gonna get ready for the season because there's still a lot more to come. I definitely am excited to see how this team goes. A lot of young players and a lot of talent. They're returning a good mix of veterans in there as well. Very excited to see how Tom Izzo leads his team.
Nick Lundberg 10:29
And I saw some highlights of you know, Joey Hauser hitting some threes Malik Hall, I believe, hit a three, Hoggard was in there a little bit too. Walker was making some moves. So it was good to see some of those highlights of guys especially, I'm really looking forward to seeing what Joey Hauser does this year because Izzo has absolutely raved, we talked about this last week as well. But it was absolutely raved about him over the offseason. He looks a lot leaner a lot more fluid offensively his he's moving a lot better. And I think I really think that his position is just to keep them on the outside on the perimeter because his money is where his three is. And if you put them down low, even though he might have to spend some time down there with the lack of frontcourt depth, he's not as good as he would be outside on the perimeter. We saw that in the Davidson game, like we talked about last week. But I was it's I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does and where they put him this year.
Joe DesVergnes 11:25
Oh, no, 100%. If Tom was talking to him up, I'm excited to see how it plays on the floor. I imagine that their guy, as you mentioned, let him space the floor a lot more this year, because that is where our strength lies. So if he can get that as his main position, where he's just basically spacing big, that is gonna be really exponential first growth this year.
Nick Lundberg 11:42
Yep. And then they start their season on November 1 against Grand Valley and an exhibition. And that's only a couple weeks away.
Nick Lundberg 11:50
But moving on to hockey who had a pretty big weekend. Over the weekend, they swept Long Island, three to one and eight to four. The game where they won eight to four was their most goal scored since 2013. And since that, Jagger, Joshua and big 10/3 Star honors for a four point weekend, and he had his first career hat trick. And that eight to four wins. So it was good to see a player like Joshua, get going like that and help the team you know, move to four and two on the season.
Joe DesVergnes 12:18
Yeah, I actually was watching my game. And what seemed to happen is both teams scored a lot, obviously. But anytime Long Island scored, we would respond just almost immediately believe there was a point where it was about four three, it seemed like they might have come back mounting soon, we ended up scoring like three or four straight goals. And with eight goals total. This team is very strong. I believe they're ready for the matchups of Notre Dame,
Nick Lundberg 12:40
And it's good to see a team and with another first year head coach like the volleyball program, Adam Nightingale, on hockey, but it's good to see it seem like you said respond like that when you know, your backs are, you know, starting to more move more closer to the wall when you know they're closing the gap, the four three gap and then just come out and explode. And you know, shut them down. It's good to see it seemed like that a younger team with a lot of new faces and a new coach respond the way they did.
Joe DesVergnes 13:06
Yeah, a lot of times a young team, obviously first year head coach, they can get back in that corner and kind of fold and end up losing the game and they split the series, which overall would still be a win. But they didn't do that they swept the series, they won two games in a row. They did a great job this weekend.
Nick Lundberg 13:21
And they've got two big games coming up this weekend against Notre Dame both on the road. The first one is tonight at 7:30 p.m. So it's this is kind of besides the UMass Lowell home matchup, this is kind of Nightingale's first big test, at least big road test. And I'm interested to see how the team is going to come out especially with a young team after you sweep a team you're supposed to beat.
Nick Lundberg 13:48
Sometimes that confidence can get you cocky. And I mean, we all know that Notre Dame as a household name in any sport, and not even if they're not ranked in hockey, but going into Notre Dame, it's gotta get you excited, but you can't lose your grip on how you should play going into that game. Because if you come in with, you know, you think you're you think you're all that and then you play a solid team like Notre Dame is on the road, bad things can happen. So I'm interested to see how a young team with a young coach is going to come in after a pretty big weekend tonight.
Joe DesVergnes 14:22
No, I'm very interested to see as well because as you mentioned, it could be a little bit of a trap game because obviously, when you're coming off in a gold game, you're kind of thing you can do that against everybody. That might not be the same for the Fighting Irish this weekend. I am excited to see how they end up standing up against them. And I think it's gonna be a very nice matchup to watch.
Nick Lundberg 14:39
And then as we all know, we've got a huge huge football game this weekend. I'm excited even though I'll be there. I know that the game Michigan, MSU will be an ABC at 7:30 p.m. Sean McDonough who the play by play guy who announced the trouble with the snap will be calling it so it's be good to hear his voice on a Michigan State game again.
