Evanston, Ill. — For his team to have real success — championship-like success — MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has said all season that he’s going to need more than one of his star players to step up.
It came down to a 30-second game for the MSU women’s basketball team Thursday against Illinois.
A Northwestern team known for its 3-point shooting had its greatest strength countered Thursday. The MSU men’s basketball team, which had made the fewest 3-point baskets in the Big Ten, buried 8-of-9 long balls in the first half and went on to shoot 11-for-17 from beyond the arc in a 78-62 win over the Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
He’s been to a Final Four, swatted his way to the top of the MSU all-time blocks list and is pursuing a doctoral degree in finance. But ask fifth-year senior center Drew Naymick how he feels about his portfolio and he’ll say it’s incomplete.
Here is a quick look at the men’s basketball team’s next three opponents.
The MSU men’s basketball team welcomes Michigan to town Sunday to put the cap on a rivalry weekend. The game against the Wolverines comes at a time when MSU can string together some necessary conference victories to put itself in position to win a Big Ten title.
How would you describe two storied rivals who face off each year with the occasional glimmer of hope in one team’s eyes while the other always manages to come out on top with the bragging rights?
Unconventional. That was the primary adjective MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo used to describe certain aspects of Northwestern’s gameplay.
The MSU women’s basketball team will be taking extra care to put the ball in the basket tonight against Illinois. After making 4-for-21 3-pointers last Sunday and 24-for-60 in the field, MSU head coach Suzy Merchant has stressed getting to the boards and regaining confidence in the team’s shooting.
The MSU men’s basketball team erased most any doubt that they could play on the road this weekend, beating Minnesota 78-73 in Minneapolis. Now, the Spartans (16-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) travel to Northwestern (6-9, 0-5), looking to put another notch in their road belt. Don’t expect the environment at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill., to be too rowdy.
The Spartans hockey, men’s basketball and gymnastics teams wage war with U-M this weekend, so the sports desk brings you the Top 5 moments in the rivalry during the past five years.
When all the stars align, the Spartans can run with just about anybody in the country, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said. But when he talks about everyone contributing, he means from top to bottom — from the starting five to the assistant coaches.
MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is still searching for a leader. With nine underclassmen filling the Spartans’ roster, it has been a struggle for Merchant to uncover a leader on the young squad.
If the MSU men’s basketball team wants to ride the Final Four rodeo in San Antonio two months from now, senior guard Drew Neitzel needs to be the cowboy who leads it there.
It’s the same old song and dance for the MSU women’s basketball team. An inability to retain focus until the last buzzer sounds is once again the story behind the Spartans’ latest demise.
After MSU’s victory against Ohio State last week, Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta admitted a secret. He said while they’d never just give away a basket, they were willing to allow MSU’s big men some open jump shots.
The MSU women’s basketball team couldn’t seem to find an answer for its season’s ongoing offensive troubles against Indiana on Sunday.
The MSU men’s basketball team completed a season sweep of Minnesota on Sunday with a 78-73 win in Minneapolis.
After a back-and-forth first half, the MSU women’s basketball team took charge of the court to take the win Thursday against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant has found a diamond in the rough. Takeya Fortner, a 5-foot-9-inch sophomore guard, has picked a time to shine when the team needs it most. With the loss of key players due to injuries and graduation, Merchant saw the potential hidden in Fortner once the Big Ten season started.