Pre-Game Key Components for Sparty

We are hours away from one of the biggest match-ups in the history of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry in any sport. Both teams are coming in ranked in the Top 10 for the first time that I can remember(or find through research) ever. The closest was the 1999 football game where UofM came in ranked #3 and the Spartans were ranked #11. This game has huge implications in the tight B1G as we head towards the end of the regular season. It is a game chocked full of interesting match-ups on the floor, and should come down to a tight finish. Here are the key components that I feel MSU needs to pull off a win.

1. Keep Appling On The Floor- In some of the Spartans' recent games Appling has spent good amount of time on the bench in foul trouble. The Spartans will have a tough time winning this game with Appling spending more time on the bench, than on the floor. They were able to stay in the game at Indiana with a great effort from Travis Trice. However, there is a possibility that he will still be out with concussion symptoms. Denzel Valentine has done an admirable job when he's filled in, but the offense still tends to bog down with Appling not on the floor. So, Appling has to do a great job of trying to contain Trey Burke without getting into foul trouble. That will be a tall task, but as a junior, and co-captain, he has to figure out how to accomplish that.

2. From the Inside Out- This is a very simple concept that has been around since Dr. James Naismith put that peach basket up for the first time in Kansas. The game of basketball functions a lot easier in the half-court when you can work from the inside out. For MSU, that means early, and heavy doses of Adreian Payne, and Derrick Nix.

Payne is starting to show the game of a guy that could be an NBA player for a long time. He is posting strong, and making aggressive moves around the basket. The Spartans need to look to him early, and try to exploit the Wolverines down low. Nix has been a frustrating player to watch during his time at MSU. However, these last few games, he has been getting buckets at a decent clip. He has an array of post moves that are tough to guard one on one. Looking to him and Payne early will open up things on the perimeter for Appling, and Gary Harris. This will be very key for the Spartans in this game.

3. Defending the Three- The Spartans have been pretty inconsistent defensively against the three-pointer. Teams have been getting a lot of good looks from behind the arc. That can not happen against the Wolverines. They are a team that whether they want to acknowledge or not, live and die by the three. Tim Hardaway is shooting 10-17 in his last three games from there. Nik Stauskas is a shooter that you do not want to leave open, and Trey Burke can bury them as well. The Spartans have to close-out strong on the shooters early, and not let them set. Allowing any of these guys to get going could be a recipe for disaster.

4. Keep The Crowd In It- As stated earlier, this is the biggest game between these two that I can remember. The crowd at the Breslin will be ready to go at around 9 A.M. The Spartans have to capitalize and feed off that energy. A good, aggressive start will do just that. As talented as the Wolverines are, they are still a young team, and have shown that they have difficulty on the road. Quality play by the Spartans should keep the crowd involved, and have the Wolverines on their heels.

So, there you have my key components for a Spartan victory. This game has all the ingredients to be a close affair from start to finish. It is my belief that the home court advantage, and edge in experience will lead the Spartans to victory. For fun, I'll throw out a score of 77-73. Feel free to leave a comment if you agree or disagree. Feedback is always welcomed.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson Jr., and I approve this message. 

Follow me on Twitter @JimmyLWilsonJr

The One Hitter Quitter Blog

Almost 48 hours ago, Manny Pacquiao got put to sleep by Juan Manuel Marquez in the fourth installment of their epic rivalry. It was the most devastating punch we have seen since the Cleveland Bus Driver went Mortal Kombat on that young lady. People were lauding it one of the nastiest one punch knockouts ever. For the casual  boxing fan who was certainly tuned in to the fight, I am sure that was the case. As a die hard fan, I agree, but off the top of the head can think of quite a few more. I will share a few of my favorites with you in this blog. Starting with...

