Thursday, September 16, 2021

Sports | Basketball

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U plays spoiler in Columbus

Dan Woike
February 26, 2002

The past four seasons head coach Tom Izzo and his Spartans have spent the last weeks of February fighting off opponents trying to spoil their Big Ten Championship dreams. But with conference title hopes gone, the MSU men’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 8-6 Big Ten) gets to play the spoiler tonight in Columbus, Ohio.

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Young Spartans perform under pressure

Dan Woike
February 25, 2002

If young teams are supposed to fold in high-pressure situations, someone forgot to tell the Spartan men’s basketball squad. With an opportunity to raise their NCAA Tournament stock, MSU used late-game heroics to come from behind to upend No.

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NCAA dreams in good shape

The Spartans’ NCAA Tournament chances remained intact as Alan Anderson stepped to the line and connected on two free throws, giving MSU a 57-54 win against Indiana. Sunday’s win all but wraps up a bid for the Spartans (17-10 overall, 8-6 Big Ten) in the NCAA Tournament.

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Off the bubble

Justin A. Rice
February 25, 2002

The MSU men’s basketball team made the NCAA Tournament selection committee raise a collective brow Sunday.The Spartans toppled Big Ten-leading No.

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Spartans entering final stretch

Dan Woike
February 21, 2002

The Spartan men’s basketball team begins a crucial five-day span tonight, when it hosts Minnesota. MSU (15-10 overall, 6-6 Big Ten) plays three games against the Big Ten’s best - beginning with surprising fifth-place Minnesota (14-9, 7-5) at 7 p.m. Spartan head coach Tom Izzo said the upcoming week will play a major role in determining MSU’s NCAA Tournament fate. “It’s no question that this week will pretty much determine our NCAA Tournament future,” Izzo said.

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Anderson displays court versatility

Dan Woike
February 20, 2002

Spartan men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo has asked a lot of things from his freshman this season - more than ever before. But in addition to big minutes, freshman swingman Alan Anderson has been asked to be a little bit of everything for MSU (15-10 overall, 6-6 Big Ten). “The kid’s going to be a better player for it in the next three years, but I’m not sure we’ve asked more of a freshman,” Izzo said.

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Threes plague Purdue

Justin A. Rice
February 18, 2002

West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue’s love for the three-point basket was clear Saturday night, but Valentine’s Day had long passed. “It killed us tonight,” Boilermaker forward Rodney Smith said.

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U looking to rebound

Dan Woike
February 15, 2002

After a disappointing effort its last time out, the Spartan men’s basketball team travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue at 7 p.m.

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Spartans tournament future on bubble

Justin A. Rice
February 14, 2002

After losing 63-61 to No. 18 Illinois on Tuesday night, the MSU men’s basketball team was forced to add a new word to its dictionary - bubble.Unless the Spartans win the Big Ten Tournament, they will likely be on the fringe of the 65-team pool in March’s NCAA Tournament.

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Bradford key to Illini success

When the MSU men’s basketball team tangles with Illinois tonight, people will be watching Illini guard Frank Williams. Williams, the 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year, is the Illini’s leading scorer at 16.4 points per game. But lurking in Williams’ shadow is the key to the Illini’s attack, guard Cory Bradford. Many college basketball enthusiasts remember the senior as one of the conference’s best players his freshman and sophomore campaigns, when he averaged just over 15 points a game.