Friday, March 29, 2024

Sports | Men's Basketball

MEN'S BASKETBALL

In close game, Spartans beat OSU, 59-56

Keith Appling stood at the free throw line, stared straight ahead and exhaled deeply. After being hounded all night by Ohio State’s Aaron Craft, MSU’s junior guard had the chance to get the last laugh. Appling delivered. Calmly sinking both free throws, Appling sealed a big victory for the No.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Flying in the Face of Fear

The scream echoed throughout a Breslin Center stunned into silence. As he writhed on the floor in pain Sunday night, one phrase kept repeating itself in Branden Dawson’s mind. “Please, please don’t let this happen to me again.” For a moment, the sophomore guard thought his worst fear had become a terrifying reality. Dawson defied the odds at the beginning of the season in returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in his left knee three months ahead of schedule and with nearly identical, jaw-dropping athleticism and leaping ability. But as he laid underneath Nebraska’s basket, clutching his knee after being fouled on a fast break layup, many wondered if the seven months spent in rehab went for naught. Tom Izzo was “crushed,” Adreian Payne was “nervous,” and Derrick Nix was “just praying that he was alright.”

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans set to take on Penn State on the road

After Wednesday’s game against Penn State (8-8 overall, 0-4 Big Ten), eight of the Spartans’ (14-3, 3-1) next 14 games come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. Of the final 15 games, eight come on the road, including historically tough venues at Wisconsin and Purdue.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Live chat: MSU men's basketball defeats Iowa, 62-59

The No. 22 MSU men’s basketball team (12-3 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) travels to Iowa City, Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes (11-4, 0-2). To follow the game, share your thoughts and ask questions to The State News’ men’s basketball reporter, Josh Mansour, join the live chat.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gary Harris puts up career-high scoring effort in win over Purdue

When Gary Harris took the floor for his first Big Ten game at Breslin Center, he prepared to square off against one of his home state school and mother’s alma mater for the first time. It’s been a tough month for the freshman guard and Fishers, Ind., native as he spent extra time working to regain his shooting touch after spraining his shoulder earlier in the season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Sophomore guard Kearney to leave MSU basketball team

Brandan Kearney reportedly is leaving the MSU basketball program. Head coach Tom Izzo told reporters after practice on Friday the sophomore guard has decided to leave after being unhappy in his role. On numerous occasions, Izzo said Kearney was among the best on the team at understanding his role and how he fits into the scheme of the program.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Nix's development shines in victory over Texas

It’s no secret that Derrick Nix’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. Since his freshman season in 2009, Nix has been embroiled in battles over his weight, his footwork, his conditioning, his maturity within the locker room and, more notably, his highly-publicized personal demons.