Ladies First- This is the nastiest knockout that I have watched live. Why I was watching this live, I have no clue, but it was on a Saturday afternoon, and when it happened I immediately jumped on the phone and called everyone I knew would appreciate it. The chick was laid on the mat for 10 minutes, and they took her out on a stretcher with her neck stabilized. I really could stop here, but the next one is...

"There's Only One"- Punch needed to make you go night night. Following his custom of fighting a guy that Floyd Mayweather was panned, and didn't get much credit for beating up, Manny Pacquiao took on Ricky Hatton. This was a very devastating knockout, and the end of what was a decent career up until this point.

"It's A Lot of Holding Going on...Yeah, a whole lot of holding"- Those were the last words that Paul Williams heard before Sergio Martinez dropped the boom on him. This one hurt me because Paul Williams was my guy. I did however love how Martinez walked away with his fist in the air as Williams was falling. That was live.

I'm Roy. He hit me so hard I forgot- This is another one of those sports moments that I'll never forget where I was when it happened. This was Roy Jones' first loss, and no one saw it coming or expected it. The room went silent like we witnessed a family member pass. Roy Jones was NEVER the same after this.

I Harlem Shake, and Scold The Ref At the Same D Time- This one is straight comedy. No description necessary. Just watch.

(High-Pitched Girly Voice) "He hit me in my leeever"- This is not the most devastating knockout, but any opportunity to see Oscar De La Hoya roll around, squirming and crying is good with me. I wish I could find the interview where he said quote in the caption.

He Knocked Down Your Girl, THEN Knocked You Out- This is not boxing, but it is from an episode of "Cheaters". This guy caught his woman cheating with the help of the show. He went to confront them, and ended up on his back with a concussion. When it comes to one hitter quitters, this is one of the best ever. The part that made it bad(and is not shown on the video) was his woman saying "Babe, why did you let him knock you out"? I hope they broke up soon as his concussion symptoms were gone, because he would never live this down.

Well, there you have a few of my favorite one hit knockouts. I am sure there are quite a few more that have happened in the boxing world. These are just the ones that came to me off the top of my head. Please add anymore boxing ones you can think of in the comment box. The last one was added because I thought it was hilarious. Please do not add any youtube or worldstar fights. I am not trying to give an outlet for ignorant ratchet behavior.

Thanks for watching, and shout out to Juan Manuel Marquez for knocking all of Pac-Man's power pellets loose the other night.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

The Guide To Delusional UofM Fans

For years, I have been battling, debating, and disrespecting Michigan fans. A lot of my friends and family from around the country ask me, "what's wrong with the Michigan fans on your Facebook page?" Usually, I just say, they are passionate about their team, and it makes them delusional. However, there are different types of delusional Michigan fans. According to studies by the JLW Institute of Sports Fans, 99.6 percent of them are delusional. With the Michigan State-Michigan game being played tomorrow, and Michigan fans continually asking me for attention, I'll gladly shed some light on them. Enjoy this glimpse into the different types of delusional Michigan Wolverine fans.

1. The Historian- This one is pretty much universal when it comes to this group of people. Ask a Michigan fan about what is happening present day, and you will get a ton of remarks about the past. During the last few Michigan State-Michigan games, we will be having conversations in person and on social networking. As soon as mention is made to Michigan State winning the game we are watching, they will quote the overall record in the rivalry. This is part of their delusion. They want you to think that anything that is happening in the present does not matter. This is the reason that coming into the State game they have been saying "State will not win again because they can't beat us this year. History proves that." They have been wrong the last three years saying that, and the thought here is that they will be again. Do not let this delusional Michigan fan get in your head and make you believe history is all that matters. He definitely will try to do so. 

2. The Quote Machine- This guy right here is absolutely hilarious. He wakes up every morning, and right after reading the book of whatever religion he is a part of, he reads from the Book of Bo Schembechler. Then, he gets on Facebook or Twitter, and puts the quote of the day from that book. Should the quote of the day from there not be profound enough, he will get on the "Support Brady Hoke As Coach" page on Facebook, and take a quote or picture from there. Again, absolutely funny stuff to me. How about you come up with an original idea, and stop spewing quotes from other people. That junk is corny, and makes it look like you can not think on your own. Do not let this delusional Michigan fan get in your head, and make you think the quotes are all that matter. He will definitely try to do so. 

