BASKETBALL

Women's basketball to forgo 2015 postseason due to injuries

Zach Libby

March 16, 2015

The injuries and setbacks have taken such a major toll on the Spartans this season, that they've decided to forgo any postseason berths.  After bulldozing the Michigan Wolverines in the second round of the Big Ten tournament last week, before falling to eventual champion, Maryland, in the quarterfinals, a possible women's NIT berth was in the picture for MSU, but head coach Suzy Merchant has made the decision to rest her players, rather to fight for a championship.  “I am incredibly proud of what this year’s team accomplished under such challenging circumstances.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Six year streak of consecutive NCAA tournaments for women's basketball at stake with selection committee decision

Zach Libby

March 16, 2015

A six-year prolonged streak of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances for women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is on the line Monday when the selection committee will make their final decision of MSU's fate.

BASKETBALL

Top performances from Spartans in NCAA tournament

Troy Jefferson

March 15, 2015

The Spartans have made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, been to the final four eight times and have cut down the nets twice.

BASKETBALL

March hasn't always been happy for MSU

Jonathon Chun

March 15, 2015

When a basketball program has made the NCAA tournament 18 consecutive seasons, and 29 overall, there are bound to be a few disappointments.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Holding their own

John Neidhart

March 15, 2015

Though MSU played some of their best basketball of the season on the road to the championship, they fell short in overtime against Wisconsin on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Almost: MSU falls in overtime to Wisconsin in Big Ten championship

John Neidhart

March 15, 2015

With Wisconsin and MSU each battling with different motivations, 40 minutes wasn’t enough to decide a Big Ten tournament champion. A valiant Spartan effort came up short and the Badgers outscored MSU 11-0 in overtime to pull away for an 80-69 win. Nigel Hayes led all scorers with 25 points.

BASKETBALL

Marvin Clark Jr. beginning to show potential at the right time

Omari Sankofa II

March 15, 2015

Chicago — Freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. has had his share of ups and downs this season. But during the past week, he has emerged as a key cog in head coach Tom Izzo's rotation.

BASKETBALL

Heavyweight fight: Wisconsin and MSU square off for the Big Ten championship

Omari Sankofa II

March 15, 2015

Championships.  According to head coach Tom Izzo, they're what you live for, what you play for, and what you work for.  On Sunday, the Spartans (23-10 overall, 12-6 Big Ten) will look to win the Big Ten championship for the second consecutive year and third time in four years when they take on No.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo, players say the team is 'growing up' and finding ways to win

John Neidhart

March 14, 2015

MSU's season was summarized in just a few words from head coach Tom Izzo following his team's 62-58 victory. "Well, we don't make it easy, I can promise you that," Izzo said. MSU's most disappointing losses have been defined by crunch time meltdowns.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU defeats Maryland 62-58, will face Wisconsin for the Big Ten championship

Omari Sankofa II

March 14, 2015

The Spartans trailed by 16 in the first half. But a 15-0 second half run changed MSU's fortunes and bought them a ticket to the Big Ten championship round.

Omari Sankofa II ·

BASKETBALL

Round three: MSU prepares to take on Maryland for the third time this season in semifinals of the Big Ten tournament

John Neidhart

March 14, 2015

Following its quarterfinal victory, MSU has earned a shot at redemption in a semi-final matchup with No.

John Neidhart ·

BASKETBALL

Survive and advance: MSU holds off Ohio State to advance to semifinals of Big Ten tournament

John Neidhart

March 13, 2015

In its Windy City Big Ten tournament opener, MSU’s door blew open and shut all night long. No lead has been safe for the Spartans this year but with an eerily competitive recent history with Ohio State, MSU knew it would have to play all 40 minutes. After losing double-digit leads multiple times, MSU eventually held on for a 76-67 victory. Junior guard Denzel Valentine finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists and senior guard Travis Trice totaled 18 points.

BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo not worried about "Hack a Spartan" defensive strategy at end of games

Omari Sankofa II

March 13, 2015

It's one of the most maligned defensive strategies in basketball. NBA great Shaquille O'Neal was often fouled at the end of games in a strategy known as "Hack a Shaq," which saw teams exploit his poor percentage at the line to attempt a comeback win. It's common in basketball to exploit players who are weak at the free throw line. 

BASKETBALL

Fans flock to Chicago to see Spartans in Big Ten tournament

Omari Sankofa II

March 13, 2015

MSU professor and Senior Advisor to the Dean Matthew Anderson has attended every Big Ten tournament since its inception in 1998.

John Neidhart ·

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU will tip off Big Ten tournament against Ohio State at 9 p.m.

Omari Sankofa II

March 13, 2015

To say the series between MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo and Ohio State men's basketball head coach Thad Matta has been close would be an understatement.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three keys for MSU basketball to defeat Ohio State

John Neidhart

March 13, 2015

With Ohio State's 79-73 win over Minnesota last night, the Buckeyes secured a date with MSU tonight at 9 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Blame inconsistency and scheduling for no first team All-Big Ten selections, Izzo says

Omari Sankofa II

March 12, 2015

Despite clinching the third seed in the Big Ten tournament, the men's basketball team saw zero first team All-Big Ten selections and just one second team selection. Head coach Tom Izzo points his finger to inconsistency and scheduling as a reason for any potential snubs.  With the Big Ten conference being recently expanded to 14 teams with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, many conference teams only face each other once, ensuring the customary  

BASKETBALL

Branden Dawson cleared to play Friday in Big Ten tournament

Omari Sankofa II

March 11, 2015

Senior forward Branden Dawson, who had concussion-like symption after taking an elbow to the head 

BASKETBALL

For MSU basketball, March Madness starts Friday with Big Ten tournament

John Neidhart

March 11, 2015

(Chicago, Ill.) It wasn’t the smoothest ride but after closing the season winning eight of eleven games, MSU is heading into the Big Ten tournament with a double-bye and a No.

BASKETBALL

Dawson, Trice and Valentine receive All-Big Ten honors

Omari Sankofa II

March 9, 2015

Three men's basketball players received All-Big Ten honors on Monday. Senior forward Branden Dawson led MSU with an All-Big Ten second team selection, and junior guard Denzel Valentine and senior guard Travis Trice each received third team selections.  Dawson leads the conference in rebounding, pulling down 9.3 per game, to go with 11.6 points and 1.5 blocks.