Thursday, April 9, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | Basketball

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ellis, Schilling ready for big stage in college basketball

Matt Sheehan
October 28, 2013

When Alvin Ellis III was sitting down on Breslin Center’s floor during last week’s media day, with more than 14,000 empty seats above him, his mind went back to Midnight Madness. Before his name was the first one called to introduce the team, Ellis nervously waited walking down the stairs with Future’s “Chosen One” ?blaring from the speakers. But once he emerged, Ellis got a ?feeling for what he will be in for when thousands of seats are filled with a sea of green and white on gameday.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Merchant hopes injury bug keeps its distance in 2013-14

Derek Blalock
October 24, 2013

Last season was plagued with injuries and suspensions for MSU women’s basketball. Despite opening the season with one of its best starts in school history — winning 13 of its first 14 games, and later getting to the Big Ten championship game and making the NCAA Tournament — MSU played much of last season without key contributing members. The Spartans’ playing lineup consisted mainly of six players, and this season they can expect a couple key additions.

BASKETBALL

Men's basketball looking to secure Final Four run

Stephen Brooks
October 23, 2013

It was a regular August day when men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo popped into a weight lifting session to check on his team, and walked away with a lasting message from a former great. The player was Draymond Green, who spent much of his summer in East Lansing working out with the squad, and the message sheds light on just how high the expectations are for the No. 2-ranked Spartans in the 2013-14 season. “Day-Day came over and said to me, ‘Coach, I’d die to play with this team,’” Izzo said. “From Draymond Green, that was a statement of all statements.”

BASKETBALL

Spartan hoopers start season

Omari Sankofa II
October 20, 2013

In hindsight, it seems obvious the MSU athletic department would avoid the risk of blasting men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo out of a cannon and onto an adjacent net. But for a few minutes, the department had many in the crowd fooled.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Midnight Madness a blast for many

Omari Sankofa II
October 19, 2013

For a moment, it seemed as though head coach Tom Izzo had pulled off an impressive Evel Knievel impersonation. Clad in stuntman gear, Izzo rode a cannon, hashtagged #IzzoCannon, into Breslin Center. He joined his wife and kids at the center of the court with a helmet under his arm.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo looking forward to healthy Dawson

Dillon Davis
September 30, 2013

There’s a story of two different Branden Dawsons. One is of a high-flying acrobat with the body of a running back, able to make plays near the basket reminiscent of NBA Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson. The other is of a timid guard/forward rising to the basket for a dunk, but instead settling for a soft layup in hopes his legs won’t collapse beneath his natural force on the dismount.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo addresses expectations, leaders

Dillon Davis
September 29, 2013

The MSU’s men’s basketball team is expected to be among the nation’s best teams for the 2013-14 season, but head coach Tom Izzo wants to keep expectations in perspective. The Spartans are opening up a new campaign and are anticipated to be among the top five teams in the country. They are even being touted as the No. 1 team in the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook Preseason Top 25, ahead of Kentucky, Louisville, Duke and Arizona, respectively.

BASKETBALL

Thousands gather for Izzone Campout

Derek Blalock
September 28, 2013

MSU basketball is back. With it comes high expectations, a beloved coach and the return of one of the best student sections in college basketball. It all got kick started Friday night with the annual Izzone Campout.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Only the elite: Morris Peterson

Stephen Brooks
September 12, 2013

Two down. Two to go? ?Former basketball star Morris Peterson became the second member of the lauded “Flintstones” clique to become inducted to the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Thursday, joining childhood friend and teammate Mateen Cleaves (inducted in 2011).

BASKETBALL

MSU AD Hollis gave draft advice to Harris, Payne, UM's Burke

Tyler Beck
July 31, 2013

Going professional in their respective sport is a difficult choice certain college athletes face. Arguably even more difficult is who to listen to when advice is coming from all directions. MSU sophomore guard Gary Harris and senior center Adreian Payne both faced this decision at the end of the 2012-13 basketball season, and both decided to return.

BASKETBALL

Derrick Nix signs with Slovenian club Krka

Matthew Pizzo
July 24, 2013

Former MSU center Derrick Nix signed a three-year contract with Krka, a professional basketball club based in Nova Mesto, Slovenia. “Congratulations to client Derrick Nix for signing with Adriatic & Eurochallenge club Krka in Slovenia,” Nix’s agent, Daniel Moldovan, tweeted Wednesday afternoon. Nix was not selected in the 2013 NBA Draft and attended workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. Moldovan said on Twitter that Nix had numerous offers across Europe and chose Krka because of the level of competition and their coach. Nix thanked his teammates and coaches for helping him get through his “shenanigans” last year on his Twitter feed Wednesday. Formerly Michigan’s Mr. Basketball in 2009, Nix averaged 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds during his senior season at MSU.

BASKETBALL

Payne makes USA Men’s World University Team

Matthew Pizzo
June 30, 2013

MSU senior center Adreian Payne made the final cut for the USA Basketball Men’s World University Games in Kazan, Russia on Saturday. Training camp, which began June 24, featured 26 of the best college players in the nation and was narrowed down to the final 12-man roster Saturday. Payne joins Big Ten athletes Yogi Ferrell and Will Sheehey from Indiana and Aaron White from Iowa. According to USA Basketball, the team will depart for Russia on Monday and begin tournament play July 7 against United Arab Emirates.