ICE HOCKEY
Goaltending key for many teams in West
The Stanley Cup has made its home with teams in the Western Conference for the past two seasons. And that won’t change this year.
ICE HOCKEY
Rivalries will make East games intense
The Stanley Cup playoffs are always fun, and generally, the Western Conference seems to have more intense games than its counterparts in the Eastern Conference.
FOOTBALL
Early enrollees transitioning to new positions
The jump from high school to college football requires more strength and a better knowledge of the game. To help better prepare for this jump, freshmen Donald Spencer and Patrick White decided to get a head start on the process by enrolling at MSU early so they could participate with the team in spring practices.
SPORTS
MSU golfer misses Masters cut by 3 shots
A historic week for MSU golfer Jack Newman ended Friday after he fell three strokes short of making the cut at the Masters in Augusta, Ga. Newman, a junior on the MSU men’s golf team, shot a four-over-par 76 in his second round, leaving him four over par through two rounds. The cut was one over par.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Iowa State loss still troubles MSU coach
About 10 minutes after her team’s season-ending loss to Iowa State, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant located a TV backstage at Haas Pavilion. For the first of what would prove to be many times, Merchant relived the anguishing final 87 seconds of the game. Since the March 28 loss, Merchant estimates she’s replayed the conclusion of the game at least 500 times.
SPORTS
Spartans lose in final match, 4-3 to Purdue, on Senior Day
The MSU women’s tennis team had a chance to send its seniors out with one final home win. With Purdue and MSU tied 3-3 overall on Senior Day, the win would be decided at No. 1 singles, where the match went deep into the third set.
SOFTBALL
Letting it get away
The MSU softball team nearly captured its first Big Ten victory Sunday but lost control in the last few innings, losing to Indiana 5-2 in extra innings, its seventh-straight loss. The Spartans were bolstered early by strong pitching by senior Megan Hair. Hair was nearly flawless through the first four innings, not giving up a hit and allowing only three Hoosiers to reach base.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Looking back
After an underwhelming first month of the season, sophomore guard Kalin Lucas emerged as MSU’s best player right in time for the Big Ten regular season.
SOFTBALL
MSU routed by Purdue
After crushing Detroit Mercy in its first homestand, the second time back for the MSU softball team wasn’t as pleasant. The team was beat handily by Purdue in its doubleheader Thursday, losing 12-0 in the first game and 8-3 in the nightcap.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Most players returning in conference
The 2008-09 college basketball season just ended, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season. With that being said, here’s an early look at how the Big Ten should stack up next season. Disagree? Send me your predictions at altmanal@msu.edu.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Reporter looks forward to next year's team
One of the best things about sports is that there’s always next year (just ask Chicago Cubs fans). And while the MSU men’s basketball team had an unbelievable run to the national championship game, losing 89-72 to North Carolina on Monday night, it’s never too early to look ahead to the future.
SPORTS
MSU golfer performs well in first round of Masters
MSU golfer Jack Newman fired an even-par 72 Thursday at the Masters tournament in Augusta, Ga., completing his opening round with four birdies in the final five holes.
SPORTS
Michigan trounces MSU men's tennis, 7-0
The MSU vs. Michigan rivalry always brings out the best in both teams. But on Wednesday afternoon, the No. 49 Wolverines showed dominance on the tennis court as they defeated the Spartans 7-0 at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.
BASEBALL
Moody earns national honors
After throwing the MSU baseball team’s first no-hitter in more than 16 years Saturday, MSU senior pitcher Nolan Moody was named Pro-Line Athletic Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He was also named to the Collegiate Baseball newspaper’s Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week list and the College Baseball Foundation’s National All-Star Lineup.
SPORTS
Newman paired with PGA veterans
MSU junior golfer Jack Newman opens play in the first round of the Masters is in Augusta, Ga., which begins today. On Tuesday, the pairings were announced for the first two days of the tournament. Newman will be playing with PGA Tour veterans Rocco Mediate and Fred Couples.
SOFTBALL
No place like home for MSU
After recent snow pushed the MSU softball team’s doubleheader with Purdue to today, the Spartans spent Wednesday’s practice catching up for lost time. Because of scheduling and bad weather, the team wasn’t able to practice on the field for nearly a week, something the team will try to counter as it prepares for one of the fastest teams in the Big Ten, head coach Jacquie Joseph said.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Grades confirm successful 2008-09 season
The MSU men’s basketball team ended its 2008-09 season in the national championship game Monday night, overcoming injuries, illnesses and naysayers throughout the season. With a final record of 31-7, this year’s team etched its name in the program record book with the third-most wins in program history.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Guards Allen, Lucious undergo surgery
MSU guards Chris Allen and Korie Lucious will undergo surgery Friday to repair broken bones in their right feet, according to an MSU Athletic Communications release.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Spartans have talent for 2010 Final Four run
The MSU men’s basketball team fell one game short of the mountaintop Monday, losing to North Carolina 89-72 in the National Championship at Ford Field. But don’t despair, Spartans fans, because MSU will be back on college basketball’s biggest stage next season. With a talented nucleus of players set to return, MSU should enter the 2009 campaign as a top-five team in the nation and a foolproof favorite (I’m looking at you, Digger Phelps) to return to the Final Four.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
MSU finishes 2nd in USA Today/ESPN poll
The MSU men’s basketball team finished the season at No. 2 in the final USA Today/ESPN poll released Tuesday. National champion North Carolina received all 31 first-place votes.