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Michigan players know just how MSU feels about them

Chris Balasby:Chris Balas•about 20 hours•

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Michigan Wolverines basketball Nimari Burnett(Photo by Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)
Michigan Wolverines basketball Nimari Burnett(Photo by Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)

Michigan players aren’t as familiar with the Michigan State rivalry as their Spartan counterparts — only a few have partaken in the game — and some didn’t even get a taste of high-level rivalry hoops until last week. Center Vlad Goldin noted Ohio State was his first taste — “FAU doesn’t have rivals,” he said with a grin — ditto forward Danny Wolf, whose Yale – Princeton experience in front of a few thousand people paled in comparison. 

“The magnitudes of these Ivy league games in front of 2,000 to 5,000 people — the stadiums get pretty loud for what the Ivy league is,” Wolf said. “Some of the games were awesome, don’t get me wrong. I loved playing in them.

“But when you go to an 18,000 [seat arena at Ohio State] and they’re all chanting not great words … we know the history, the background. It’s what makes college basketball so special. Our fans have been great this year, and I’m sure it will be great tonight. That extra boost is more than anyone knows. We know what we’re getting ourselves into.”

To prepare, then, they took a lot from what they saw on social media to prepare for the level of intensity they’re about to see from a program and fan base that — frankly — hates them with a passion. 

“I think it’s a two-sided [rivalry], but I’ve seen comments they’ve made — former players and current players on their end,” Wolf continued. “I know what this game means to a lot of people … alumni, fans. The game goes a long way, especially when we’re both in contention for a Big Ten championship. It means that much more.”

Should Michigan win, the Wolverines will become the heavy favorite to win the conference title in Dusty May’s first season, only a year removed from an 8-24 campaign. Lose and they’ll still have an opportunity, tied in the loss column with five to play and another game with the Spartans. Granted, it’s on the road, but Michigan has won there before with high stakes. 

They want this one badly, though, especially after being swept last year. Wing Nimari Burnett was part of that squad and had to live with it all year.

“I’ve definitely had all the games marked on my calendar that we didn’t’ win against teams last year, whatever the team was, but especially the two matchups we have against them,” Burnett said. “Just like the other one against Ohio State — obviously, it’s a little bit more on the basketball end as far as MSU for us. It’s something to be prepared for … be ready for the intensity and the rivalry feel we all get pumped for. 

“Especially in our locker room right now, there are papers of the scores from last year. The rest of guys have [quotes from] Michigan State fans and players taunting us. I think that gets us all pumped for the game. I have a pretty good gauge [how much they hate us]. We see it clearly … clear as day. We plan to bring it right back, though. 

But you don’t realize the extent of it until you play in it, no matter how much you read. Those who haven’t are about to find out in a few hours, and they insist they’re prepared.

“I guess I’m learning, but I’m have not played them. Social media … I see how much they hate us, how much we hate them,” Goldin said. “It makes sense we hate each other. 

“It’s a learning process. We still have two games, so I’ll tell you before the last game [how much I’ve learned].”

That part of his Michigan education starts tonight, and he can’t wait.

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