|
The inferno which burns deep inside of Mike Valenti's belly turned from a red amber  smolder into a white hot liquid metal burn last night as the MSU Spartans fell to Purdue.
Not only did they fall.. but they only scored 38 points. Yes, that's right.. 38. Not 38 from a single team member, not 38 in one quarter, not 38 in one of the halves. 38 for the game. The whole game.
Michigan State basketball hasn't been held to 38 points in a game since a 50-36 loss to Michigan on Jan. 19, 1952.
And there lies the ultimate burn.
A loss to Michigan...
No, not that loss.. not last year's loss at Michigan.. but probability of two losses to Michigan.
A Wolverine sweep of the Spartans.
It would be without a doubt, the Sum of all Fears for Mike Valenti.
Over the last 3 years while on the air in Detroit.. and in reality, over the course of the last 8 years that Mike has been in Michigan and been a Sparty... there has been once constant in his life.
 Michigan was going to embarass MSU in football... and MSU was going to get revenge back (generally twice) in basketball.
MSU is 12-4 versus Michigan in Valenti's time in-state.
MSU hasn't loss twice to Michigan since 1997 and it was 1988 before that.
But after seeing the Spartans struggle against Purdue.. you can't help but wonder if 2007 is the year it happens again.
And if it does.. can you imagine what will happen to Mike Valenti ?
Oh.. we all remember the Rant.
And "The Pontiff" isn't so long ago.
But a complete Sweep to Michigan.. a horrible loss in Football and two horrible losses in hoops.
Game #1 is less then a week away, Michigan at MSU. Izzo, the Izzone and the whole Spartan Nation will be on pins and needles because a loss at home has just become a very real fear.
You'll see Mike put the swerve on.. he'll point to MSU still being a bubble team. He'll point out that other good basketball schools are having down years.. UConn or Maryland.
He'll stick his chin out and he'll say "We are still better then Michigan", but you know that deep down in his belly.. he's scared that its true.
The sound you hear is silence.. it is silence fueled by fear.
|
