Troy Jefferson and Omari Sankofa II ·

BASKETBALL

MSU prepares to play No. 2 seed Virginia Sunday

Omari Sankofa II

March 21, 2015

When head coach Tom Izzo first realized MSU would potentially play No. 2 seed Virginia in the second round, he first thought to himself, "why?"  The Spartans barely prevailed against the top-seeded Cavaliers in last year's Sweet 16 round, and will now have to crack one of the top defenses in the nation for a second year in a row.

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Spartans bench steps up in win over Georgia

Troy Jefferson

March 21, 2015

By Troy Jefferson Tjefferson@statenews.com Branden Dawson and Gavin Schilling’s early foul trouble could’ve signaled doom for MSU but thanks to the bench, it wasn’t the case.

BASKETBALL

On to the next one: MSU survives late Georgia rally to advance, 70-63

Omari Sankofa II

March 20, 2015

Charlotte, North Carolina — MSU missed five of their first six shots and trailed Georgia 9-3 five minutes into the game.

BASKETBALL

Fans from all over flock to Charlotte, North Carolina to see MSU in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament

Troy Jefferson

March 20, 2015

By Troy Jefferson Tjefferson@statenews.com Fan story Birds flock back north for spring but Spartan fans have come south on the first day of the new season.

BASKETBALL

Basketball seniors embracing final stretch of their careers

John Neidhart

March 19, 2015

Following MSU’s Big Ten tournament championship loss, senior forward Branden Dawson showed a rare set of emotions--tears. He and senior guard Travis Trice are entering the final stretch of their Spartan careers, and following such a tough defeat, Dawson just couldn’t hold back.

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'Win the weekend'

Omari Sankofa II

March 19, 2015

The streak continues for Izzo: it's the Spartans' 18th consecutive NCAA tourney appearance. But he isn't looking past MSU's games this weekend. The first being Friday's matchup with Georgia.

BASKETBALL

Travis trice has turned season around after benching

Omari Sankofa II

March 18, 2015

Benching senior guard Travis Trice in favor of freshman guard Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn against Ohio State on Feb.

BASKETBALL

A preview of potential opponents for MSU basketball this weekend

John Neidhart

March 18, 2015

Georgia (21-11, 11-7 SEC) Georgia’s most impressive performance of the year came in a close 72-68 home loss to No.

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Column: Suzy Merchant should have given her team a chance to play in WNIT

Zach Libby

March 17, 2015

I for one can say for everyone that this season has had its ups and downs. Whether or not it’s considered to be a disappointing campaign, there was an out that would have made everyone feel better. First, let’s be honest, your six-year streak of NCAA postseason berths EMCwas coming to an end.

BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo: Big Ten championship would have been motivation to future teams

Omari Sankofa II

March 17, 2015

By Omari Sankofa II osankofa@statenews.com After falling to Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship on Sunday, Izzo was adamant that there were no moral victories to be taken from the loss.  When he addressed the media on Tuesday, his tone was a little different.  The Spartans were seven minutes away from securing head coach Tom Izzo's fifth Big Ten championship banner before Wisconsin flipped the script and stole the game in overtime.

BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo not interested in taking away a moral victory from Wisconsin loss

Omari Sankofa II

March 16, 2015

The Spartans had them beat. Right until they didn't.  Leading No. 6 Wisconsin by 11 points with 7:45 to play, MSU was right around the corner from winning their second consecutive Big Ten championship and third in four years.

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March Madness brings in money for MSU basketball, regardless of success

Andrew Merkle

March 16, 2015

But with success on the court comes success financially.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.