BASKETBALL

Program has a chance to join nation's elite

In the second half of No. 7 seed MSU's 68-46 win over No. 2 seed Florida, sophomore forward/guard Alan Anderson dropped a pretty dime to freshman forward Erazem Lorbek for an easy deuce. As associate head coach Brian Gregory strolled by head coach Tom Izzo to call plays he asked, "Where did that come from?" Gregory was referring to Anderson's true point guard-type pass, however, he could have been talking about the entire team's performance.

BASKETBALL

Chain reaction

Chris Mackinder

March 28, 2003

MSU's recent success is no secret. It's chemistry. The Spartans seem visibly more comfortable now than they did all season.

BASKETBALL

Defending champs on deck for Spartans

Patrick Walters

March 28, 2003

For a young team looking to make a name for itself, a senior-led, experience-laden opponent is the last team it'd want to face.

SPORTS

Gymnast already a star in freshman campaign

Benita Mehta

March 28, 2003

Full of youth and exuberance, freshman gymnast Sarah Alexander came to MSU wanting to compete as hard as she could.

BASKETBALL

Brown scores 23 points in high school all-star game

While most people were likely observing high school basketball phenom LeBron James at the McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game on Wednesday in Cleveland, some others were staring fixedly at two MSU recruits. Guards Brandon Cotton and Shannon Brown showed off their skills at the contest. Troy Jackson, Brown's coach at Proviso East High in Illinois, said Brown was impressive. "Shannon played real well, like I expected him to," Jackson said.

SPORTS

Spartans have wealth of returning talent

Dawn Klemish

March 28, 2003

Despite losing the team's leading scorer to graduation, the MSU women's basketball team has a bright future. Sunday's 50-47 loss to Texas Christian in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament brought the season to an abrupt end.

SPORTS

Sports briefs

Spartans to speak to children on campus About 1,000 Lansing-area elementary students will be on hand for the National Student-Athlete Day Rally today at Jenison Field House. The event recognizes the work of elementary students in the Young Spartan Program.

ICE HOCKEY

Comley expands 'U' offense, expects big season from recruits

James Jahnke

March 28, 2003

For the last several years, the MSU hockey program has been characterized by miserly defense and sturdy goaltending. The Spartans routinely won games by modest scores of 2-0 and 3-1.

SOCCER

Soccer reloads

The men's soccer team replenished its roster by signing six recruits, head coach Joe Baum announced Wednesday.Baum inked two goalkeepers, a midfielder, a defender and two athletes who can play midfield or defense next year.

BASKETBALL

Anderson ignites Spartan offense

Chris Mackinder

March 27, 2003

A month ago, the Spartans were 14-11 and the NCAA Tournament was seemingly wishful thinking.Since, the Spartans (21-12) have won seven out of eight games propelling them into the Sweet 16.

FOOTBALL

Dortch to battle for top running back spot

Kristofer Karol

March 27, 2003

Tyrell Dortch has endured much pain and suffering, but the struggles have also simultaneously rekindled his love for football. "I appreciate everything about football now," the junior running back said.

ICE HOCKEY

Comley says Renfrew will fill need for full-time goalie coach

James Jahnke

March 26, 2003

Troy Ferguson's mind-set is shifting from body checks to books. Ferguson played his final hockey game for MSU in a 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan on Thursday.

BASKETBALL

Lorbek leading balanced attack

Patrick Walters

March 26, 2003

Freshman forward Erazem Lorbek can now make three additions to his résumé - Buffalo tamer, Gator slayer and blissfully aloof hero of MSU's first two NCAA Tournament games. The soft-spoken Ljubljana, Slovenia, native has quietly helped MSU past No.

SPORTS

Bromfield shows leadership, skills in career-ending loss

Dawn Klemish

March 25, 2003

Storrs, Conn. - Every senior wants to earn a victory in the last game of their career. And even though the Spartans lost 50-47 to Texas Christian in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Syreeta Bromfield walked away with her head up.Bromfield went out with a roar during her final game in green and white, nabbing game-highs with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

BASKETBALL

Roberson has unimpressive performance

Chris Mackinder

March 25, 2003

Tampa, Fla. - Freshman guard Anthony Roberson didn't picture it this way. The Saginaw native chose Florida over MSU, and before Sunday, it was hard for anyone to question his decision. The Gators (25-8) were ranked as high as No.

FOOTBALL

Spartan depth chart

2003 spring practice football roster.Starters are bolded.Offense:Defense:Specialists:QBSTUDPKDamon Dowdell (6-1, 225, Jr.) orGreg Taplin (6-5, 257, Sr.)Dave Rayner (6-2, 208, Jr.)Drew Stanton (6-3, 225, R-Fr.)Clifton Ryan (6-2, 281, R-Fr.)Bobby Belmonte (5-9, 167, So.)Jeff Smoker (6-3, 215, Sr.)Alphonso Townsend (6-5, 295, Jr.) Aaron Alexander (6-5, 196, So.)Brian Davies (6-5, 257, Jr.) RBDTPJaren Hayes (5-9, 178, So.) orBrandon McKinney (6-3, 312, Jr.)Jason Daily (6-2, 179, Sr.)Tyrell Dortch (5-10, 209, Jr.)Greg Yeaster (6-1, 265, Jr.)Brandon Fields (6-5, 216, R-Fr.)Jerramy Scott (5-10, 185, R-Fr.)DT Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 287, Jr.)Anthony Belasco (5-9, 196, R-Fr.)Jason Teague (5-9, 185, So.)Matthias Askew (6-6, 292, Jr.) WRRUSHSN(SLOT) Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, So.)Clifford Dukes (6-3, 266, Jr.)Brian Bury (6-0, 255, R-Fr.)Paul Cummings (6-1, 188, Jr.)Luc Mullinder (6-4, 291, Sr.)Andrew Petterson (6-0, 200, Jr.)Charles Barber (6-0, 165, Jr.)David Herron Jr.

ICE HOCKEY

Assistant coach McAuliffe not retained by Comley

Dave McAuliffe finished his 11th season as an MSU assistant hockey coach Thursday. Soon afterward, he found out he won't be around for a 12th year.Head coach Rick Comley decided against renewing McAuliffe's contract for next season.

SPORTS

Lightning holds registration

Workouts have begun for the Lansing Lightning semi-pro football team. Any interested participants should apply at the Baseball Academy of Mid-Michigan, 5849 Enterprise Drive in Lansing. Practices are held from 8-10 p.m.

SPORTS

Freshmen come up big in blowout

Patrick Walters

March 24, 2003

Tampa, Fla. - If the No. 7 seeded MSU's men's basketball team belongs to the sophomores, the freshmen are leasing it out for the NCAA Tournament. For the second straight game, the Spartan (21-12) freshmen have factored heavily into MSU's resurgence as postseason performers. Forward Erazem Lorbek, center Paul Davis and guard Maurice Ager combined for 36 points, 13 rebounds and 71 minutes Sunday in MSU's 68-46 manipulation of second-seeded Florida.

ICE HOCKEY

System could use change

John Markell's team had just been smacked around Joe Louis Arena by Northern Michigan. Dutifully, the Ohio State head coach withstood a press conference during which he had to explain why his players seemed devoid of urgency in their 4-1 loss to the Wildcats in the CCHA Super Six consolation game. As would be expected, once the reporters' questions ceased, Markell made a beeline out of the Joe's makeshift interview room.