When Suzy Merchant was asked last week if it was important to secure a bye in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, she paused. The question would have been laughable a month earlier when the MSU women’s basketball team (19-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) had lost four straight games for the first time in four years and was fighting itself more than its opponents.
Hoping to lock up an outright Big Ten Championship, the No. 6 MSU men’s basketball team trails No.
Although the No. 5 MSU men’s basketball team could celebrate its third Big Ten title in four years, it can clinch the championship outright Tuesday in Bloomington, Ind. The Spartans (24-5 overall, 13-3 Big Ten) were guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten regular season championship after Purdue and No. 14 Wisconsin beat No. 13 Michigan and No. 10 Ohio State, respectively. But if they want to be the lone champions, they have work left to do, and it can accomplish that goal at No. 18 Indiana (22-7, 9-7).
As head coach Suzy Merchant walked to the podium for her weekly press conference on Monday, it was with a big smile that hasn’t always been there each week. The MSU women’s basketball team (19-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season with a 76-57 victory over Northwestern yesterday — the Spartans’ seventh win in the past eight games — and has overcome an earlier four-game losing streak to finish in a four-way tie for second-place in the Big Ten.
With two games to play and a possible outright Big Ten championship on the line, the No. 5 MSU men’s basketball team isn’t thinking about much past Tuesday’s matchup with No. 18 Indiana.
One month ago today, not many people could have seen this day coming. It was Jan. 26, and the MSU women’s basketball team (19-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) suffered a disheartening loss to Illinois — winless in conference play before the day — that extended MSU’s losing streak to four games and made dreams of finishing near the top of the conference seem like just that — dreams. Later that night, senior guard Porschè Poole and freshman guard Kiana Johnson called out their teammates for being selfish, and Poole made sure to meet with head coach Suzy Merchant to find answers. “I definitely think it was a turning point,” Merchant said.
When senior forward Draymond Green and the rest of the seniors on the MSU men’s basketball team take the floor at Breslin Center for the last time Sunday against No. 8 Ohio State, the crowd will be missing some of their most die-hard fans.
Less than 24 hours after MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said a Big Ten championship this season would be the “most earned” of his career, the No. 6 Spartans clinched at least a share of the title without even playing a game.
The MSU women’s basketball team collected a solid 76-57 victory at Northwestern to improve their NCAA Tournament résumé. Heading into Sunday’s game, head coach Suzy Merchant warned her team that its six wins in the last seven games would be meaningless if MSU didn’t finish the regular season strong.
The No. 6 MSU men’s basketball team used a dominant second half to beat Nebraska 62-34 Saturday at Breslin Center.
With three regular season games remaining for the No. 6 MSU basketball team, the word “championship” is floating around Breslin Center more and more. The Spartans, who narrowly beat Minnesota 66-61 Wednesday in Minneapolis, have a one-game lead on No. 8 Ohio State and No. 11 Michigan in the Big Ten standings, putting MSU in control of its own destiny.
By the time Suzy Merchant made her way from the Senior Day celebration to the post-game podium, the head coach’s mood and focus had quickly changed. The MSU women’s basketball team (18-10 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) beat No.
In their final home game as Spartans, senior guard Porsche Poole and senior forwards Taylor Alton and Lykendra Johnson created a moment they’ll always remember. The MSU women’s basketball team (18-10 overall, 10-5 Big Ten) dominated No. 23 Nebraska (20-7, 9-6) winning, 73-53.
Running up and down the basketball court, her brother stopped, and in that moment, so did her world. Lykendra Johnson and her big brother, Homer, always played basketball together, but one January day in 2001, the fun and games turned fatally serious.
The No. 6 MSU men’s basketball team avoided a scare on its trip to Minnesota, winning in the last two minutes, 66-61.
It’s time to say goodbye. Before the MSU women’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 9-5 Big Ten) takes on No. 23 Nebraska (20-6, 9-5) on Thursday at 7 p.m., the Spartans will honor senior guard Porschè Poole and senior forwards Taylor Alton and Lykendra Johnson for Senior Day.
When Porschè Poole walks to center court of Breslin Center following a game for the last time on Thursday, she will be doing so victoriously, regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard.
Not many people grow up in Highlands Ranch, Colo., dreaming to come to MSU, but Taylor Alton isn’t like most people. As the senior guard gets ready for her final home game as a member of the MSU women’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 9-5 Big Ten) against No.
One year ago, the MSU men’s basketball team was in a much different position than it is now. With four games left in the regular season, the Spartans held a 15-11 record and were clinging to their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Three games ago, the MSU men’s basketball team surpassed last season’s win total — and still have at least six games to play. Head coach Tom Izzo spent much of his weekly press conference Monday discussing this season’s 22-5 No. 6 Spartans compared to last year’s 19-15 team.