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

Josh Mansour

January 5, 2013

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.

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MSU defeats Purdue 84-61 in Big Ten home opener

Josh Mansour

January 5, 2013

The rugged, neck-and-neck Big Ten play expected in one of the nation’s toughest basketball conferences lasted only a half in the Spartans’ conference home opener.

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Dawson, MSU look to bounce back against Purdue at home

Dillon Davis

January 4, 2013

After watching Purdue (7-6 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) upset No. 11 Illinois on Wednesday, sophomore guard Branden Dawson said he needs a strong showing for the No. 18 Spartans (11-3, 0-1), who dropped their Big Ten opener against No. 9 Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

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Sophomore guard Kearney to leave MSU basketball team

Dillon Davis

December 28, 2012

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.

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Nix's development shines in victory over Texas

Dillon Davis

December 22, 2012

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.

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Spartans beat Texas 67-56 behind career-high scoring effort from Nix

Dillon Davis

December 22, 2012

From his opening bucket where he drained a hook shot and pumped his fists as he ran back on defense, Derrick Nix was on his game.

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Column: MSU basketball program will survive without Parker

Josh Mansour

December 20, 2012

Parker’s announcement means MSU’s 2013 recruiting class still is without any committed players, and it’s possible the Spartans might not bring in any new recruits next season for the first time in head coach Tom Izzo’s tenure. This shouldn’t be a cause for panic among MSU basketball fans.

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MSU loses recruiting battle for top recruit: Parker chooses Duke

Dillon Davis

December 20, 2012

Standing in front of his friends, family and a large television audience at Chicago Simeon High, the 6-foot-8 small forward Jabari Parker announced his intentions to attend Duke following a long recruiting process.

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MSU basketball team uses break to increase practice time, prepare for tougher schedule

Josh Mansour

December 18, 2012

“It’s a big week,” Nix said. “We ain’t got no more cupcakes. Let the party start.”

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Spartans defeat Tuskegee in historically significant game at Jenison Field House

Dillon Davis

December 16, 2012

It was a night of historic moments that certainly wasn’t lost on head coach Tom Izzo, who imparted the lessons taken away from the positives of such a cultural shift in American history.

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In game at Jenison Field House, MSU rallies to beat Tuskegee

Dillon Davis

December 15, 2012

In the first game at Jenison Field House in more than two decades, the No. 19 MSU men’s basketball team overcame an ugly first half to defeat Division II Tuskegee 92-56.

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Spartans leading Tuskegee by seven at halftime

Josh Mansour

December 15, 2012

The Commodores had come and gone, the new lights were shining bright and an electric crowd had found some unusual seats.

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Spartans ready to return to Jenison Field House in historic game

Josh Mansour

December 15, 2012

When Keith Appling thinks of Jenison Field House, three people come to mind: Jud Heathcote, Magic Johnson and Gregory Kelser.

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Cleaves, former Spartan stars in celebratory mood for alumni game

Josh Mansour

December 14, 2012

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Matteen Cleaves held the ball in his hands, making sure he left Magic Johnson’s old stomping grounds in the same manner the Flintstone did the last time he wore Spartan green: victoriously.

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Injury leaves Heathcote unable to return to campus this weekend

Josh Mansour

December 12, 2012

After men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo spent most of his weekly press conference sharing his excitement about the return of his mentor this weekend, an accident has resulted in a change of plans.

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No. 19 Spartans rout Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Izzo unhappy with team's effort

Dillon Davis

December 6, 2012

Before the No. 19 MSU basketball team took the floor Wednesday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Tom Izzo vowed he’d have a much fairer evaluation of his team than he did on Saturday against Nicholls State. But even after the No. 19 Spartans thoroughly routed the Golden Lions on Wednesday evening at Breslin Center, the veteran head coach didn’t like what he saw.

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No. 19 Spartans host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in nonconference tilt

Dillon Davis

December 4, 2012

As is the case for many college basketball teams this time of year, there still are kinks to be worked out by head coach Tom Izzo and the No. 19 MSU basketball team. However, in the nonconference season, aside from a few games, it’s often hard to find a fair point of evaluation.

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Spartans welcome extra practice time

Josh Mansour

December 3, 2012

Extra practice time isn’t something basketball players usually are fond of.

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No. 13 Spartans fall to Miami, 67-59

Josh Mansour

November 28, 2012

Changes might be on the horizon for the No. 13 MSU men’s basketball team (5-2) after falling to Miami (4-1), 67-59, in Coral Gables, Fla., Wednesday night.

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Spartans fall to Miami in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Josh Mansour

November 28, 2012

A 14-2 spurt to open the second half was too much for the No. 13 MSU men’s basketball team (5-2) as they fell to Miami (4-1) 67-59, Wednesday night in Coral Gables, Fla.