SPORTS
'U' to build off victory; hosts Michigan today
The MSU women's soccer team will try to build off its win at Oakland on Sunday when the Spartans host Michigan at 3 p.m.
SPORTS
Big Ten title up in the air as field hockey team takes on Indiana, undefeated Iowa
Losing at Michigan last Saturday "sucked" according to senior forward Veerle Goudswaard. After the 1-0 overtime loss for the No.
SPORTS
Tennis team travels to Ann Arbor for tourney
The MSU men's tennis team heads to Ann Arbor for the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Men's Regional Championship Thursday through Tuesday. Freshmen Brian Compton and Adam Monich will play Friday in the qualifying rounds.
SPORTS
Gen. Izzo leads troops for new year
So I'm sitting through my first MSU basketball practice and I'm surprised by what I see. Guys are hitting the floor hard every two seconds.
FOOTBALL
Week off to soothe injuries, gear up for U-M
For most football teams, there is an air of judgment that comes with the bye week. It can be bad for a team on a winning streak because the time off can potentially erode that positive momentum.
ICE HOCKEY
Team readies for bigger ice
After a split this past weekend with St. Lawrence and New Hampshire, the No. 9 MSU hockey team will travel to Marquette to play Northern Michigan. An oddity of the Wildcats' home, the Berry Events Center, is that it hosts an Olympic-sized ice sheet.
VOLLEYBALL
Frosh setter already making impact at 'U'
Back in high school, MSU volleyball freshman setter Maggie Griffin was the girl who got pegged with the nickname "Jolly." As in, the Jolly Green Giant. At 6 foot, Griffin was easily the tallest girl in school, but she didn't mind the nickname - it was being tall that helped her play the game she loved so much. In her first season at MSU, Griffin already has proven her worth as a powerhouse on the court, despite being a rookie to college sports, head coach Chuck Erbe said. "She's a special player," Erbe said.
BASKETBALL
Young backups ready to play alongside Davis
Each new basketball season is an opportunity for unproven players - young and old - to rise up, play more minutes and have a greater impact. This season, sophomore power forward Delco Rowley and sophomore center Drew Naymick are prime candidates to fill that role in the Spartans' frontcourt. And with an eager, talented batch of freshmen big men new on campus this season, Rowley and Naymick must step up while the opening is there. "I'm looking forward to those two coming in and stepping up and playing in these games because I've told them that this is the time to do it," junior center Paul Davis said.
SPORTS
Men's cross country team debuts at No. 27
With its 12th place finish at the Pre-NCAA Invitational this past weekend, the MSU men's cross country team has found itself in the national rankings, as the Spartans sit at No.
SPORTS
Dortch shines on rainy day against Gophers
Senior bandit and captain Tyrell Dortch's story has been well documented. Dortch came to MSU as a running back, and the next season he switched to cornerback but a horrendous injury almost ended his career.
SPORTS
Men's golf in 2nd after first day of tourney
The No. 23-ranked MSU men's golf team is in second place after the first day of the Duke Classic.
SPORTS
Ice hockey tickets still available to the public
A small quantity of hockey season tickets are still available to the general public. The tickets, which are renewable, are good for the remaining 19 games, including three CCHA playoff games. The bench-seat tickets cost $342 each ($294 for MSU employees) and are located in the east and west ends of Munn Ice Arena. Also available are Spartan Hockey Mini-Plan tickets.
SPORTS
'S' is for success in Spartans win against Gophers
Hello boys and girls, the letter of the day is 'S.' S is for the Spartans, who beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers silly this past weekend. S is for score, as MSU scored 51 points, while the Gophers could only manage 17, less than a certain baseball team. S is for Stanton, as in Drew, MSU's sophomore quarterback who amassed a ridiculous 410 total yards in offense against the then-No.
SPORTS
Neitzel fills void of true point guard
He's the first "true" point guard the MSU basketball team has had in three years, he's the 2004 Mr. Basketball Award winner from Michigan, and he's expected to play a big role on this year's team. He's freshman guard Drew Neitzel, and he's got a lot of pressure to be the next great Spartan point guard and the answer to their recent problems at that position. "This is a national stage, and it's the reason you come here," Neitzel said.
SPORTS
Men's soccer upsets Michigan, 3-2, in OT
The MSU men's soccer team snapped a two-game losing streak Sunday with a 3-2 overtime victory over Michigan in front of a U-M record 2,306 fans at the Michigan Soccer Field in Ann Arbor. MSU got on the board first when senior midfielder John Minagawa-Webster got ahold of junior forward Ryan McMahen's corner kick and put it into the U-M goal.
SPORTS
Izzo goes back to basics as he stresses defense, rebounding for way of winning a championship
It does not take Tom Izzo long to identify his team's shortcomings last season. Oddly enough, they are among the principles Izzo has established as trademarks of MSU basketball as he heads into his 10th season as head coach. "We will defend this year," Izzo said last Wednesday at the team's media day.
SPORTS
Simmons emerging as leader; sets high standards for team
For wrestling co-captain Andy Simmons, anything less than taking first at the NCAA Tournament will be a disappointment. Simmons has set the bar high for himself for the 2004-05 season and knows that in order to achieve that mark, it will take work. "I know I'm going to work my butt off," he said. The NCAA rankings for this wrestling season have not been announced yet, but Simmons already is planning his move up.
SPORTS
Fretter's 2 goals spark win vs. No. 8 Wildcats
After a disappointing 3-1 loss Friday to unranked St. Lawrence, the No. 7 MSU hockey team looked to rebound Sunday afternoon against No.
SPORTS
Spikers drop 2 weekend matches; now winless in 5
Even though the MSU volleyball team (6-10 overall, 1-7 Big Ten) fell to both No. 8 Ohio State and No.