3. Social Network Stalker- This dude is not now, nor has he ever, been a Michigan student. Yet, he is Facebook friends with current players from all sports. Now, I can understand loyalty to a school that you did not go to. Can not knock you for that, because I have not gone to Michigan State(yet). However, to be almost thirty years old, and friends on Facebook with guys who play for your favorite college is slightly creepy. Not only are you their friends, but you like the pictures and statuses they post? That makes you almost certifiable. There will not be a caution to other people to not let this Michigan fan get into your head. Most people reading this are not crazy enough to send out these types of friend requests. However, if you are a Michigan fan, and find yourself in this predicament, please either unfriend the players, or seek professional help. 

4. MSU Is Irrelevant Guy- This guy is well represented in the 99.6 percent. He will spend all football off-season talking about how irrelevant Michigan State is. He will tell you that MSU is their third rival behind Ohio State and Notre Dame. Yet, as soon as the season starts, he is watching MSU games like a hawk and commenting on how they are looking. All the games that MSU plays against common opponents will be seen as a barometer for how UofM will play against that team. This guy will actually cheer openly for whatever team MSU is playing against. This happens before the MSU-UofM game, and after. Yet, scroll down their timeline, and you do not see any references to OSU or ND. That makes it hard for me to believe that MSU is as irrelevant as you claim. They may be seen in the eyes of some, as your third rival, but constantly mentioning them and they are irrelevant to you is delusional. Do not let this guy get into your head. He will definitely try to do so. 

5. Blame It ALL on Rich Rod Guy- This guy is my absolute favorite. Not only does he blame every loss, or bad play made during a game on Rich Rodriguez, he blames all his personal issues on him. Wife or girlfriend leaves him, it is Rich Rod's fault. Late for work, it is Rich Rod's fault. Kids get a bad grade, it is Rich Rod's fault. This dude really needs to get a grip honestly. The same players that they blame Rich Rod for getting when they lose, are the same players that win games for them. So, are the wins Rich Rod's fault too? Now, I will acknowledge, his coming there was a hit to the program. However, he has been gone two years. Time to stop blaming every loss, Denard Robinson interception, and your breakfast being nasty on him. It is corny, and shows your delusion. Do not let this guy get into your head. He will definitely do so. 

Well, there are about five more different delusional guys in relation to Michigan fans, but I believe, I have highlighted the most prevalent. By the time the Michigan State-Michigan game is over, you will see how delusional they are. They are high on the hog right now, and expecting a Wolverine blowout. That is absolutely absurd, and personally I can not wait to tell them about themselves after the game. Until then, I hope this has shed some light on the different types of delusion that I deal with in regards to UofM fans. Next time you see a conversation between myself, and one of them it should make a little more sense. 

Hope this was enough attention for you guys. Have a great day, and Go Green. 

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Follow me on Twitter @JimmyLWilsonJr

To My Fellow State Fans

Michigan State-Michigan week is finally here. Right behind opening week of March Madness, and the first week of the NFL season, this is my favorite week of the year. Michigan fans have taken my subtle jabs through the year as disrespect. They really have not seen anything yet. However, before I get to them, I would like to address my Spartan fans.

As we head into this game, the Spartans are clearly reeling. For the whole season, they have looked sub-par. They have yet to play close to the expectations that were set for them by the media, and the fanbase. The offense has been pedestrian, the defense has been solid, but not as dominating as expected. This has caused all types of disdain, anger, and potential for a fan mutiny. There have even been some Spartan fans claiming that this game against UofM is automatically a loss, I urge you to please relax with all of that.

