With the grind of the Big Ten regular season underway, MSU men’s basketball has hit a roadblock, losing their last three games and four of their last five.
The last time MSU met with Purdue, the stakes were much larger. It was the 2016 Big Ten Tournament championship game and the Spartans came away victorious for head coach Tom Izzo’s fifth conference tournament title. Nearly a year later, the No. 20 Boilermakers (17-5 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), would strengthen their bid with another conference win Tuesday, after defeating the Spartans (12-9 overall, 5-4 Big Ten), 84-73.
Follow along with The State News and their basketball writers, Connor Clark and Casey Harrison, as MSU men's basketball (12-8 overall, 4-3) hosts No. 20 Purdue (16-4 overall, 5-2). Send in your comments and questions or tweet at our beat writers.
Head coach Tom Izzo took to the podium Monday afternoon knowing his team is still capable of reaching its goals. It was the second time he addressed the media in less than a week, and the first time since the Spartans fell short of completing a 20-point comeback against Indiana on Saturday. With No. 20 Purdue coming to the Breslin Tuesday and the University of Michigan visiting Sunday, Izzo emphasized the importance of this week for the program as the Spartans reach a crossroads in the season.
MSU fans and freshman forward Miles Bridges will get a look at an old friend in Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan on Tuesday at the Breslin Center. While he is now a foe to the fans, the 6-foot-9, 250 pound sophomore forward was once a commit to MSU, but split to a school closer to his hometown of Fort Wayne, Ind.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Head coach Tom Izzo was very frank and visibly distressed after Saturday’s loss to Indiana. The Spartans (12-8 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) came close against the Hoosiers (14-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), but were ultimately outshot and out-rebounded for another road loss in conference play.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Limbo — something commonly known as a state of uncertainty, where direction is lost and answers remain unsolved. MSU men’s basketball (12-8, 4-3 Big Ten) is in limbo after dropping another game on the road in Bloomington, Ind.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Three after three after three for Indiana's James Blackmon Jr. powers the Indiana Hoosiers (14-6 overall, 4-3) past MSU men's basketball (12-8 overall, 4-3) 82-75 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. After making his first six shots in the first half, Blackmon would end the first half with 18 points. Fifth-year senior Eron Harris and freshman forward Nick Ward had 11 and 8 points respectfully, in the first half. Blackmon wasn't done to start the second half, netting another 3-point basket on their first offensive possession.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — MSU men's basketball (12-7 overall, 4-2) trails Indiana (13-6 overall, 3-3) 44-30 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
Follow along with The State News and their basketball writers, Casey Harrison and Connor Clark as MSU men's basketball (12-7 overall, 4-2) is on the road against Indiana University (13-6 overall, 3-3). Feel free to send your comments and questions below.
MSU men’s basketball (12-7 overall, 4-2) will face their doppelganger on Saturday when they face Indiana University (13-6 overall, 3-3) at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
In a continuous effort to shake up a “stagnant” offense, freshman guard Cassius Winston could be finishing a new role on the court. Head coach Tom Izzo met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since MSU’s 72-67 loss to Ohio State on Sunday and said with a lack of production from the two and three spots, Winston could be an option for the Spartans moving forward.
The focus and energy to this year’s MSU men’s basketball team is no secret, it is the power of the highly-acclaimed freshman class. As these young players are analyzed in every facet of the game, head coach Tom Izzo said the team will make their jump from a good to great team because of players not in the freshman class.
Up high and down hard, freshman forward Miles Bridges has made his mark as a human highlight reel for MSU men’s basketball.
While Gov. Rick Snyder took to the podium for his seventh State of the State address, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo was asked about the state of his team during his weekly press conference.
State News men's basketball reporter and newsroom personality Stephen Olschanski discuss MSU's loss to Ohio State on Sunday and the obsession MSU and OSU have with U-M and vice versa.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Spartans (12-7 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) couldn’t stop the Ohio State University Buckeyes Sunday night.
The Big Ten announced in a press release early Monday MSU freshman forward/guard Miles Bridges was selected as Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. In MSU’s two games during the week, Bridges averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and shot 73.7 percent from the floor, including 75.0 percent from 3-point range against then-No. 24 Minnesota and OSU.The Big Ten also selected Penn State’s Mike Watkins as the other freshman of the week.
Columbus—It's been a point of emphasis for head coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans (12-7, 4-2 Big Ten) to come out of the gate with more energy and take an early lead against opponents on the road. Sunday would be a test for Izzo as MSU traveled to the Value City Arena to take on the Ohio State University Buckeyes (11-7, 1-4 Big Ten). There, the Spartans would falter to the Buckeyes, 73-67.
Follow along with The State News and their basketball writers, Casey Harrison and Connor Clark as MSU men's basketball (12-6 overall, 4-1) is on the road against Ohio State (10-7 overall, 0-4). Feel free to send your comments and questions below.