Can the Bears go undefeated?

[shockem]

I realize the starters play a ton of minutes but they are 22-23 year old kids. Playing 30-35 minutes twice a week isn't a huge thing. Now, 3 games in 3 days in STL is a whole other situation.

They are young and in great shape, but it's not uncommon for these kids to lose 10-15 punds throughout the course of the season. It really takes a toll on the body. It would be quite a feat to see them pull it off but I just don't see it.

[TNMSUFAN]

I realize the starters play a ton of minutes but they are 22-23 year old kids. Playing 30-35 minutes twice a week isn't a huge thing. Now, 3 games in 3 days in STL is a whole other situation.

They are young and in great shape, but it's not uncommon for these kids to lose 10-15 punds throughout the course of the season. It really takes a toll on the body. It would be quite a feat to see them pull it off but I just don't see it.

2 games a week our guys won't wear down and my only concern with our depth is an injury but that just depends on who. The Valley tournament will be a different story but I will worry about that then.

[xsaluki]

Doh!

[valleychamp]

They can not, and will not go undefeated. No way.

[ACECARD]

We COULD... but we wont. Probably go 16-2

Who will put the other one on them?

[Ace Dad]

"I realize the starters play a ton of minutes but they are 22-23 year old kids. Playing 30-35 minutes twice a week isn't a huge thing. Now, 3 games in 3 days in STL is a whole other situation."

I typically will not tell another poster he is wrong, because much of what we talk about on this board is opinion.

You are wrong.

These players will wear down over the course of the year if they maintain 30-35 minutes a game. You forget the toll that travel, minor injuries, practice, and stress take on their bodies. Their age only allows them to withstand the stress until they are injured, exhausted, or both. Can also lead to mental fatigue. Go look at the top 25 teams in the nation and look to see what their starters average in terms of minutes played. You will find two results, I believe: First, most teams play 7-9 players, reducing the minutes to about 26-32. Second, the teams with many Freshman starting may play deeper. A player who knows he is going to play 35 minutes a game has a tendency to "pace himself" in the first half. That is not good. You want the player to play "all out" for 25 minutes as opposed to "pacing himself" for part of the game.

Tell me if I am wrong.

[Aces1982]

After looking at MSU stats, they only have 2 that play 30+ minutes. It wasn't too different from some of the top teams I looked at.

[Sycamore_DevilDog]

The answer to the post question has been answered…………….and the answer is NO.

[PeKaph]

Their play is good enough to be undefeated. The officiating in this conference is not.

[pantherrob82]

Their play is good enough to be undefeated. The officiating in this conference is not.

Weird. None of the rest of us play with these officials......