BASKETBALL
MSU evolving into team we expected early
The MSU women’s basketball team is hitting its stride and looks primed to make a run in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.
BASKETBALL
Lucas reflects on Ohio State loss
No more than a few hours after Kalin Lucas quickly and quietly ducked out of the MSU men’s basketball team’s locker room before talking to media Sunday, he called his head coach.
BASKETBALL
Spartans must focus on bigger picture after loss
If ever there was a time for Tom Izzo’s patented big-picture outlook, it’s now. In a season of promise and high expectations recently maligned with disappointment, the MSU men’s basketball team was, for the second time in a row, sitting in its home locker room both mystified and disheartened Sunday.
BASKETBALL
'Making it happen'
Columbus, Ohio — After seeing its 13-point lead turn into a three-point deficit, the MSU women’s basketball team was on the verge of a crushing defeat to No. 7 Ohio State. In front of a raucous crowd of 11,827 at Value City Arena, the Spartans turned to junior guard Brittney Thomas.
BASKETBALL
Thomas finally shows scorers' mentality, aggressiveness in win
Columbus, Ohio — This time last year, junior guard Brittney Thomas was on the sidelines after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament.While she was injured, Mia Johnson stepped in and assumed the point guard duties, bringing an aggressive mentality to the position.
BASKETBALL
Spartans still looking to move past distractions
Throughout the season, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has talked about the distractions facing his team and how the players had yet to put them behind. Twenty-eight games into the season, Izzo still is talking about distractions.
BASKETBALL
Breslin Center blues
Trailing No. 9 Ohio State by as many as 14 points in the second half, the No. 11 MSU men’s basketball team scratched back to take a lead with 4 minutes remaining before falling behind once again, ultimately losing, 74-67, Sunday at Breslin Center. The loss was the Spartans’ second straight at home and the fourth in conference, possibly ending their Big Ten title aspirations.
BASKETBALL
MSU ready for 1st-place Buckeyes
Although not a crucial Big Ten game because of MSU’s early conference struggles and Ohio State’s dominance, Sunday’s 3 p.m. game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio isn’t completely devoid of meaning.
BASKETBALL
Spartans dominate Illini at Breslin Center
For all 40 minutes of Thursday’s 64-43 win against Illinois, the Spartans hustled to every loose ball, took smart shots, played lockdown defense, battled for every rebound and, most importantly, closed out the game, blowing out the Fighting Illini at Breslin Center. The Spartans improved to 9-6 in the Big Ten with the victory.
BASKETBALL
DeHaan breaks all-time NCAA blocks record
One week after tying record and watching St. Mary’s forward Louella Tomlinson break it within hours, MSU senior center Allyssa DeHaan gets record-breaking swat with 45 seconds left in MSU’s 64-43 win over Illinois on Thursday.
BASKETBALL
Spartans, Buckeyes prepare for key Big Ten battle
Nearly two weeks ago, Breslin Center played host to arguably the most pivotal game of the MSU men’s basketball team’s season.
BASKETBALL
MSU holds bench, frontcourt edge vs. Buckeyes
Ohio State’s loss to Purdue on Wednesday night didn’t change anything for the MSU men’s basketball team. The only thing it determined was who would be tied with the No. 11 Spartans in the Big Ten standings heading into this weekend. MSU (21-6 overall, 11-3 Big Ten) technically is in first place, but the Spartans and Purdue are tied in the loss column.
BASKETBALL
Bench play crucial to MSU's recent success
Coming into the season, the MSU women’s basketball team’s depth was said to be one of its biggest strengths. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, its depth has been as good as advertised. The Spartans’ depth — and more so the team’s bench play — has been a big key to its success.
BASKETBALL
MSU needs solid post defense vs. Smith
MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant was not happy with her team’s post defense in Sunday’s 68-55 win against Northwestern.
BASKETBALL
Spartans beat Hoosiers in 'workmanlike win'
It was a convincing win that could have been even more so. The MSU men’s basketball team outdid Indiana in nearly every facet Tuesday night — depth, field-goal shooting, points in the paint and bench production — and handled the Hoosiers all the way to a 72-58 triumph at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Spartans' swagger stemming from 'nastier,' 'tougher' defense
The MSU women’s basketball team hasn’t won six of its last seven games by luck. The Spartans are playing with a defensive swagger, allowing only 54.8 points per game during that stretch.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Stats, records thrown aside when visiting Assembly Hall
Members of the MSU men’s basketball team and head coach Tom Izzo will be the first to note that tonight’s game at Indiana has a lot more to it than meets the eye.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Izzo hopes distractions done for MSU
During his team’s three-game losing streak, Tom Izzo was looking for some resiliency and a rallying cry from his players. The MSU men’s basketball head coach thinks he found it during Saturday’s 65-54 win against Penn State, and a key reason was junior guard Mike Kebler’s defensive performance on Penn State guard Talor Battle.
BASKETBALL
Jaeschke hindered by foul trouble in 2nd half
As quickly as Northwestern center Amy Jaeschke warmed up in the second half Sunday against the MSU women’s basketball team, she cooled down. Jaeschke reeled off Northwestern’s first 10 points of the second half, giving her 20 for the game, as Northwestern cut a 17-point deficit to seven.
BASKETBALL
Kebler proves he can hang with starters
Days before the MSU men’s basketball team’s game against Illinois on Feb. 6, head coach Tom Izzo fielded questions about what he would do at point guard with junior guard Kalin Lucas injured.