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History made

Despite naysayers, the women's basketball team has had a season well worth celebrating

The women's basketball team has made history - again.

The Spartans achieved the program's best performance in the NCAA Tournament when they made it to the Sweet 16. They furthered that performance when they rolled on to the Elite Eight. Now, they've claimed a spot in the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Since the men are moving on as well, the women also have helped MSU claim yet another page in the history books. MSU's showing this year makes it only the sixth time in NCAA Tournament history that a school has sent both its men's and women's teams to the Final Four.

And although the commotion about the men's team is fully warranted, it's definitely time to give some props to the women. They deserve it.

Many doubted the women's ability to win against their tournament opponents. Some even complained when the Spartans were seeded No. 1 over Stanford, the team with the top ranking in The Associated Press poll. But after MSU's 76-69 win against Stanford on Tuesday night, no one can argue that the Spartans' top seed was undeserved.

With head coach Joanne P. McCallie leading her team through a 32-3 season of consistently strong play, paired with an exceptional tournament showing, this year has been invaluable in establishing a solid, competitive women's basketball program.

The Spartans women have proven they are a force to be reckoned with, and, as The State News has been saying all along, they deserve great recognition for their accomplishments.

For starters, perhaps the Student Alumni Foundation can bring back an Izzone-esque cheering section for the women. After mulling over a number of prospective names the section could have, we've decided that "The McCalzone," is the best possible option. The names holds onto tradition by inserting the head coach into the cheering section name, and it also invokes thoughts of the delicious Italian food.

McCalzone, anyone?

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