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Men’s basketball plays “fat and sassy” in losses
The past two weeks have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for Tom Izzo and the No. 9 MSU men’s basketball team.
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Indiana wins starting lineup battle in 72-68 MSU loss
East Lansing’s first top-five matchup didn’t go the way Spartan fans had hoped, and now MSU looks to pick up the pieces.
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Spartans trump Nebraska, 73-64, maintain momentum after U-M game
Coming off one of the biggest victories of the season against No. 4 Michigan, the talk of practice this week for the No.
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How they did it
On Tuesday, The State News published five keys for the Spartans to win the first ever top-10 clash with the rival Wolverines. The No. 8 MSU men’s basketball team (21-4 overall, 10-2 Big Ten) dominated No. 4 Michigan (21-4, 8-4) from start to finish, winning 75-52 in front of a frenzied crowd of 14,797 in attendance. Here’s how MSU fared when it came to the pregame keys.
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Freshmen face-off
The talk began months ago, back when the ink dried on their letters of intent. The greatest University of Michigan freshman class since the Fab Five.
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Column: Men's basketball played as great as they wanted to in win over Michigan
With a crowd of media surrounding him near his locker late Tuesday night, Derrick Nix was asked a question he knew was coming. Given the events that had just transpired, it was inevitable. “How great can you guys be?”
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Live chat: MSU men's basketball versus Michigan
Follow along with our live chat from Breslin Center as the No. 8 MSU men’s basketball team takes on the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines in a top-10 showdown.
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Keys to victory
The Spartans and Wolverines have met on the hardwood 169 other times, but never like this, never as a pair of top-10 teams.
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The Long Road Home
He stood at the bench with Tom Izzo, and after a brief conversation, headed to the scorer’s table, checking into the game for the final time. “Now entering the game for the Spartans, number 22, Branden Dawson.” The announcer’s call echoed throughout Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., but it was the following sound that left the greatest impression — a deafening silence.
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Column: 20-win men's basketball team still searching for identity
West Lafayette, Ind. — When Tom Izzo looked out on practice Friday and saw two of his top guards sitting out injured and several other players hobbled, he didn’t know what he had. Could they be healthy enough to compete in a tough road environment? Would they be mature enough to focus on the game at hand and avoid getting caught looking ahead to a matchup with arch-rival Michigan on Tuesday? It didn’t take long for Izzo to get his answer. The No.
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Playing through Pain
As Tom Izzo made his way to the podium he handed off a towel, took a seat, sighed and smiled. The always-talkative Izzo caught himself in a rare moment, “speechless” — unsure of what to say about a performance that didn’t meet his expectations and a team growing more hobbled by the second. “I’m healthy, my wife’s healthy, my trainer’s in great shape, other than that we’ve got problems,” Izzo said. It started with Gary Harris’ back. Then it was Branden Dawson’s ankle. Add on a bloody — initially feared to be broken — nose for Adreian Payne, a shoulder popping out of place for Keith Appling, and a head injury that prevented Travis Trice from even suiting up. One can begin to understand why Izzo is simply thankful for his own health. Despite it all, the No.
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Harris shows heroism in MSU victory
It certainly wasn’t a pretty showing by the No. 12 MSU men’s basketball team Wednesday at Breslin Center.
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Men's basketball rallies from sluggish start, defeats Minnesota
After plodding through an ugly first half, the No. 12 MSU men’s basketball team (19-4 overall, 8-2 Big Ten) used an energetic second half to come from behind and defeat No. 18 Minnesota (17-6, 5-5), 61-50, on Wednesday night at Breslin Center.
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Harris probable, Trice unlikely to play in Minnesota rematch because of injury
Tom Izzo has developed many friends in the coaching business. After 18 years with the MSU men’s basketball program, it’s bound to happen.
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Dawson looks to step up
When Branden Dawson thinks about his performance in MSU’s past game, Thursday against Illinois, one word sticks in his mind — “embarrassing.”
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Injuries might sideline Harris, Trice
The bench continues to shrink for the No. 12 MSU men’s basketball team. After battling the injury bug earlier this season, freshman guard Gary Harris and sophomore guard Travis Trice both left Thursday’s 80-75 win against Illinois with a new set of ailments.
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Valentine appears to be past freshman wall
Weaving his way through the defense, Denzel Valentine spotted his teammate open in the corner on the opposite side of the court — yet, that wasn’t where he passed the ball.
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Searching for his wings
From the moment he steps on the Breslin Center floor, Russell Byrd hears everything.
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Appling leads comeback charge in 80-75 win over Illinois
When the game is on the line, MSU head coach Tom Izzo has few question where the ball belongs. A slick pass here. A layup there. And not to mention, pure ice in the veins at the free throw line.
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Trice, Harris leave Illinois game after injuries; statuses unknown
A lineup initially altered to address off the court issues now faces serious on the court concerns, as the Spartans wait to learn of the fate of guards Gary Harris and Travis Trice.