We can lament Michigan State's start, but Texas looked pretty good last night

I'd be willing to bet that 90% of the game stories and columns you read about Michigan State's 67-55 loss to Texas will try to answer the question 'what is wrong with Michigan State?'

And its a legitimate question to ask at this point.

Because this is not the typical Tom Izzo team fans in East Lansing have come to expect.

This team is not as physical in the paint as the Spartans normally are. They get beat on the glass and they get beaten up in the post. Kalin Lucas, Korie Lucious, and Durrell Summers were the stars in a clinic of what decisions not to make when handling the ball. In essence, this Michigan State team consists of a bunch of kids that want to show off their handle, make the highlight reel pass, and stand outside firing up jumpers.

That's not the kind of team that Izzo normally fields. And with four losses before the turn of the calendar, its about time to start questioning whether or not we all overrated this Michigan State team.

But by questioning what is wrong with Michigan State, we ignore the fact that Texas played just as big, if a bigger, role in the outcome of this game.


It ignores the fact that the Longhorn front court, led by 17 points and 15 boards (six offensive) from Tristan Thompson, dominated the paint, keeping the Spartan's big men in foul trouble for most of this game. It overlooks just how well Gary Johnson and Matt Hill played. It disregards Jordan Hamilton's continued growth as a player.

This Texas team is legit.

Thompson is well on his way to becoming one of, if not the best big men in the Big XII. His repertoire with his back to the basket is still a long way from being what anyone in their right mind would call polished, but he is active, athletic, and aggressive around the rim at both ends of the floor.

Hamilton still has a tendency to overshoot and to force tough shots. But he's knows how talented he is as a scorer, and he's learning just how much he is capable off offensively. He has a terrific feel for reading a screen set for him off of the ball and he's capable of reeling off four or five shots in a row when he gets in a groove. Tonight he also showed the ability to take advantage of a favorable matchup. Hamilton is 6'7" and strong, and when he was being guarded by one of Michigan State's smaller guard, he was able to take him into the post or use his dribble to get 12-15 feet from the basket, elevating over his defender to knock down a short jumper.

The Longhorn's defense is also starting to round into form. Granted, a number of Michigan State's 16 turnovers were the direct result of poor decision making, but Texas also forced Sparty into tough shots by playing solid, man-to-man defense in the half court.

Most pundits had Texas pegged below the rest of the Big XII's big five -- Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Baylor -- coming into the season.

And even when you take Missouri's win over Illinois into account, there is a legitimate and valid argument to be made that it is Texas that is currently the second best team in their league.