BASKETBALL

Lighter Nix could be force inside for MSU

What would have happened if Derrick Nix hadn’t taken this summer seriously? Nix, a freshman center on the MSU men’s basketball team, knows exactly what would have happened if he hadn’t dropped 30 pounds — and counting — since his arrival in East Lansing. Or if he hadn’t done extra cardio on his own after working out with teammates. Or if he had consumed more than just cereal, Nutrigrain bars and liquids after 6 p.m. in an effort to get into shape.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Men's basketball team coping with illness

Cash Kruth

October 19, 2009

Kalin Lucas didn’t put on a surgical mask or latex gloves to combat the flu bug that swept through the MSU men’s basketball team this past week, but the junior guard did have his own way to stay healthy.

BASKETBALL

Creating a moment

Jeff Kanan

October 18, 2009

Images of MSU basketball’s past, present and future were on display for the 14,000-plus in attendance at Friday’s annual Midnight Madness for the MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

BASKETBALL

Purdue starter suspended 2 games

Joey Nowak

October 18, 2009

Purdue guard Lewis Jackson has been suspended by the team for two games and the NCAA for one game to start the season.

BASKETBALL

Madness to hit basketball teams today

Cash Kruth

October 15, 2009

The MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams will hold their annual Midnight Madness event at 9:30 p.m. today at Breslin Center.

BASKETBALL

Big Ten Tournament tickets go on sale Monday

Cash Kruth

October 15, 2009

Tickets for the 2010 Big Ten men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will go on sale Monday at 10 a.m., the Big Ten announced Thursday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo concerned about team leadership

Cash Kruth

October 14, 2009

Because of its athletic ability, basketball IQ and NCAA Tournament experience, the MSU men’s basketball team is viewed by many as a top three team in the country.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Shooting 4 Indianapolis

Cash Kruth

October 14, 2009

Just so there is no confusion when fans get their first glimpse of the MSU men’s basketball team this season, sophomore forward Delvon Roe wants to confirm that, yes, that is him wearing No. 10 for the Spartans.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Frontcourt a question mark for Spartans

Cash Kruth

October 14, 2009

As he was going through workouts and individual skill work this summer, junior forward Tom Herzog had a motivation he never had in his first three years with the MSU men’s basketball team.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Season-ending game still irks Merchant

Matt Bishop

October 12, 2009

MSU’s women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant never has watched the tape of the biggest win of her career — MSU’s 63-49 win against Duke in the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU returns loaded after Sweet 16 run

Cash Kruth

October 12, 2009

Brittney Thomas can’t help but get excited when thinking about how dangerous the point guard position will be for the MSU women’s basketball team this season.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Midnight Madness to honor MSU past

Cash Kruth

October 4, 2009

The MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams will hold their annual Midnight Madness event at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Breslin Center.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball captains named

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced Monday that seniors Lauren Aitch, Allyssa DeHaan, Aisha Jefferson and Mandy Piechowski were selected as team captains for the 2009-10 season.

BASKETBALL

Izzone campout allows for interaction between team, fans

Jeff Kanan

September 27, 2009

Students looking to get access to Tom Izzo and talk to their favorite players about last season’s Final Four run had the opportunity to do just that at this weekend’s Izzone Campout.

BASKETBALL

Basketball legend Smith recognized for philanthropy

Chris Vannini

September 13, 2009

Steve Smith was watching the MSU football team take on Central Michigan on Saturday from his personal luxury box at Spartan Stadium when third-year MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant walked in and began to chat with him.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women to face difficult competition

Cash Kruth

September 2, 2009

The MSU women’s basketball team will face 15 teams that qualified for the 2009 postseason, and possibly 10 that played in the NCAA Tournament, in the upcoming 2009-10 basketball season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo lines up another strong schedule

Cash Kruth

September 2, 2009

The MSU men’s basketball team will once again play a tough schedule in 2009-10, facing nine teams that played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament and 14 teams that participated in postseason play.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Izzo takes new stage with 'Izzo Goes to Broadway'

Alex Altman

April 30, 2009

During his 14 years as head coach of the MSU men’s basketball team, Tom Izzo has participated in his share of pressure-inducing activities. He’s coached in three Final Fours, thrown out the first pitch of a Detroit Tigers game and even rapelled from the ceiling of Breslin Center.

BASKETBALL

Lucas puts off NBA to finish work at MSU

Not only does Kalin Lucas plan on returning to school for his junior season, but according to his coach, the star guard never even gave much thought to entering the 2009 NBA Draft.

BASKETBALL

Spartans, Tar Heels to meet again in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Joey Nowak

April 22, 2009

The MSU men’s basketball team will take the floor with North Carolina for the third time in a calendar year and for the second consecutive year in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The two teams will meet in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Dec. 1 in the 11th rendition of the weeklong event that pits teams from each conference against one another.