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Sports | 1000

SPORTS

MSU has everything it needs from Izzo

St. Louis - What a guy. That says it all about MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who personifies everything you could want from a coach on and off the court. On the court, he is a fiery professional who stands up for his team when the situation calls for it, but he also is an extremely classy individual who shows the proper respect to the opposing team and its players. Off the court, Izzo has a larger-than-life personality, but that does not translate at all to his ego, which, like his team's, is nonexistent. Junior center Paul Davis calls Izzo's passion for the game unmatched and says that he wants to have just a piece of Izzo's passion.

FOOTBALL

Spartans show support for fellow athletes in tourneys

Chris Meagher
March 31, 2005

The MSU football team will take the field for its fourth spring practice of the year today, but the Spartans said they realize they are probably sitting second fiddle to the basketball program. Both the men's and women's basketball teams have advanced to the Final Four, and the MSU football team is among the ballers' biggest supporters. "Everybody's watching," senior defensive back Eric Smith said.

SOFTBALL

MSU takes on winless Valparaiso

Jacqueline Wayneguite
March 31, 2005

The MSU softball team has had time to rest and prepare for its away game against Valparaiso today, after its first home games were canceled last weekend. The Spartans were originally scheduled to play Central Michigan last Thursday and Loyola-Chicago on Saturday.

BASEBALL

Team commits 6 errors, loses 9-4 in home opener against Wayne State

Steve Eder
March 31, 2005

The MSU baseball team dropped its second game in a row Wednesday against Wayne State in its home opener at Kobs Field. Wayne State led early 2-0 and never looked back to pull off the 9-4 win. With the conference season opener coming up Friday at Iowa, MSU manager Ted Mahan isn't happy with his team's efforts. Starting freshman pitcher Mark Sorenson gave up four runs on five hits in three innings.

SPORTS

Familiar sources motivate team

Brian Charlton
March 30, 2005

Only three days until the Final Four. That means the MSU men's basketball team is trying to keep all the distractions out as the Spartans tune up for the biggest game of their college careers. After beating two of the best college programs, Duke and Kentucky, the Spartans don't have much time to celebrate as Saturday's game against North Carolina is quickly approaching. "Focus is probably the number one key of this week," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.

SPORTS

4 WCHA teams to fight in Frozen Four

Eric Fish
March 29, 2005

For the first time in tournament history, the hockey NCAA Tournament will feature four teams from the WCHA conference in the Frozen Four. Minnesota, North Dakota, Denver and Colorado College will all vie for college hockey's top prize in Columbus, Ohio April 7-9. Colorado College will face defending national champion Denver in the first semifinal game, while Minnesota and North Dakota will battle in the other for the rights to play in the national championship game at 7 p.m.

SPORTS

3 Big Ten squads advance to Eight

Matt Bishop
March 28, 2005

Austin, Texas - MSU head coach Tom Izzo has been singing the Big Ten's praises all year long. For the first time, people don't look at him like he's a loon when he does so. That's because three teams from the Big Ten conference have advanced to the Elite Eight, more than any other conference. "Over the last couple years, it seems like we were put down to nothing," Izzo said.

SPORTS

Anderson will leave big shoes to be filled

A player of this type does not come through the door often. In this day of shoe contracts, enticing multi-million dollar pro deals and selfishness, it is rare to see a player with the type of team dedication that will forgo personal statistics in order help his team to the highest level possible. But that is exactly what Alan Anderson has done his whole career for his head coach Tom Izzo. Anderson is a rare breed, someone who can effortlessly play any position asked of him and do it with the type of precision that makes him look like he was born to play it. After manning the point last season, Anderson was asked to move to - of all spots - power forward this season.

SPORTS

And then there were four

Chris Meagher
March 28, 2005

Michigan State For the first time, MSU's seniors are going to the Final Four. MSU defeated Kentucky in double overtime, 94-88, to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. No.

SPORTS

Nightingale signs pro contract with Grrrowl

Eric Fish
March 24, 2005

Senior forward Adam Nightingale signed an ECHL contract with the Greenville Grrrowl on Tuesday. He is the first Spartan from this year's senior class to make the jump to the professional level. Nightingale was a two-year assistant captain at MSU and finished his MSU career with 11 goals and 10 assists in 67 games.

SPORTS

Familiarize with the foes

Chris Meagher
March 24, 2005

Duke Mascot: Blue Devils Location: Durham, N.C. Enrollment: 6,347 Founded: 1838 as Trinity College Colors: Royal blue and white Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference Famous alumni: Attorney Kenneth Starr, former U.S.

SPORTS

Clutten competing in NCAAs starting Friday

Eric Fish
March 24, 2005

Junior swimmer Ian Clutten will be the lone Spartan heading to the 2005 NCAA Championships which starts noon today in Minneapolis. The Capetown, South Africa, native will compete in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. This season in the Big Ten Championships, Clutten placed third in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes as MSU came in ninth place.

SPORTS

Hockey team scores verbal commitment

Eric Fish
March 24, 2005

MSU head coach Rick Comley and the Spartans scored another recruit when defenseman Matt Shouneyia of the NAHL's Cleveland Barons verbally committed to MSU for the upcoming 2005-06 season. Shouneyia, a 6-footer from West Bloomfield, is the captain of the Barons and ranks fifth among NAHL defenseman with 30 points.