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Sports | Basketball Men's 1000

FOOTBALL

MSU football looking for revenge, big conference win

Darqueze Dennard has been asked about it more times than he can count. And now, he’s out for blood. Last season, the then-junior cornerback returned a 96-yard interception on a pass by Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez for a touchdown, which would have put the Spartans in the position to beat the Huskers for the first time in history. Instead, the play was called back on a penalty, opening the door for the Huskers to score on their final drive of the game to defeat the Spartans, 28-24.

FOOTBALL

With Martinez out, Spartans' defense prepares for Armstrong

If Nebraska senior quarterback Taylor Martinez made the following statement about MSU, few would raise an eyebrow. “They are one of the best defenses in the country … but at the same time, they can be beat. Our offense, when we’re clicking, we’re clicking. I don’t think anybody in this country can stop us when we’re doing our thing.”

VOLLEYBALL

Moster making most of junior year

Since becoming a member of the MSU volleyball team, junior libero Kori Moster knew she wanted to leave her mark on the program. In her three years as a Spartan, her impact has been considerable. In addition to strong leadership, the co-captain has entered her name into Spartan lore.

FOOTBALL

Three keys for Nebraska by The Daily Nebraskan's Nedu Izu

Nebraska is just about the only roadblock on the Spartans’ way to the Big Ten Championship. With kickoff two days away, fans from Lincoln, Neb. and East Lansing are itching to see how the game will pan out. To paint a clearer picture for Saturday, The Daily Nebraskan’s football reporter Nedu Izu compiled three keys to the game for the Cornhuskers to take home the victory. Here are the steps the Red and White need to follow to deliver a blow to MSU’s title game hopes.

SPORTS

Field hockey blanks RedHawks, advance to NCAA first round

The improbable postseason run continues. Two games after scoring a game-winner against Ohio State to clinch the Big Ten Championship, junior forward Allie Ahern scored a team-high two goals to lead MSU (13-9 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) to a 3-0 shutout over Miami (OH) to propel the Spartans from the play-in round to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Appling plays big against Wildcats

CHICAGO — He might have said No. 2 MSU didn’t have anything to prove, but Keith Appling proved a little something to the many NBA scouts in attendance for MSU’s 78-74 win against No. 1 Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night. While many scouts were at the United Center in Chicago to see likely lottery picks, such as Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins and Julius Randle, MSU’s senior point guard quietly posted one of the best games of the night and of his career.

BASKETBALL

4 takeaways from MSU's win over Kentucky

The Spartans secured a nationally televised statement win against No. 1 Kentucky, 78-74, on the strength of their experienced and versatile roster at the Champions Classic event in Chicago. If the No. 2-ranked MSU men’s basketball team (2-0 overall) can put away Columbia at Breslin Center on Friday, it should claim the No. 1 slot when the new rankings are unveiled Monday.

BASKETBALL

Champions Classic will face off experience with new talent

As a freshman, Branden Dawson was guarding one of the nation’s premier players on one of the largest stages. The now-junior forward was guarding North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in his first collegiate game, as well as the first game ever played on an aircraft carrier in front of the President of the United States and a nationally televised audience. On Tuesday, No. 2 MSU will be back on the big stage, this time in Chicago for the Champions Classic against No. 1 Kentucky.

MEN'S SOCCER

Bennett continues to star in net for MSU

It’s safe to say Zach Bennett is one of the best goalkeepers in the country. The sophomore goalkeeper at the back of the No. 18 MSU men’s soccer team is ninth in the country in save percentage (.865), 15th in total saves (90), 17th in saves per game (5.29) and 32nd in goals against average (.769).

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo, MSU looking for No. 1 spot

As his team prepares for tipoff in a highly touted contest against No. 1 Kentucky in Chicago, head coach Tom Izzo said Monday he can’t remember a non-Final Four matchup with as much national buzz as tonight’s Champions Classic is receiving.