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[QUOTE="FortyFourCT, post: 228551, member: 382"]
I don't post much, but I wanted to throw my final thoughts out here before the tournament really begins. 
 
To state the obvious, losing Melo hurts, but I don't believe it ends all of our chances, not at all.  Yes, we will suffer on the defensive end.  Melo was good at blocking shots and taking charges.  He was an OK rebounder.He was also good for a few put backs and dunks per game.    We lose all that. 
 
He also had a few goaltending calls per game, so we don't have to deal with that, nor some of the boneheaded plays he does tend to make.  I think Xmas could do a good job of rebounding.  He will get beat up by the better big guys we face, but I could see Coach instructing the team to collapse on the post player when he gets the ball to help our Xmas.  I think we can all see the glimmer of talent in Xmas.  Now, if he comes in with the right state of mind and not having to look over his shoulder, I think he can hold his own.  He is not going to be a breakout star, but we don't need that.  We just need him to be steady.  I feel like he could do a little better job of rebounding than Fab did as well.
 
Everywhere else on the court we have great players and loads of depth.  We are a matchup problem at 3 or 4 other positions most nights.
Our games are in Pittsburgh and Boston.  Don't overlook this!
 
Michigan State lost their best player in the first round back in 2010 and still went on to the final 4. 
 
Upsets happen.  If we keep on winning, it is probably unlikely we will have to face all of the top seeds.  the brackets are never chalk.  And if they turn out to be chalk, I still think we are better, man for man, than anybody in our bracket up to OSU, and at that point, anything could happen.  The guys would know they can still win.
 
OK, this is getting long.  In summary...we still have 9 very talented players.  We have the location advantage.  We have a great head coach.  We don't have an overly challenging road.
 
I still believe.  Final 4 or bust.
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