Nick Lundberg 14:58
But for both teams it's not just Michigan State, Michigan had a bye week this one as well. I believe that in particular for Michigan State that this bye week is very key because as we talked about we have had a lot of injuries this season. And with you know Xavier Henderson was limping and that Wisconsin game a little bit so this gives some time it was sleds first game back against Wisconsin. Those are two key cogs and the defense gives Thorne a little bit of time to rest up with the bye week. Other guys who have may be you know, banged up a little bit it's by we came honestly at the perfect time for this program.
Joe DesVergnes 15:34
Yeah, I agree completely. I was about to say the perfect timing because we finally started getting their footing back so that they would have a little bit of confidence arcing in this game, because if we lost the Wisconsin game, this match will be a lot more scary.
Joe DesVergnes 15:44
Yeah, people are counting on her and MSU right now, though, I believe it was Sports Illustrated said that Michigan has a 90.8% chance to win the game in their last year and won. I imagine that we didn't have the biggest chance last year either. I'm excited to see this matchup I definitely think could go either way. One matchup I want to really focus on is going to be Michigan's really dominant run defense and then Michigan State's 125th Rushing offense. So I think it's gonna be mostly a passing game this week.
Nick Lundberg 16:09
Yeah. I think that the only true advantage Michigan State has on Michigan and any side of the ball besides Bryce Baringer, he's the best player in the country. But the only true advantage Michigan State has over Michigan I believe, is the receivers versus their defensive backs because Michigan's deep their defensive backs are good, but I believe that Michigan like Keon Coleman, Jayden Reed, Tre Mosley are just a little bit of a step ahead of them. And I believe that Throne is really going to need to hammer on that fact, if this team wants to stay in this game, because like you said, the run game has not been the best for MSU and then pair that with Michigan's pretty solid run defense could be a recipe for you know, not many yards on the ground. Unless Thorne and that passing attack can really, you know, step up and keep MSU in the game.
Joe DesVergnes 17:04
Yeah, if Throne comes in poise this week, you can hit Jayden Reed, hit Keon Coleman on the deeper outs. I really think this matchup could be a lot closer people are expecting.
Nick Lundberg 17:12
Yeah, and obviously it's a rivalry game. It's rivalry week, it's hate week MSU is heard the noise. They had their media availability earlier this week. And they were talking just about how this is not just another game. You know, everyone knows about the history. They talked about bulletin board material they see everything that's being said online so you know MSU is going to come in with a chip on his shoulder they're hearing the noise Michigan you know, is respectively deserved all this hype that they're getting because they've just you know, ransacked opponents this this whole season, but Michigan State coming in with something to prove I think that you know, they'll play up to a standard that you know, there they can play but I just I don't know. I really think Michigan is a juggernaut.
Joe DesVergnes 17:58
Yeah, this is gonna be a very tough team to be obviously undefeated. So far this season, there have been blowouts week after week. It's been pretty terrifying to watch. But I do think since there's the battle for Michigan, there's gonna be a little bit extra kind of passion for both teams in those games. So it could go either way in the end.
Nick Lundberg 18:12
Yeah. And one thing that Michigan State will need to do to keep themselves in the game as limit that explosive run offense from Michigan. We know about their offensive line how you know solid they are and Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards we talked about last week had massive games against Penn State but I mean I honestly I feel like anyone could have massive games against anyone like I could go out there and have 100 yards and a touchdown with that offensive line.
Nick Lundberg 18:41
They absolutely just move people and that's what I'm most nervous about because and that's why I said such a big thing with the bye week is Jacob Slade coming back because we as we know he is that cog in the middle for that run defense and without him this game, I would not see any way of us limiting them without him but having him back and giving time for guys like Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow to kind of you know, get rest in between the game and come in because we know they can make plays as well. But having slid in there, it's just so big for that defense, especially against a team with such a heavy run heavy offense like Michigan.
Joe DesVergnes 19:20
Yeah you need a run stopper like Slade, the fact that we're getting them back after the bye week is massive for this defense. That whole D line is gonna be playing their minds out if they want to win this game. One thing they want to mention this last year, we're obviously very lucky that Kenneth Walker he's been going off in the NFL, well, 116 yards to touched or 168 yards actually I meant to say in two touchdowns this past weekend. 6.1 yards per carry so far this season, and he has scored a touchdown. Every game you start he's representing the Spartans nicely in the NFL right now.
Nick Lundberg 19:48
Yes, sir. It's great to see K nine. living up to that hype coming out of the draft and I hear every talks now and then about Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, you know, they're bad other than it's just obviously just Michigan dancer, but they're they're better than k nine. No, no, no, no, this guy, Kenneth Walker, especially after, like, if last year wasn't enough for them five touchdowns with that offensive line. And then you've got I mean, obviously Corum and Edwards are very good players and but Michigan's O line. I'm just, I can only imagine the things k nine could have done last year if he had Michigan's O line because those guys just pave just airplane runways for their running backs. It's it's crazy. And I mean, we saw what canine did last year and what he's been doing in the NFL, like you said. So obviously last year was you know, no, no joke.
