Thomas excels, leads cagers in the best game of his career

When No. 5 MSU looked to prove to a nationally- televised audience Tuesday night that versatility and toughness are two of college basketball’s lost arts, it called upon the team’s renaissance man. And David Thomas fit the bill. Playing four different positions, while also defending opponents ranging from 6 foot 2 to 6 foot 9 inches in size, the senior guard earned praise from head coach Tom Izzo in the team’s 66-57 win over Indiana (16-11, 7-6). The Spartans are now 21-3, 10-3. Izzo called Tuesday’s contest the fifth-year senior’s “best game of his career.” “He really coming along,” Izzo said of his 24-year old veteran.

Holden hosts second annual talent show

By MELANIE MILONAS For The State News Under an arch of blue, black and silver balloons, students put their talents to the test at Holden Hall’s second annual talent show Thursday night. Funded by ASMSU’s Funding Board and sponsored by Holden Hall Residence Life staff, “Holden Live: A Star is Born” displayed just some of the talent that exists at MSU. ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

LCC grads: Nixing program a mistake

Kelli Werner doesn’t attend class to learn.She goes and sits next to students with hearing disabilities to type the professor’s spoken words onto a computer screen for the students’ eyes.She’s one of the three realtime captioners at MSU.Werner and her colleagues were hired by the university after they graduated from Lansing Community College’s court reporting program - a program that could be eliminated in two weeks if its Board of Trustees approves LCC President Paula Cunningham’s recommendation to remove six of the college’s programs as part of the president’s annual Program Review Report.

U avenges loss, Haston led all scorers

It wasn’t pretty, but MSU avenged its first loss of the season - a stunning last-minute defeat last month - with a 66-57 win Tuesday over Indiana. “It’s good to beat a team like Indiana since they did beat us earlier this year,” said senior forward Andre Hutson, who led the Spartans with 15 points.

Levin addresses taxes, students

LANSING -U.S. Senator and Detroit Democrat Carl Levin made his way to several Michigan colleges Tuesday, including a stop at Lansing Community College. “I thought we’d talk a bit about the economy,” Levin told the audience of about 40, which filled up a college classroom.

Professor aims to revive state tree

A joint program between MSU professors and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources could lead to the resurgence of the state tree - the white pine.Deb McCullough, an associate professor of forest entomology, has been collaborating with the DNR on several projects designed to minimize deforestation of the white pine.“For a number of reasons the white pine has had a lot of trouble regenerating,” McCullough said.

Chili Peppers guitarist solo album offers surprises

John Frusciante To Record Only Water For Ten Days Warner Brothers Recordings When an artist records a solo album, one has to wonder why. Is he looking for a way out of his current band, or is he interested more in simply exploring the boundaries outside of his regular efforts? In John Frusciante’s case, it’s definitely about creating something different than the norm on his third solo effort entitled “To Record Only Water For Ten Days.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ guitarist does an incredible job with very little on the album, recording his vocals a bit distorted while showing his prowess as a complex and talented songwriter, especially on the epic ballad “The First Season.” Compared to his first two solo albums, 1995’s “Niandra La’Des and Usually Just a T-Shirt” and 1997’s “Smile from the streets you hold,” this album shows a more positive and optimistic Frusciante, exploring more diverse subjects in his intimidating world of immense creativity.

Black leadership nearly convinced high school prospect to become a Spartan

MSU football head coach Bobby Williams’ skin color may have been a deciding factor in high school recruit Kellen Winslow Jr.’s decision to delay choosing which school to attend this fall. On Fox Sports Net’s Feb.

Career fair involves new field

The Associated Students for Career Orientation in Telecommunications are hosting the first-ever MSU career fair with a special interest in telecommunication students, today - the Interactive Michigan Area Telecom Expo. In the past, jobs and internship opportunities for students majoring in telecommunication were difficult to come by, group spokesman and telecommunication junior Jeffrey Smith said. “The boom of the Internet and different information fields have sparked a need for this kind of expo,” Smith said. The group has set out to change the past and set a new trend, he said.

Two divers and coach earn top conference award

To say it was a good weekend for Spartan divers Carly Weiden and Summer Mitchell, and diving coach John Narcy is as big an understatement as saying Homer Simpson enjoys spending time at a donut shop.Weiden, a junior from Kentwood, Mich., won the Big Ten Championship in the 3-meter diving event and finished third in the 1-meter competition.Mitchell, a sophomore from Troy, Mich., did the reverse by capturing the Big Ten title in the 1-meter event and placing third in the 3-meter competition.For their performances, Weiden and Mitchell were named Co-Big Ten Divers of the Year.

Music critic chooses Grammy favorites

It is time.And in order to mark the special occasion of the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards, here are some of my picks for only a few of the 50 awards slated to be given to artists with open arms and teary eyes.I’ve always been a huge supporter of Beck, and really respect how he has progressed as an artist.

E.L. approves dance floors

When visiting Michigan cities like Royal Oak or Ann Arbor, Joni Fitzgerald enjoys a little dancing after a good meal.

LCC board meets to discuss removal of programs

LANSING - Lansing Community College’s Board of Trustees heard more than three hours of testimony on Monday, concerning LCC President Paula Cunningham’s recommendations to remove six programs from the college.

Police briefs 02/20/01

Ladies woo crowd with clothes on

Jodie Hermes wasn’t familiar with the Barenaked Ladies until just the other day. “I heard one of their songs on the radio the other day that I recognized, but I didn’t know who they were,” the Jackson resident said.

Duo aims to please crowd at E.L. gig

Telecommunication sophomore Jesse Frasure was frustrated back in late 1999 when he was having difficulty finding bandmates who were as focused as him. Then soon after, he found a flier nursing junior Joe Nelson had put up about starting a band.

Council to consider dance floor requests

The East Lansing City Council is expected to approve requests from the Spartan Sports Den and Troppo to include dance floors in each restaurant.

Discrimination policy should be changed

My friend Mark is waging war against our former school district. He isn’t asking much – just two little words – but the school board refuses to budge. Mark is fighting to make sure gay students are protected by the district’s discrimination policy.

Cagers seek to avenge loss

Images of a Hoosier sea of red flooding the Assembly Hall court after MSU’s Jan. 7 loss are still vivid in the minds of head coach Tom Izzo and his fifth-ranked Spartans.

Student remembered for compassion

Matthew Droz had just begun to look for a job. After six years at MSU, the advertising senior was ready to receive his degree in May. “He was so excited to be graduating and so excited to be done,” said Amy Weinberger, Droz’s girlfriend of three and a half years. But he won’t get the chance to walk across the stage at graduation.