You see, for the last three years we were spoiled. The Spartans played above their heads for a few years, and had some great seasons. This lead the fanbase to get confident, outspoken, and even have a few bandwagon people jump on. What can not happen is Spartan fans running for the hills because the team is struggling right now. That is what people expect from this fanbase. To be a front-running group of people, who are loud and supportive when the good times are there, and quiet, when the chips are down. That can not be the case right now. Especially during this week.

Fact of the matter is, State does not have to play a perfect game to be Michigan. Denard Robinson has looked great the last couple of weeks. The Wolverine defense has been impressive. However, some perspective is needed. Purdue, and Illinois are not exactly world beaters. Denard Robinson has not been pressured at all the last couple of weeks. He has been able to run all over those two defenses. There is a part of me that believes the Spartans in a rivalry game will find a way defensively to contain Robinson and force a few mistakes.

Part of me also believes that the Wolverine defense can be had too. The Spartans offensive playcalling has left a ton to be desired. This is the week to let it all hang out. You are going on the road, playing a team that will be favored, and they are your rival. There is no excuse for the Spartans to come out with the three yards, and a cloud of dust offense. The same aggressive attack that was played against Ohio State needs to be seen this Saturday. Get these dudes on the ropes, and watch Denard give the game away. Do not play conservative, and hope for the defense to keep you in it. Come out aggressive, and let the chips fall where they may.

As a Spartan fan, there have been plenty of years where I knew that UofM was the superior team. There have been plenty of years where I conceded victory the week before the game. This year is not one of them. This team can be beat by the Spartans. The Spartans have looked bad all season. UofM has looked pretty good(against inferior competition), but anyone who thinks they have arrived, or are a great team is sadly mistaken.

So, I implore all my fellow State fans, do not give these people what they want. Do not say "oh yeah, you guys are going to kill us". Do not concede victory to them before the game is even played. Should you choose to do that, please stay off the bandwagon entirely. Do not get on Facebook or Twitter during the week acting like State is going to lose, then after they win, get on talking about you knew it was going to happen. Those types of fans are not needed. So, if you are rocking with State rock with them, if you are not, please head to the nearest Wal-Mart, get you one of those ugly shirts, and cheer for Michigan.

Now that I have addressed my fellow Spartan fans, with the hopes that they will listen, and wear their Green and White proud this week. It is time for me to get my Loaded Lux on, and let the Michigan fans know "y'all going to get this work". Stay tuned, and Go Green, Go White, Go State.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Follow me on Twitter @JimmyLWilsonJr

Brett Favre-SB Ring-Media Pass=Tony Romo

Tony Romo channeled his inner Paul Wall Monday night, and had the "internet going nuts" with his five interception(two of which were returned for touchdowns) performance in the Bears-Cowboys game Monday night. Cowboy fans were lamenting his play. Non-Cowboy fans were being dismissive with their comments. This writer even got on the fun, because he was the sole reason I lost my fantasy matchup last week. However, my final thought on Facebook was Brett Favre minus the Super Bowl ring and media pass equals Tony Romo.


Watching Tony Romo can be painful at times. Myself, and many others are on record as saying the Cowboys can never win a Super Bowl ring with him at quarterback. However, they Cowboys do not have a lot of options behind him, and can not make a move in another direction. Winning a Super Bowl may not even change the feelings that people have for Romo. However, that is something that he needs to do, and maybe it will buy him a pass to make mistakes. Just ask Brett Favre.

Favre and the Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl on January 26, 1997. From that day on, every mistake, throw forced into coverage, and off-field issue was forever forgiven. He would throw the ball off the wrong foot, with four guys from the other team around his receiver, get it intercepted, and the commentators would say "That's just Brett being Brett". Any other questionable pass he threw would be attributed to him being "The Gunslinger".  They would comment on his excitement after a good play as "child-like enthusiasm".  It was really annoying, and cheesy for people who were not fans of Favre.