Joe DesVergnes 20:43
Yeah, it was not an anomaly at all. 18 touchdowns rushing one receiving touchdown. He is just a nose for the endzone he great running back 100%. I'm the fact that he's doing this good with the Seahawks. Right now, Geno Smith that quarterback. That whole team is mind blowing at this point.
Nick Lundberg 20:57
Yeah.
Nick Lundberg 20:58
But something I thought that was interesting. During media availability was Jacoby Windmon took the stand. Obviously, he's the team's cap. He's been the captain every single week. This year, he's the defensive leader of the team. And he's every time he steps out there, it seems like he makes a play. But he talked about this week being a good time to run their four, three defense, especially with the ability of Michigan to run the ball like they have been this year.
Nick Lundberg 21:23
So I'm interested to see how they come out in that system. They've, they he talked about them having practiced in the spring, summer and fall. And then they've had to make adjustments for you know, the type of opponents they've played. But it's kind of it's reassuring to see them come into a game where they know what defense they're going to run. They're familiar with it. And obviously, because that's been a big problem all year is the secondary and the defense itself with the injuries and everything, but it's good to see or it's good to know that they're going to be confident out there and their scheme.
Joe DesVergnes 21:58
Yeah, I am definitely excited. They actually game plan the schemes, specifically for Michigan, four three is going to allow them to actually stop on the run game and also rush the passer a little bit more. Obviously, as you mentioned earlier, though, the O line is gonna be a very tough challenge to overtake like that. When you have five big guys who are as agile on mobile as they are, it's a very tough opponent at any moment. But I'm hoping that that four three defense can come through and hopefully at least penetrate that line a little bit.
Nick Lundberg 22:25
Yeah, we hopefully we can get to see obviously Tucker likes to keep it hush hush with who's coming out there and stuff. But we haven't seen Khris Bogle, the Florida transfer who's made some plays this year, Jeff Piotroski, has been out among other players on that line. So hopefully we can get some of those guys back this week and see them but another thing I found interesting was Harlon Barnett said that this summer was the first time since I believe he said 1985 or 9095, somewhere and before this century, that which is a long time, but he is the first time he's heard U of M talking about the need to be Michigan State, I feel like this game is finally something they're going to take serious.
Nick Lundberg 23:04
And I kind of wish that this wasn't the team to believe that because obviously, this team is, you know, like we've said is very good. Compared to Michigan State. This is not Michigan State's best team. But Tucker says there, they haven't played their best football yet. And I'm interested to see what their best football looks like. If so if they can pull that off against Michigan, but it is interesting to see that they're finally starting to, you know, talk about that. They're putting us up there a little bit with Ohio State like we got it. We just got to get these guys.
Joe DesVergnes 23:35
Yeah, I think after a loss last year, they weren't expecting that too, too much. That kind of took a little bit of wind out of their sails. If we will beat them in undefeated season, that would just be a kick to the stomach for them. Yeah, they would not be feeling good after that. Yeah.
Nick Lundberg 23:49
So the spread coming in is 22 and a half in favor of U of M which I believe is honestly a pretty fair spread and night game on the road is never easy, and a rivalry game, but they asked Peyton Thorne about that. He says he doesn't care, which is probably anybody's response. And, and to that question on MSU. So it's a good thing that they're not looking too much into all the outside noise. But ultimately, I believe that MSU like we said, Will you know come to play rivalry week, they're gonna come ready, but I just I really don't see any outcome of us. Unless nothing short of a miracle. Like the trouble with the snap. Who knows, but I don't really see any outcome of us, you know, coming in there and coming back with Paul, but I would really like to, I would really like to.
Joe DesVergnes 24:38
Yeah, I'd be very happy when you're on the big house. Come back with the Paul trophy, as you mentioned.
Nick Lundberg 24:42
Yeah. So, I mean, this weekend's gonna be exciting. Not just football. We've got a lot of other stuff going on.
Nick Lundberg 24:48
So and that's about it all the time we have today. So I wanted to say thanks, Joe, for coming back. It was good to have you again.
Joe DesVergnes 24:55
Yeah, it was great time being on here yet again. There's a fun time every week.
Nick Lundberg 24:58
Yes, sir.
Nick Lundberg 24:59
And thanks. for everyone for listening and we'll see you next Friday for another edition of Sports Roundtable, peace out.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai