Thursday, November 28, 2024

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Basketball

BASKETBALL

Defensive rebound

MSU junior guard Chris Allen is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals — but Allen and his coaches agree those improvements stem from his growth on defense. His increased focus and intense film study means he’s now playing the best defense of his life, head coach Tom Izzo said.

BASKETBALL

Battle presents challenge for Spartans

For more than a week, the focus of the MSU men’s basketball program has been on junior guard Kalin Lucas. Saturday, the team’s attention will turn to Penn State’s junior guard and leading scorer Talor Battle, the Nittany Lions’ most dangerous player.

BASKETBALL

MSU holds edge over winless Nittany Lions

A trip to State College, Pa., might be just what the doctor ordered for the MSU men’s basketball team. No coach would play a road game in the Big Ten if he didn’t have to, but if there is a team you want to face on their home floor, it’s the Nittany Lions.

BASKETBALL

Spartans prepare for another 3-point shooting team in U-M

There’s nothing like a rivalry game to get a team going after a tough loss. Following Sunday’s disappointing loss at Iowa, the MSU women’s basketball team will be anxious to get back at it tonight when they head to Crisler Arena to play Michigan at 7 p.m. Four days after the team struggled defensively against the Hawkeyes, MSU goes into Ann Arbor against a team that will play a very similar style — drive to the basket and either put up a shot or kick out for a 3-point attempt.

BASKETBALL

Lucas shows grit, heart in loss

Funny, the effect ankle injuries have on star MSU point guards. Kalin Lucas’ performance on a bum ankle Tuesday night against Purdue brought back memories of Mateen Cleaves’ 2000 championship game effort.

BASKETBALL

The race is on

Remember when you joked that the MSU men’s basketball would go 18-0 in the Big Ten? Remember when a little part of you actually thought the Spartans could go 18-0? Welcome back to reality. MSU’s 78-73 loss at Illinois on Saturday has slimmed MSU’s lead in the Big Ten to just one game with No. 8 Purdue coming into East Lansing.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Work in progress

Darlis Nix remembers her son’s trek to and from Detroit Pershing High School by the tears flowing from his eyes. An immensely talented basketball player and future high school state champion and Mr. Basketball winner, Derrick Nix also was the heftiest kid in his class growing up.