BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo moves to 3rd in all-time wins as coach in Big 10

Josh Mansour

January 8, 2013

When Tom Izzo tried to recall the Big Ten’s winningest coaches, his memory stopped after two — Gene Keady and Bob Knight. The legendary former Purdue and Indiana basketball head coaches, respectively, have led the Big Ten in wins for the better part of a decade, but it wasn’t until moments before the MSU men’s basketball team took on Purdue on Saturday that Izzo learned about the next man in line.

BASKETBALL

Harris still recovering from shoulder injury

Dillon Davis

January 7, 2013

It’s been established Gary Harris sprained his left shoulder in a November game against Boise State. However, head coach Tom Izzo revealed at his press conference Monday the freshman guard has been dealing with an additional shoulder injury.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans lack height, deep bench play

Stephen Brooks

January 7, 2013

Following the Spartans’ 66-51 victory in the Big Ten season-opener against Minnesota last Thursday, some players and members of the media questioned whether the MSU women’s hoops team deserved to be ranked. It was a legitimate discussion at the time.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Indiana natives put up solid performances in win against Purdue

Dillon Davis

January 6, 2013

After a sluggish first half was pointed out to him on film during halftime of Saturday’s game against Purdue, sophomore guard/forward Branden Dawson became a catalyst in a sizable second half run to lead the No. 18 Spartans (12-3 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) over Purdue (7-7, 1-1), 84-61.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans fall to Penn State 76-55

Stephen Brooks

January 6, 2013

The Spartans hung tight for a while, eventually whittling the Penn State lead to seven early in the second half, but the Nittany Lions never lost control of the contest, eventually growing the lead to 26 points going to win 76-55.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball loses to Penn State in 76-55 blow out

Stephen Brooks

January 6, 2013

The closest MSU managed to get to visiting No. 9 Penn State in the second half was seven points, and that was less than 30 seconds into the half. From there, the Nittany Lions (12-2 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) grew the lead to as much as 26 en route to a commanding 76-55 win over MSU (13-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten). The Spartans kept it close early, trading blows with PSU in the opening minutes, but an 11-0 run halfway through the first half put the Nittany Lions in the driver’s seat the rest the game.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball trails Penn State 34-25 at half

Stephen Brooks

January 6, 2013

After sprinting out to a frantic pace in the opening minutes thanks to Penn State’s fullcourt pressure, the Spartans headed into the locker room down 34-25.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gary Harris puts up career-high scoring effort in win over Purdue

Josh Mansour

January 5, 2013

When Gary Harris took the floor for his first Big Ten game at Breslin Center, he prepared to square off against one of his home state school and mother’s alma mater for the first time. It’s been a tough month for the freshman guard and Fishers, Ind., native as he spent extra time working to regain his shooting touch after spraining his shoulder earlier in the season.

BASKETBALL

Spartans use second half run to pull away from Purdue in Big Ten home opener

Dillon Davis

January 5, 2013

As he watched video with his team in the locker room at halftime, something wasn’t sitting right with Tom Izzo.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU defeats Purdue 84-61 in Big Ten home opener

Josh Mansour

January 5, 2013

The rugged, neck-and-neck Big Ten play expected in one of the nation’s toughest basketball conferences lasted only a half in the Spartans’ conference home opener.

BASKETBALL

MSU leads Purdue 36-30 at half

Dillon Davis

January 5, 2013

After an aggressive first half of play, the No. 18 MSU basketball team leads Purdue 36-30. Coming off a loss to No.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Dawson, MSU look to bounce back against Purdue at home

Dillon Davis

January 4, 2013

After watching Purdue (7-6 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) upset No. 11 Illinois on Wednesday, sophomore guard Branden Dawson said he needs a strong showing for the No. 18 Spartans (11-3, 0-1), who dropped their Big Ten opener against No. 9 Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Bench lifts women's basketball in win over Minnesota, 66-51

Stephen Brooks

January 3, 2013

After being deadlocked at halftime, the MSU women’s basketball team outscored Minnesota by 15 points in the second half to win the its Big Ten opener for the third consecutive season.The bench carried the Spartans in a 66-51 victory in what started as a typical grind- it-out Big Ten-style contest.

BASKETBALL

Spartans lose Big Ten opener at Minnesota 76-63

Dillon Davis

December 31, 2012

After finishing up the non-conference schedule against Texas nine days ago, Tom Izzo has been preparing the No.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball team grinds out win versus Temple

Stephen Brooks

December 29, 2012

Just as it has all season, the MSU women’s basketball team relied on a superior rebounding effort and a stout defense Saturday afternoon to pull out a 57-47 win over visiting Temple in the Spartans’ non-conference finale.

BASKETBALL

Athletic director pledges dedication to MSU in wake of Kearney departure

Zach Smith

December 29, 2012

Chandler, Ariz. — More than 250 Spartan fans packed into a pep rally waiting to be pumped up for the MSU football team’s Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl matchup with TCU on Saturday night only to fall silent when they got a speech about the departure of an MSU basketball player.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Sophomore guard Kearney to leave MSU basketball team

Dillon Davis

December 28, 2012

Brandan Kearney reportedly is leaving the MSU basketball program. Head coach Tom Izzo told reporters after practice on Friday the sophomore guard has decided to leave after being unhappy in his role. On numerous occasions, Izzo said Kearney was among the best on the team at understanding his role and how he fits into the scheme of the program.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Nix's development shines in victory over Texas

Dillon Davis

December 22, 2012

It’s no secret that Derrick Nix’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. Since his freshman season in 2009, Nix has been embroiled in battles over his weight, his footwork, his conditioning, his maturity within the locker room and, more notably, his highly-publicized personal demons.

BASKETBALL

Spartans take down Texas behind career-high from Nix

Josh Mansour

December 22, 2012

One week ago, after a victory over Division II Tuskegee, Tom Izzo said he was excited to enter a “dogfight” every time his basketball team took the court the rest of the season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans beat Texas 67-56 behind career-high scoring effort from Nix

Dillon Davis

December 22, 2012

From his opening bucket where he drained a hook shot and pumped his fists as he ran back on defense, Derrick Nix was on his game.