Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sports | Basketball

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Lone senior keeps focus as season winds down

Even as her last few games as a Spartan come closer to reality, senior guard Mia Johnson is strictly focused on the importance of winning the Big Ten Championship. After all, intensity and focus have been Johnson’s trademarks at MSU and have allowed her to leave an indelible mark on the program.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Freshmen carry Spartans in win

With several veterans battling injuries or fighting shooting slumps Wednesday night, No. 9 MSU’s freshmen picked up the slack and saved the day. Forward Delvon Roe scored a team-high 16 points, guard Korie Lucious added 12, and forward Draymond Green added four for the Spartans, who slipped past Iowa 62-54 at Breslin Center.

BASKETBALL

Iowa comes to E.L. fresh off OT win over U-M

With games against Purdue and Wisconsin in the books and a road game against No. 20 Illinois on Sunday, tonight’s game against Iowa could be viewed by some as the perfect time for the MSU men’s basketball team to overlook its competition. Then you remember senior guard Travis Walton is the captain of this team, and taking any opponent for granted won’t happen under his watch.

BASKETBALL

With league title on mind, MSU has tough close to year

Staring down second place with two tough games to play following a heartbreaking 54-51 loss to Wisconsin on Sunday, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant said her team would have to be much better if it wanted a chance to win the Big Ten regular season championship.

BASKETBALL

Izzo proud of Sunday's defensive effort

After Sunday’s win against Wisconsin, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo couldn’t stop gushing about his team’s defensive performance. A day later, Izzo was still downright giddy about the job his team did against the Badgers, especially in the second half when the Spartans limited their opponents to just two field goals in the final 12:30.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Sliding into second

The MSU women’s basketball team took a hit to its Big Ten championship chances Sunday, losing 54-51 at Wisconsin. That, combined with Ohio State’s win against Indiana on Sunday, put the Spartans one game back with two to go.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans stage comeback in front of '79 champs

With 12:31 remaining and his team trailing Wisconsin 41-29, MSU head coach Tom Izzo called a 30-second timeout with a very simple message for his team — play defense. The sixth-ranked Spartans did as their coach asked, outscoring the Badgers 32-9 the rest of the way to win 61-50 on Sunday at Breslin Center.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo's three laws of basketball

Whatever Michigan guard Manny Harris tried to do, it simply wouldn’t work. The Wolverines’ 6-foot-5 guard tried to drive through the lane, post up in the paint and spot up from three, but wherever he went on Feb. 10, MSU senior guard Travis Walton was there in his face.

BASKETBALL

Intense Spartans look to keep hold of first place

Intensity hasn’t been a problem for the MSU women’s basketball team all season. But in Michigan week, the Spartans have ratchetted up any extra moxie they have left to get the best of their in-state rivals and keep themselves on track for a Big Ten Championship.

BASKETBALL

MSU's Lucas, Summers shut down by Purdue's Kramer in 72-54 loss

Throughout the season, Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers have firmly taken over the role of dynamic scorers for the MSU men’s basketball team. With the glory of that role also comes the challenge of drawing the opponent’s best defender, which on Tuesday night was the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

BASKETBALL

Tough test lies ahead for rested, ready No. 6 Spartans

Purdue is listed next on the MSU men’s basketball team’s schedule, but head coach Tom Izzo still isn’t sure which team will show up tonight at Mackey Arena. It could either be the team with Robbie Hummel or the team without him. According to Izzo, the difference between those scenarios is like night and day.