After an emotional loss to No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 15 MSU was back in action at Breslin Center taking on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Jaguars. MSU looked sluggish at times but was able to pull out a 64-45 win after a 20-9 run to end the game.
There was some speculation coming into the season on whether junior Matt Costello and sophomore Gavin Schilling could carry the load for MSU's big men. On Friday night, the Spartans were adamant about getting the ball in the paint through both players.
The No. 19 men's basketball team bounced back from a 10-point loss against No. 4 Duke on Tuesday with an 87-52 home victory over Loyola Chicago Friday night. Five Spartans reached double figure, led by senior forward Branden Dawson who had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr.
It’s not common for programs to have the success in both basketball and football that MSU has had, which makes it even less common for the two coaches of those teams to be as close as Tom Izzo and Mark Dantonio have become over the years.
March 27, 1999, will be remembered as one of the most disheartening nights for Spartan basketball. MSU was in the Final Four of the NCAA semifinals for the first time since their national championship in 1979, and lost to the No.
The men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo has coached plenty of talented players in what is now his 20th season as head coach of the Spartans.
Men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo began his time with the Spartans 20 years ago. In this time, the program has had six Final Four appearances, 17 consecutive NCAA berths, an NCAA championship and much more.
MSU let one slip away against No. 3 Notre Dame on Wednesday night, and the Spartans missed out on winning a signature statement game. MSU struggled at the free throw line, especially in the second half.
On a cold and snowy November night, No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame kept Breslin Center toasty for 40 minutes of basketball, but the Irish pulled away towards the end, securing a 71-63 victory. The two teams got out to a quick start, as MSU sophomore guard Tori Jankoska drilled two threes before the first media timeout.
No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame got out to a quick start, as MSU sophomore guard Tori Jankoska drilled two threes before the first media timeout.
Fouls and free throws were enough to sink the Spartans chances of bringing home a signature early season win.
No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame will square off Wednesday night at Breslin Center, with the Spartans hoping to avenge an ugly loss to the Fighting Irish last season. The teams met in early November to kick the 2013-14 season off last fall but Notre Dame simply outmuscled MSU, 81-62.
The players on the basketball court will certainly provide an interesting matchup on Tuesday, but the chess match on the sidelines will be equally compelling and might decide the game.
When the men’s basketball team looks across the court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for pregame introductions, they will already be down 9-1. No. 19 MSU (1-0 overall) faces off against No. 4 Duke (2-0 overall), who will dress nine McDonald’s All-Americans compared to MSU’s one Branden Dawson Tuesday night in Indianapolis, Indiana.
MSU played its first regular season game against Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon, and the Eagles put up quite a fight before the Spartans pulled away for a 69-61 win.
It was fitting that senior guard Travis Trice, after making the free throw to seal the victory, soared in the air to bring down the game-clinching rebound.
After the Spartans toured the United States Air Force Academy in Annapolis, Md. on Thursday, they plan to play on Veterans Day 2016 at Pearl Harbor. MSU will Arizona and Kansas and Indiana will play as part of the fifth annual Armed Forces Classic.
Heading into its first regular season game of the year on Sunday, MSU women’s basketball is still getting back into the swing of things. After playing a scrimmage against Toledo and an exhibition contest against Grand Valley State, head coach Suzy Merchant has noted that she sees room for improvement from her team. “To me, it’s about consistency right now,” Merchant said.
The No. 18-ranked men's basketball team is preparing to take on the Navy Midshipmen in what will be the opening game of the 2014-15 season. The game will mark the beginning of head coach Tom Izzo's 20th season at the helm in East Lansing.
If playing Division 1 college basketball is fun, playing Division 1 basketball with your childhood friend is almost indescribable.