Monday, January 5, 2026

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Sports

BASKETBALL

Intensity in question for tournament

Despite an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament, the MSU men’s basketball team heads into the NCAA Tournament with its finger on its biggest problem - intensity.The question will be, “Can the Spartans pick up the intensity after losing to Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament?”That same question was MSU head coach Tom Izzo’s biggest concern heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

BASKETBALL

East bracket breakdown

A very critical factor in a team’s success during the NCAA Tournament can be who you play. And with a shocking upset just around the corner, anything is possible. Let’s take a look at the other teams in the bottom half of the East regional bracket. First round opponent: No.

SPORTS

Wrestlers place eighth

The wrestling team (5-12, 2-6) finished eighth with 54.5 points in the 2002 Big Ten Wrestling Championships hosted by Illinois. The Spartans were led by juniors Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard, who each placed fourth.

ICE HOCKEY

Enforcer Maloney out for season

Brian Maloney is as tough as anyone on the Spartan hockey team.The junior left wing from Bassano, Alberta is MSU’s enforcer on the ice - methodically antagonizing the other team and administering bone-rattling body checks.

BASKETBALL

Reckers clutch performance is March at its best

March is nearly every sports fan’s favorite month - and despite what the shameless self-promoters at ESPN will tell you, it’s not because “A Season on the Brink” aired. And while the “total sports network” ventures in Brian Dennehy movies, I’ll try to find something a little more worthwhile to write about. I have to resist any urge to write a “65 things I love about March” column, because it’s in the best interest of you, the reader, and my reputation to avoid any and all gimmicky columns - i.e.

SPORTS

NCAA passes, NIT last hope for Spartans

The Spartans’ dreams of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament officially ended Sunday when the selection committee passed on the MSU women’s basketball team. As the final bracket was being displayed, the emotions began to show in the Spartans.

ICE HOCKEY

CCHA Tournament: MSU bests Bowling Green in overtime win

Fifth-ranked MSU was pushed to its limit by Bowling Green on Friday night, but the Spartans stormed back for a gritty 4-3 overtime victory in front of 5,408 fans at Munn Ice Arena. Senior right wing Adam Hall notched the game-winner 4:57 into overtime, giving MSU a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three CCHA Tournament first-round series.

BASKETBALL

Taylor, Ballinger grab honors on All-Big Ten teams

One day after winning Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career, Spartan sophomore guard Marcus Taylor was selected by coaches and media Tuesday as a member of the All-Big Ten First Team. Taylor led the conference in scoring and assists with averages of 17.7 points and five assists per game.