BASKETBALL
ONLINE UPDATE: Spartans suffered by missed free throws in upset loss to Iowa
Chicago - Missed free throws once again led to MSU's demise, but this time it had bigger consequences.
NEWS
ONLINE UPDATE: Women's team wins Big 10 Tournament
Indianapolis - In a season of firsts, the No. 8 MSU women's basketball team accomplished one more thing for the first time - winning the Big Ten Tournament Championship. The Spartans (28-3 overall, 14-2 Big Ten) won the game 55-49 behind strong defense and solid leadership down the stretch.
ICE HOCKEY
ONLINE UPDATE: Slater named hockey team's MVP
Lansing - Senior captain Jim Slater scored a hat trick of awards Monday at the MSU Hockey Banquet when he was awarded the Outstanding Senior, Amo Bessone, and Most Valuable Player awards.
NEWS
ONLINE UPDATE: Spartans beat Nittany Lions, 90-64, in last '05 home game
It was an emotional farewell for MSU's five seniors Saturday night at Breslin Center. After four years of hard work, the quintet - Alan Anderson, Tim Bograkos, Andy Harvey, Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert - were finally in the starting lineup together for the Spartans' 90-64 win over Penn State. "You're going to lose guys who have been through a lot with you," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.
ICE HOCKEY
ONLINE UPDATE: Hockey team clinches home ice with sweep
South Bend, Ind. - Power play goals from senior captain Jim Slater and freshman forward Jim McKenzie were enough for the MSU hockey team to edge Notre Dame, 2-1, on Saturday completing its first series sweep since early November, and solidifying home ice for the first-round CCHA playoffs.
NEWS
ONLINE UPDATE: Spartans beat Penn State, 83-76; women's team heads to championship round
Indianapolis - On a day when defense was not really present, it was important that the No. 8 MSU women's basketball team got production out of their offense, and that was just what they did in their 83-76 win against Penn State. The Spartans (27-3 overall, 14-2 Big Ten) hit 56 percent of their shots for the game and Penn State (19-10, 13-3) was able to hit 53.6 percent of their shots in a game where the defense was, for the most part, nonexistent. "It was a very strong offensive game and a very good game by both teams," MSU head coach Joanne P.
NEWS
ONLINE UPDATE: Seniors bid farewell to Breslin
It began more than four years ago with an 80-70 victory against University of Detroit-Mercy. And it ended with a few kisses to the court which had become their second home. MSU\'s five seniors said farewell to Breslin Center on Saturday night in grand fashion in the Spartan\'s 90-64 victory over Penn State. But for some, it wasn\'t easy saying good-bye. \"It was just a rough moment for us knowing that it\'s our last time being out there playing in front of this crowd and being in front of the Izzone,\" senior guard Kelvin Torbert said.
FOOTBALL
ONLINE UPDATE: Selmon named defensive line coach
MSU football head coach John L. Smith named former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach Lucious Selmon as his defensive line coach Saturday.
NEWS
3-pointers not falling
It's no secret that MSU has been struggling with the 3-point shot lately. Since Big Ten play began, the Spartans have shot 30 percent or less from behind the arc nine times, a trend that continued Wednesday at Northwestern. "I'd like to see it improve," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.
COMMENTARY
Harsh penalty
You probably felt pretty grown-up at 16 or 17. Perhaps you even thought you knew everything. Given what you know now, maybe you realize how short-sighted you were.
NEWS
ONLINE UPDATE: E-mail 'phishers' attack MSU Federal Credit Union
Students who respond to a seemingly legitimate e-mail from their bank could lose money from their account. MSU Federal Credit Union reported Thursday a "phishing" attack had hit the bank.
NEWS
Analysts: Despite decrease, jobless rate high
Michigan's unemployment rate for January dropped 0.4 percent from December's rate of 7.5 percent - the first decrease since last April, according to information released Wednesday from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The monthly rate shifted back to the norm seen in the last couple years, with the exception of last November and December's exceptionally high rates, said Jim Rhein, a labor market analyst for the department. "We've sort of been at a plateau, and that's been really since early 2003," Rhein said.
COMMENTARY
Slain soldier was worth the praise
Journalism is defined as the work of gathering news, so why does The State News think that anyone wants to hear the opinions of the editorial board who, behind their anonymity, espouse opinions on matters they have not earned the right to speak about? Specifically, the recent editorial "Hard Numbers" (SN 3/1) asks readers to remember that Iraqis are dying for their freedom.
NEWS
MSU not to follow new U-M financial aid plan
The University of Michigan announced this week the creation of a new need-based financial aid program, known as M-PACT, which would reduce loans students have to repay. The program would award grants in the amounts of $500, $1,000 and $1,500 to undergraduate students based on their amount of need.
NEWS
Progsters train for tournament time
It's Championship Week on ESPN, and the progsters have their predictions for the final regular season games and the Big Ten tournaments. The Boss showed his youth last week, going 0-4 in a crucial week of picks. On the season, he is now 14-13, and as you can see from the picture, BC made him run for his poor efforts. On the other hand, BC stayed solid with a 2-2 record last week, improving his season record to 18-9. This week, the prognosticators pick the Duke-North Carolina game, MSU-Penn State and the finals of the men's and women's Big Ten tournaments.
COMMENTARY
Malson's service makes him a hero
By honoring one of our own we are in no way minimizing others' loss. The opinion in "Hard numbers" (SN 3/1) questions why we don't hear about all of the Iraqis killed.
COMMENTARY
Unhealthy hue
A photo on Page One of Thursday's edition of The State News depicted a situation that many probably view as undesirable.
MICHIGAN
MSU alumnus, sled dog team prepare for second Iditarod run
An MSU alumnus is taking on the "Last Great Race" - again. Beginning Saturday, Ed Stielstra and his team of 16 Alaskan huskies will traverse 1,150 miles of Alaskan terrain to run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the second time.
MSU
Cow show comes to MSU
Pat White has traveled across the country in passionate pursuit of raising Highland cattle. Today she will bring one of her favorite show animals, a 4-year-old cow named "Voodoo," to the Heritage Livestock Exhibition at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.
NEWS
Month of March has right feel for fans
Although it might look and feel like January outside, in terms of basketball and the calendar, it's March. Tournament time, conference titles, automatic bids to the Big Dance and it's already started for both the men's and women's NCAA teams. Can you feel the excitement? Every March, basketball fans get a taste of the game at its best with conference regular-season wrap-up games, conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament. When I was younger, I would run home from school or bounce in my seat on the bus ride home, waiting to see who had upset who in the afternoon games.