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Sports | 1000

SPORTS

March Madness in full swing

Chris Meagher
March 21, 2005

With March Madness already upon us, people in offices, dorm floors and classrooms are jumping into pools all over the country, especially at MSU. Brackets have been filled out all over campus and groups sprung up seemingly everywhere. English sophomore David Janisse is participating in two pools this year, one with his family that he does every year, and one with a group of about a dozen friends. "It's just for fun," Janisse said.

SPORTS

Spartans wear out Vermont

Brian Charlton
March 21, 2005

Worcester, Mass. - Hunched over with his hands resting on his knees, Vermont star forward Taylor Coppenrath barely had the energy to shake hands with the MSU team that ended his college basketball career in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. Coppenrath and his four fellow Catamounts starters should have been exhausted.

ICE HOCKEY

Not enough

Eric Fish
March 21, 2005

The Spartans missed the tournament cut for the second time in three years and have only been to the dance once since Rick Comley took over the reign of head coach from former head coach and current MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason.

ICE HOCKEY

Disappointing finish

Eric Fish
March 21, 2005

It wasn't the way the senior class wanted to go out. After annihilating Nebraska-Omaha in the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals Thursday to extend a season-high win streak to six, the MSU hockey team closed the season with two straight losses.

SPORTS

Slater gave his all to MSU hockey during his 4 years

On an MSU hockey road trip to Miami (Ohio) in early January, a RedHawks fan overheard that I wanted to speak with senior captain Jim Slater following one of the games. The fan turned to me and said, "You requested Slater for postgame?" I nodded my head.

SPORTS

Familiarize with the foes

Chris Meagher
March 17, 2005

Alcorn State Nickname: Lady Braves Founded: 1871 Location: Claiborne County, Miss. Enrollment: 3,100 Famous alumni: Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair History: Alcorn State was the nation's first state-supported institution for the higher education of black students. Athletics: NCAA Division 1-A; Southwestern Athletic Conference Record: 21-8 Leading scorer: LaToya Johnson, 12.5 ppg Other: Third trip to NCAAs, first since 2001 Source: Alcorn State Old Dominion Nickname: Monarchs, a royal crown on a lion's head, representing an historic past and a strong future Founded: 1930 Location: Norfolk, Va. Enrollment: 20,802 Famous alumni: ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris, NASA astronaut Michael Bloomfield Athletics: NCAA Division 1-A; Colonial Athletic Association Record: 28-5 Leading scorer: Alex Loughton, 13.9 ppg Number of players not from the United States: Five Other: Eighth trip to NCAAs, first trip since 1997, 2-7 record in the NCAAs Source: Old Dominion

ICE HOCKEY

Experience at Joe Louis a plus for MSU

Eric Fish
March 17, 2005

The MSU hockey team heads into the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals game today at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit against a Nebraska-Omaha team it has much in common with. The Spartans and Mavericks have identical overall records of 19-15-4 and split their only regular-season series in late October with respective 5-2 decisions. The Spartans were all over Nebraska-Omaha the first game of the series, only to come out flat in the second game. "Probably the game I think we played our worst in was that second game way back in October," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of the Oct.

SPORTS

Breaking down Old Dominion

Matt Bishop
March 17, 2005

So what's the deal with Old Dominion, anyway? Old Dominion is a university located in Norfolk, Va., and is home to 20,802 students with 16 intercollegiate athletics teams. This is the No.

ICE HOCKEY

Bear hat proving more than its worth

Eric Fish
March 16, 2005

Riding the bear. That's been the superstitious motto of the MSU hockey team's recent five-game winning streak after a goofball bear hat purchased by senior captain Jim Slater at an airport in Alaska has proven to be an unlikely good luck charm. "I was going to get a wolf one," Slater said.

BASKETBALL

Team, media names Anderson team MVP

Matt Bishop
March 16, 2005

The MSU men's basketball team announced its award winners at its Basketball Bust on Monday. Senior swingman Alan Anderson was named the team's Most Valuable Player by both the team and the media. Along with senior guard Kelvin Torbert, Anderson also was awarded the John E.

SPORTS

Team preps for Lady Braves

Chris Barsotti
March 16, 2005

For the No. 6 MSU women's basketball team, the seed the Spartans received meant nothing compared to finally knowing who they will play. "We are just glad to finally have an opponent to prepare for," junior forward Liz Shimek said.

BASKETBALL

Izzo: Team needs big games from Hill, Torbert

Brian Charlton
March 15, 2005

Following a close loss to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, MSU head coach Tom Izzo said Sunday was a much better day. With calls from former coach Jud Heathcote and Earvin "Magic" Johnson and individual meetings with players, he said he felt better. "I've tried to come to grips with what this team is all about," Izzo said.

BASKETBALL

Tulsa nabs Wojcik as coach

Brian Charlton
March 15, 2005

MSU head coach Tom Izzo is sending another apprentice out into the head coaching world. MSU associate head coach Doug Wojcik was hired by Tulsa on Monday to replace interim head coach Alvin Williamson, who led the Golden Hurricane to a 9-20 season after John Phillips resigned in December. Wojcik is the sixth coach under Izzo to nab a head coaching job. Wojcik will stick with MSU for the NCAA Tournament including Friday's opening game against Old Dominion, but has a short timetable to assemble his staff. Izzo joked at his weekly Monday press conference that the bad news was former MSU coach Jud Heathcote called to say he's interested in the position. "But I think I'm going for 10 years younger, and we're going to hire Gene Keady," Izzo said with a laugh. Izzo said when Wojcik came to MSU, there was an understanding it would be a short stop before he snagged a head coaching job but his contribution would help the Spartans and give Wojcik the extra experience he needed. Hiring Wojcik puts Tulsa back on track with past practices of hiring up-and-coming coaches including Tubby Smith, Bill Self and Buzz Peterson. Wojcik has spent two seasons at MSU, specializing in recruiting and scouting.

SPORTS

Women's team deserved No. 1 seed

Chris Barsotti
March 15, 2005

The Spartans claimed their first-ever No. 1 seeding, but many in the women's college basketball world do not agree with it. After the first three regions were released on Sunday, two candidates were left for the No.