In the years after he won his Super Bowl, Favre was still the media darling regardless of his actions. He waited until he was good and ready to decide if he was going to play, thus holding the Vikings hostage regarding their quarterback position. He was involved in a scandal while playing with the New York Jets, that was swept under the rug. He broke the record for the most interceptions in the history of the NFL, but that fact is glossed over because he also has thrown the most touchdowns. For every game winning drive he orchestrated, he threw a game-changing interception(including in his final game against the Saints in 2008). Yet, all you hear about is how great he was. This is due to his Super Bowl ring, media pass.

Some of the same people that are on TV, and social media destroying Tony Romo, have never said a cross word about Favre. While Favre may be a better quarterback than Romo, a lot of the same traits that Favre is lauded for, are the same ones they destroy Romo for. Throws that were "fearless" by Favre, are considered poor by Romo. Interceptions that were attributed to "Brett being Brett" with a chuckle are considered another reason that Romo is not really a good quarterback. Brett Favre sending naked pics, choosing when he comes to training camp, and alcohol/prescription pill addictions were moved to the back page. Meanwhile Romo's dating choices, and bye week vacations are considered a distraction, and another reason he can not improve. That Super Bowl ring, and media pass is a mean deterrent for criticism isn't it?

This is a blog that will probably be considered "hate" against Brett Favre. Along with his media pass, he has firmly been entrenched in the club of athletes that you can not say anything bad about without being a "hater". However, the goal of this blog is to show my opinion that while Tony Romo is a flawed, mistake-filled quarterback, he is not too much different from Favre. It is also to show, that we as fans need to not fall for the media pump-fake, and accept all the passes that they give. A Super Bowl ring buys players(quarterbacks especially) a pass for the rest of their career, and it is ridiculous. Yet, Favre has lived off of his forever, and probably will.

So, next time you sit down to watch a Cowboys game, and get upset about plays Romo is making, remember, your hero Favre used to make those same throws. It is cheesy to act like we have not seen this before from a top quarterback just because you are a fan of his. I am not a fan of Romo or the Cowboys, but part of me hopes he one day wins big just to see how the media, and fans will treat him after. That probably will not happen, but I definitely would be fun to see if people would agree that Tony Romo plus a Super Bowl ring and media pass equals Brett Favre.

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message. 

NFL Week 3 Picks

Last week I went 9-7 with my picks. That has me after two weeks with an overall record of 21-11. This week due to trying to handle some other articles, and blogs, I won't be able to give a breakdown of the three games that intrigue me the most. Here though are my picks for all of the games this week. Feel free to comment, and let me know which, if any you disagree with.

Giants@Panthers- Panthers
Rams@Bears- Bears
Bills@Browns- Bills
Buccaneers@Cowboys- Cowboys
Lions@Titans- Lions
Jaguars@Colts- Colts
Jets@Dolphins- Jets
49ers@Vikings- 49ers
Chiefs@Saints- Saints
Bengals@Redskins- Redskins
Texans@Broncos- Texans
Eagles@Cardinals- Eagles
Falcons@Chargers- Chargers
Steelers@Raiders- Steelers
Patriots@Ravens- Ravens
Packers@Seahawks- Packers

NFL Week Two Picks

Last week the NFL began its 16 week grind towards the playoffs. Last week also marked the start of my weekly picks for the games. After a 12-4 week one, I'm off to a solid start. Let's see if we can keep this up for week two. Here are the three games that intrigue me most, and my picks for the rest of week two.

1. Lions @ 49ers- This game is a rematch of a great game between these two teams last season. It also pits my favorite team against the team that represents the state I am from. So, there is a ton of excitement for this matchup for me. 

Last week the Niners went into Green Bay and knocked the Packers 30-22, in a game that I was ridiculed for picking the Niners to win. The defense was able to harass Aaron Rodgers all day, and keep the Packers offense from looking as great as it did last season. The offense showed a great balance, that is lost on most people with the NFL currently a pass-happy league. The Niners are being talked about as a Super Bowl contender by many, and did nothing to disprove that week one. 

