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Basketball

BASKETBALL

Izzo satisfied with 42-point blowout win vs. alma mater

Head coach Tom Izzo didn't take it easy on his old school, as MSU handed Northern Michigan a 42-point loss in its second exhibition game at Breslin Center on Sunday. Izzo said he was satisfied with MSU's unselfish play and rebounding in the 98-56 win against his alma mater. But he was disappointed the Spartans shot 41 percent from the field. "We did a poor job of shooting the ball, and I think we are the best shooting team I've ever had," he said. "It was our inside game that was really poor and I don't mean just our big guys.

BASKETBALL

Rookies survive 1st practice week

Megan Homanick
October 25, 2004

These aren't typical high school practices, where everyone else is smaller and you're the best player on the team. The four freshmen on the MSU men's basketball team found that out last week. "Practice has been tough - very tough.

BASKETBALL

Young backups ready to play alongside Davis

Each new basketball season is an opportunity for unproven players - young and old - to rise up, play more minutes and have a greater impact. This season, sophomore power forward Delco Rowley and sophomore center Drew Naymick are prime candidates to fill that role in the Spartans' frontcourt. And with an eager, talented batch of freshmen big men new on campus this season, Rowley and Naymick must step up while the opening is there. "I'm looking forward to those two coming in and stepping up and playing in these games because I've told them that this is the time to do it," junior center Paul Davis said.

BASKETBALL

Summer lovin'

Megan Homanick
October 14, 2004

MSU junior center Paul Davis learned to love during the summer. "He told me that he's here to learn how to love the game, instead of liking (it) like most guys do," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said at the men's basketball media day on Wednesday. Izzo added that Davis' new-found love for the game started showing through his summer work ethic and schedule. "I was in the gym at 8 in the morning, working out with a couple of the managers for about an hour and a half," Davis said.

BASKETBALL

Students brave wind, cold for chance at lower-bowl tickets

Sonia Khaleel
October 4, 2004

More than 400 multi-colored tents speckled Munn field Saturday night as devoted students sporting hats, coats and gloves waited to receive their coveted basketball tickets in the windy, bitter cold. "I'm wearing a fleece, a hoodie, my winter jacket, a long-sleeve T-shirt and a short-sleeve T-shirt," said finance junior Michelle Lee as she shivered.

BASKETBALL

Midnight Mania event to kick off seasons

Darrell Hughes
October 4, 2004

The MSU men's and women's basketball teams are opening their arms to fans and students at its annual Midnight Mania event to kick off the 2004-05 season. Fans and students will have the chance to get autographs from coaches and players at 10:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Fans celebrate championship in downtown Detroit with Pistons

Dawn Klemish
June 21, 2004

Detroit - History junior Sean McDaniel squinted as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight Thursday morning at Detroit's Hart Plaza. "Boy, having a reason to wake up early - besides school - was great," he said. McDaniel and a group of his friends were among the one million people who crowded into downtown Detroit on Thursday for an afternoon of celebration. The reason?

BASKETBALL

Mr. Basketball makes mark

In front of a Breslin Center crowd that was buzzing with anticipation Saturday, Drew Neitzel, MSU's point guard of the future and recently-crowned Mr. Basketball of Michigan, scored 36 points and showed why he could be the missing ingredient for the Spartans next season. It was the biggest game of Neitzel's high school career, and it was on the biggest stage.

BASKETBALL

25th anniversary of championship today

Chris Mackinder
March 26, 2004

A beaming smile graced Earvin "Magic" Johnson's face as the scissors in his hand snipped the final piece of the net in Salt Lake City. The Spartans were champions. It was 25 years ago today the Spartans were national champions for the first time, captivating the nation and changing college hoops in East Lansing. "The first thing in memory is that it did revolutionize college basketball," said Billy Packer, a current analyst for CBS and broadcaster for the '79 championship game.

BASKETBALL

One and done

Chris Mackinder
March 19, 2004

Seattle - For their NCAA Tournament first round game against Nevada, the Spartans goal was to stop all but one Wolf Pack player.

BASKETBALL

Student, former coach torn during NCAA tournament time

Scott Bartosiewicz
March 18, 2004

Masters student Matthew Wood completed his undergraduate studies at Nevada and never saw the Wolf Pack make it to the NCAA Basketball Tournament - until now. He sat anxiously watching the CBS Selection Sunday breakdown, happily knowing that both of his universities would be in the Big Dance. "I finally had two teams I could root for," Wood said.

BASKETBALL

Izzo: Spartans capable of run

Chris Mackinder
March 18, 2004

Seattle - Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans know they could win the whole thing. They also know they could be knocked out in the first round against Nevada on Thursday night. In MSU's seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance, the No.

BASKETBALL

Spartans draw Wolfpack

Chris Mackinder  and  Joey Guillen
March 15, 2004

The Spartans fell short on two of their goals for the 2003-04 season - winning the Big Ten regular season title and the Big Ten Tournament Championship - but there still is the chance of reaching one goal: a Final Four. And as unlikely as it might seem, the Spartans are serious. MSU received a No.

BASKETBALL

Ups & downs

Indianapolis - The Spartans can't help their coach beat Bo Ryan. MSU had another opportunity to defeat Wisconsin on Saturday evening in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals, but the Spartans' chance clanked off the back of the rim. Down by two points with 4.8 seconds on the clock, Spartans sophomore guard Maurice Ager grabbed a rebound and sprinted up the floor, but a last-ditch 18-foot jumper hit off the back of the rim, leaving the Badgers with a 68-66 triumph. "I don't think I could have gotten a better look," Ager said after the game.

BASKETBALL

Badgers last roadblock in championship race

State College, Pa. - Sharpen the scissors and get the ladders out of storage, because MSU is playing for a Big Ten Championship - and a chance to cut down the nets - Tuesday against Wisconsin at Breslin Center. The Spartans (17-9 overall, 12-3 Big Ten) beat Penn State, 67-42, on Saturday night, guaranteeing them at least a share of the Big Ten Championship if they win their regular season finale against the Badgers. "Everything now is one and done," head coach Tom Izzo said.