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Valentine powers MSU basketball to 101-46 win over St. Cloud State in final exhibition match

Omari Sankofa II

November 7, 2014

Behind a strong performance by junior guard Denzel Valentine, the MSU basketball team cruised to an easy 101-46 victory over St. Cloud State on Friday night, finishing exhibition season with a 2-0 record. Valentine had a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in 25 minutes of action. Senior guard Travis Trice led the Spartans with 20 points, and junior center Matt Costello and senior forward Branden Dawson each had double-doubles — 12 and 10 for Costello, and 13 and 10 for Dawson.

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Merchant hopes continued growth, leadership will guide women's basketball to another conference title in 2015

John Neidhart

November 7, 2014

After finishing the 2013-14 season with a 23-10 overall record and a share of the Big Ten conference title, MSU women’s basketball hopes to pick up right where it left off.

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MSU athletics receives $3 million endowment towards retaining football defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, improvements for men's basketball program

Jonathon Chun

November 6, 2014

As part of the Empower Extraordinary campaign for MSU, Alumni Peter and Joan Secchia have made a significant leadership gift to help ensure the ongoing success of MSU Athletics.

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Despite lopsided win, Izzo disappointed with MSU's defensive performance against The Master's College on Monday

Troy Jefferson

November 4, 2014

Despite holding The Master’s College to 29 percent shooting from the field, head coach Tom Izzo was not pleased with his team’s defense on Monday night.

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Tom Izzo inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Robert Bondy

November 4, 2014

One day after men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo tipped off his 20th season at MSU, he was recognized as the latest induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Izzo led the cast of eight that were announced as the 2015 Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday from Spartan Stadium.

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Fans, players welcome Russell Byrd back to Breslin Center during exhibition match against The Master's College

Geoff Preston

November 3, 2014

The last time he was at Breslin Center, Russell Byrd was wearing green and white and only himself to worry about. On Monday night, days after the birth of his first daughter with former MSU women’s basketball player Klarissa Bell, Byrd returned to Breslin Center for the first time since transferring from MSU to The Master's College in May.

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MSU basketball spoils Russell Byrd's return in exhibition opener, 97-56

Troy Jefferson

November 3, 2014

The men’s basketball team opened its exhibition season at home on Monday night, but a player on the opposing team stole the show.

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Men's and women's basketball teams prepare to start season

Katie Winkler

October 29, 2014

After kicking off the season at the annual Midnight Madness on Friday, the women and men’s basketball teams are preparing to begin another season.

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Despite lower-than-normal preseason rankings, Izzo optimistic for men's basketball season

John Neidhart

October 28, 2014

Despite the men’s basketball team entering the season with a lower preseason ranking than normal, head coach Tom Izzo had no shortage of excitement at media day on Tuesday.

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Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. showing leadership in freshman year for men's basketball

Troy Jefferson

October 28, 2014

It’s not common for a freshman to take up a leadership role, but Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. risn’t your average freshman.

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Izzo's appearance as KISS band member highlights 2014 Midnight Madness

Katie Winkler

October 26, 2014

To welcome the oncoming men and women basketball seasons, fans filled the stands of Breslin Center on Friday night for Midnight Madness.Men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo and Spartan players were dressed in all leather, face paint, and bulky boots to be the rock band KISS for the evening.

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Students brave rainy weather for 2014 Izzone Campout

Katie Winkler

October 18, 2014

More than 550 tents covered Munn Field filled with campers hoping to get lower bowl seating for this year’s Izzone at the annual Izzone Campout.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine will be relied upon for leadership for men's basketball during 2014-15 season

Omari Sankofa II

October 16, 2014

This season, senior guard Travis Trice and junior forward Denzel Valentine will be relied upon to provide a leadership presence the Spartans, at times, lacked last season.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball predicted to be second best team in Big Ten according to preseason polls

Katie Winkler

October 16, 2014

By Katie Winklerkwinkler@statenews.comAfter wrapping up the 2014 season ranked as No.

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Tickets for the 2014 State Farm Champions Classic now on sale

Leslie Hemenway

October 6, 2014

Tickets for the 2014 State Farm Champions Classic, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, will go on sale on Oct.

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"Healthier" Travis Trice one of most improved players heading into 2014-15 season, according to Tom Izzo

Omari Sankofa II

October 5, 2014

Men's basketball coach Tom Izzo was optimistic at practice last Friday, citing strong leadership and chemistry as reasons why he believes this season will turn out better than expected.

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Young players could see key roles during 2014-15 men's basketball season.

Omari Sankofa II

October 3, 2014

There were plenty of new faces present at the first official 2014-15 men's basketball practice on Friday ? so many that head coach Tom Izzo acknowledged the lack of recognizable faces could be a reason why analysts are having trouble pegging how good the Spartans will be next season.

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Men's basketball picks up four-star shooter for 2015 class

Troy Jefferson

September 25, 2014

The men’s basketball team added another player to its 2015 recruiting class today. Matthew McQuaid, a shooting guard from Duncanville, Texas, committed to MSU. The news was first reported by Scout.com.

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2014 Midnight Madness will take place on Oct. 24

Matthew Argillander

September 15, 2014

In preparation for the 2014 season, Director of Basketball Operations Kevin Pauga has announced MSU basketball will hold its annual "Midnight Madness" event on Friday Oct. 24. No official start time has been announced as of yet, but in 2013 doors opened at 8:30 p.m.

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MSU ranked No. 9 in ESPN College Basketball Future Power Rankings

Geoff Preston

September 11, 2014

Even in the heart of football season, ESPN has begun turning its eyes to colder weather, and college basketball.MSU was ranked No. 9 in a recent future power rankings analysis, behind ESPN's paywall. The Spartans lost last season in the elite eight of the NCAA tournament to eventual champion Connecticut.