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Sports | Basketball

BASKETBALL

Izzo seeks more effort, vocal leadership from team

Sean Ely
October 28, 2008

You don’t have to do much to upset MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo. That’s nothing new. But as a team, the Spartans won’t have much time to apologize to the coaching staff for being too soft and lackadaisical in their second week of practice — as the 14th-year head coach plans to swamp his squad with two-a-days, one practice immediately followed by another after a short break.

BASKETBALL

Freshmen looking to make immediate impact for Spartans

Cash Kruth
October 27, 2008

It wasn’t anything personal, but in all honesty, Porschè Poole didn’t like Courtney Schiffauer in high school. That’s how it went in Ohio’s Federal League Conference when Poole, a 5-foot-8 guard at McKinley High School, constantly battled Boardman High School and Schiffauer, Boardman’s standout 6-foot-1 forward throughout their high school years.

BASKETBALL

Izzo keeps players on their toes with early practices

Sean Ely
October 21, 2008

So early on, truly anything flies. That’s been MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo’s mindset throughout the team’s first four official practices, playing every single one of his players in various positions to get them comfortable with moving around and responding to adversity when the team needs it most.

BASKETBALL

Spartans show personality at 'Friday Night Flashback'

Chris Vannini
October 19, 2008

Disco music and short basketball shorts were all the rage Friday as the men’s and women’s basketball teams kicked off the season with Midnight Madness. A crowd that filled most of Breslin Center watched the “Friday Night Flashback,” which paid tribute to the 1979 men’s basketball national championship team. Greg Kelser, who was a key part of that ’79 team, hosted the night. It was the first time he had attended Midnight Madness, and he wore a jersey that resembled those worn by the 1979 team.

BASKETBALL

Atmosphere worth loss for university

Sean Ely
October 19, 2008

It’s no surprise that MSU students get certain price-saving deals because of their enrollment at the university. But the numbers for student members of the Izzone are colossal when hammered out and put into black and white — seeing how much MSU’s administration could be banking compared to what they charge their loyal fans between the ages of 18-23.

BASKETBALL

Breslin hosts Midnight Madness tonight at 10:30

Cash Kruth
October 16, 2008

MSU’s annual Midnight Madness event will take place at 10:30 p.m. tonight at Breslin Center, with doors opening at 9:30 p.m. for autographs on the concourse. There also will be promotional giveaways and performances by the Spartan Marching Band, MSU cheerleaders, MSU Dance Team and Sparty throughout the night

BASKETBALL

Izzo introduces 2008-09 Spartans

Sean Ely
October 15, 2008

For the first time since the spring, the MSU men’s basketball team — with the addition of three new faces — was fully dressed for Media Day at Breslin Center. Answering questions about the past, present and future, the Spartans were amped and ready to kick off the 2008-09 schedule Nov. 5 against Northern Michigan, head coach Tom Izzo’s alma mater.

BASKETBALL

Many lessons learned at Izzo media practice

My inquiries on how MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo works his magic to mold such quality athletes while keeping them so well-behaved have been wiped clean. I understand it now because my niche changed from reporter to athlete, even if it was short-lived.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Neitzel signs contract with German team

Alex DiFilippo
July 31, 2008

Former MSU guard Drew Neitzel has signed a one-year contract to play with the Artland Dragons of the German Professional Basketball League, according to Eurobasket.com Neitzel played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA’s Summer League earlier this month, but decided to sign with Artland on Wednesday.

BASKETBALL

Word on the street

The Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks had a small melee in Tuesday night’s WNBA game. Here are some thoughts on what went down.