The Lions pulled out an ugly 27-23 home win over the Rams in week one. Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, but made up for it with an impressive two-minute drive to win the game. This was hardly the debut for a team that is on their way back up the NFL ladder. The defense did a great job of negating the picks thrown by Stafford and keeping the Lions close enough to pull out the late win. 

These teams are coached by two of the most intense coaches in the league. Their teams exhibit that same intensity, and play a very physical brand of football. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Niners are just a touch more intense, and physical than they are, which will result in a home win for the Niners. 

2. Bears @ Packers- As noted earlier, the Packers lost at home to San Francisco last week. They come back on a short week, for a Thursday home game against the Bears. This one is huge for them, because going to 0-2 in the NFC North will be a tough hole to climb out of. Aaron Rodgers, and the offense should be able to move the ball, and get points against the Bears. The defense, which was picked apart by the Niners, will have to step up and make plays. The front office made a lot of moves to improve the D, but they have to start paying dividends soon so the Packers can stay afloat in the NFC North. 

The Bears ruined the debut of Andrew Luck with at 41-21 home win against the Colts. Jay Cutler took advantage of his reunion with Brandon Marshall, and put up very good numbers. The Bears displayed a potentially explosive offense that could be fun to watch as the season goes on. The defense bothered Luck all day. He was sacked three times, lost a fumble, and threw three interceptions. They will need to be that aggressive with Aaron Rodgers to get a win against the Packers. 

This game is really a toss-up, but I'm going with the Packers at home. They need this game in a bad way, and I believe they will score enough points to keep themselves out of the NFC North basement this week. 

3. Ravens @ Eagles- The Eagles escaped what would have been the ugliest loss of week one against the Browns with a 17-16 win in Cleveland. Michael Vick threw four interceptions, and opened the door for his detractors to claim he is a horrible quarterback he is. Their playcalling left a lot to be desired. Why throw the ball fifty-six times in a close game, and you have LeSean McCoy on your team? The Eagles are a team that placed high expectations on themselves. They must have better performances from their players and coaches to reach those. Playing how they did in Cleveland will leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time. 

The Ravens put on a totally different display on the Monday Night Football stage. They dismantled the Bengals 44-13 in their home opener. Joe Flacco looked like he is ready to take the next step as a quarterback. Ray Rice scored two touchdowns and only had ten carries. The defense showed the dominance that has been typical for years. Ed Reed got a pick six, and broke the record for most interception return yards. Ray Lewis had fourteen tackles, including eleven solo, and looked like he drank from the fountain of youth in the offseason. As always, come the playoffs, the Ravens will be a huge factor. 

The Ravens offense played at a high level in the preseason, and that carried over to the first game. There is no reason to expect that to slow down. The defense will pressure Vick and the Eagles defense into mistakes, and that will be enough or a Ravens road win. 

Those are the three games that I'm looking forward to. A lot of teams are hoping to get wins, and stay away from the dreaded 0-2 start. Only thirteen percent of NFL teams have made the playoffs after going 0-2. That stat alone makes this week very important. Enjoy rooting for your teams this weekend(real and fantasy), and I'll check back in next week with my picks for week three. 

Rest of Week Two Games: 

Chiefs@ Bills-Bills

Browns@ Bengals-Bengals

Vikings@Colts-Vikings

Raiders@Dolphins-Raiders

Cardinals@Patriots-Patriots

Buccaners@Giants-Giants

Saints@Panthers-Saints

Texans@Jaguars-Texans

Redskins@Rams-Redskins

Cowboys@Seahawks-Cowboys

Jets@Steelers-Steelers

Titans@Chargers-Chargers

Broncos@Falcons-Falcons

I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.

Follow me on twitter @JimmyLWilsonJr