Wednesday, December 10, 2025

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Basketball

BASKETBALL

Green team wins intrasquad game

Saturday’s men’s basketball Green and White game meant ditto in the win and loss column, but provided fans with a first-hand look at some of the team’s biggest story lines entering the season.

BASKETBALL

Lighter Nix could be force inside for MSU

What would have happened if Derrick Nix hadn’t taken this summer seriously? Nix, a freshman center on the MSU men’s basketball team, knows exactly what would have happened if he hadn’t dropped 30 pounds — and counting — since his arrival in East Lansing. Or if he hadn’t done extra cardio on his own after working out with teammates. Or if he had consumed more than just cereal, Nutrigrain bars and liquids after 6 p.m. in an effort to get into shape.

BASKETBALL

Creating a moment

Images of MSU basketball’s past, present and future were on display for the 14,000-plus in attendance at Friday’s annual Midnight Madness for the MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo takes new stage with 'Izzo Goes to Broadway'

During his 14 years as head coach of the MSU men’s basketball team, Tom Izzo has participated in his share of pressure-inducing activities. He’s coached in three Final Fours, thrown out the first pitch of a Detroit Tigers game and even rapelled from the ceiling of Breslin Center.

BASKETBALL

Spartans, Tar Heels to meet again in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

The MSU men’s basketball team will take the floor with North Carolina for the third time in a calendar year and for the second consecutive year in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The two teams will meet in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Dec. 1 in the 11th rendition of the weeklong event that pits teams from each conference against one another.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Iowa State loss still troubles MSU coach

About 10 minutes after her team’s season-ending loss to Iowa State, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant located a TV backstage at Haas Pavilion. For the first of what would prove to be many times, Merchant relived the anguishing final 87 seconds of the game. Since the March 28 loss, Merchant estimates she’s replayed the conclusion of the game at least 500 times.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Most players returning in conference

The 2008-09 college basketball season just ended, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season. With that being said, here’s an early look at how the Big Ten should stack up next season. Disagree? Send me your predictions at altmanal@msu.edu.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Reporter looks forward to next year's team

One of the best things about sports is that there’s always next year (just ask Chicago Cubs fans). And while the MSU men’s basketball team had an unbelievable run to the national championship game, losing 89-72 to North Carolina on Monday night, it’s never too early to look ahead to the future.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Grades confirm successful 2008-09 season

The MSU men’s basketball team ended its 2008-09 season in the national championship game Monday night, overcoming injuries, illnesses and naysayers throughout the season. With a final record of 31-7, this year’s team etched its name in the program record book with the third-most wins in program history.