WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball's season will start on Sunday against Eastern Michigan

John Neidhart

November 13, 2014

Heading into its first regular season game of the year on Sunday, MSU women’s basketball is still getting back into the swing of things. After playing a scrimmage against Toledo and an exhibition contest against Grand Valley State, head coach Suzy Merchant has noted that she sees room for improvement from her team. “To me, it’s about consistency right now,” Merchant said.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Men's basketball will tip off regular season against Navy Friday

Matthew Argillander

November 13, 2014

The No. 18-ranked men's basketball team is preparing to take on the Navy Midshipmen in what will be the opening game of the 2014-15 season.  The game will mark the beginning of head coach Tom Izzo's 20th season at the helm in East Lansing.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Reunited, childhood friends Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine excited for season together

Matthew Argillander

November 12, 2014

If playing Division 1 college basketball is fun, playing Division 1 basketball with your childhood friend is almost indescribable.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Freshman guard Jasmine Lumpkin could play big role for women's basketball in 2014-15 season

John Neidhart

November 12, 2014

Last season, freshmen Tori Jankoska and Aerial Powers led MSU in scoring and made an immediate impact on a season that culminated with a Big Ten title. This year, another freshman has the chance to follow in those footsteps.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Starters shouldered most of offensive load on Sunday for women's basketball

John Neidhart

November 10, 2014

The MSU starting five of women’s basketball had a statistically impressive exhibition opener against Grand Valley State Sunday, but a few concerns were highlighted as well.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball opens season with 70-51 exhibition win over Grand Valley State

Katie Winkler

November 9, 2014

The MSU women’s basketball team kicked off its season in an exhibition game against Grand Valley State on Sunday night. They were off to a shaky start, but the Spartans still walked away with a 70-51 win.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

New core for men's basketball potentially emerged against St. Cloud State

Matthew Argillander

November 8, 2014

The men's basketball team is in a stage of transition. The team must replace the production of former stars Adreian Payne, Keith Appling, and Gary Harris. Together, the three former MSU players combined to average 44.3 points of the team's 75.5 total average in the 2013-14 season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Valentine powers MSU basketball to 101-46 win over St. Cloud State in final exhibition match

Omari Sankofa II

November 7, 2014

Behind a strong performance by junior guard Denzel Valentine, the MSU basketball team cruised to an easy 101-46 victory over St. Cloud State on Friday night, finishing exhibition season with a 2-0 record. Valentine had a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 25 minutes of action. Senior guard Travis Trice led the Spartans with 20 points, and junior center Matt Costello and senior forward Branden Dawson each had double-doubles — 12 and 10 for Costello, and 13 and 10 for Dawson.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Merchant hopes continued growth, leadership will guide women's basketball to another conference title in 2015

John Neidhart

November 7, 2014

After finishing the 2013-14 season with a 23-10 overall record and a share of the Big Ten conference title, MSU women’s basketball hopes to pick up right where it left off.

BASKETBALL

MSU athletics receives $3 million endowment towards retaining football defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, improvements for men's basketball program

Jonathon Chun

November 6, 2014

As part of the Empower Extraordinary campaign for MSU, Alumni Peter and Joan Secchia have made a significant leadership gift to help ensure the ongoing success of MSU Athletics.

BASKETBALL

Despite lopsided win, Izzo disappointed with MSU's defensive performance against The Master's College on Monday

Troy Jefferson

November 4, 2014

Despite holding The Master’s College to 29 percent shooting from the field, head coach Tom Izzo was not pleased with his team’s defense on Monday night.

BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Robert Bondy

November 4, 2014

One day after men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo tipped off his 20th season at MSU, he was recognized as the latest induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Izzo led the cast of eight that were announced as the 2015 Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday from Spartan Stadium.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Fans, players welcome Russell Byrd back to Breslin Center during exhibition match against The Master's College

Geoff Preston

November 3, 2014

The last time he was at Breslin Center, Russell Byrd was wearing green and white and only himself to worry about. On Monday night, days after the birth of his first daughter with former MSU women’s basketball player Klarissa Bell, Byrd returned to Breslin Center for the first time since transferring from MSU to The Master's College in May.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU basketball spoils Russell Byrd's return in exhibition opener, 97-56

Troy Jefferson

November 3, 2014

The men’s basketball team opened its exhibition season at home on Monday night, but a player on the opposing team stole the show.

BASKETBALL

Men's and women's basketball teams prepare to start season

Katie Winkler

October 29, 2014

After kicking off the season at the annual Midnight Madness on Friday, the women and men’s basketball teams are preparing to begin another season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite lower-than-normal preseason rankings, Izzo optimistic for men's basketball season

John Neidhart

October 28, 2014

Despite the men’s basketball team entering the season with a lower preseason ranking than normal, head coach Tom Izzo had no shortage of excitement at media day on Tuesday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. showing leadership in freshman year for men's basketball

Troy Jefferson

October 28, 2014

It’s not common for a freshman to take up a leadership role, but Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. risn’t your average freshman.

BASKETBALL

Izzo's appearance as KISS band member highlights 2014 Midnight Madness

Katie Winkler

October 26, 2014

To welcome the oncoming men and women basketball seasons, fans filled the stands of Breslin Center on Friday night for Midnight Madness.Men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo and Spartan players were dressed in all leather, face paint, and bulky boots to be the rock band KISS for the evening.

BASKETBALL

Students brave rainy weather for 2014 Izzone Campout

Katie Winkler

October 18, 2014

More than 550 tents covered Munn Field filled with campers hoping to get lower bowl seating for this year’s Izzone at the annual Izzone Campout.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine will be relied upon for leadership for men's basketball during 2014-15 season

Omari Sankofa II

October 16, 2014

This season, senior guard Travis Trice and junior forward Denzel Valentine will be relied upon to provide a leadership presence the Spartans, at times, lacked last season.