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Sports | Basketball

BASKETBALL

On the heels of history

Cash Kruth
December 2, 2008

When the MSU men’s basketball team faces No. 1 North Carolina at 9:15 p.m. tonight at Ford Field in Detroit, it won’t just be facing the best team in the country. The Spartans could be facing one of the best teams in college basketball history. “Is this one bigger because it’s at Ford Field and that’s where the Final Four is?” MSU head coach Tom Izzo asked rhetorically. “No, it’s bigger because … there’s been talk about, ‘Is this one of the best teams ever?’”

BASKETBALL

Spartans, Lucas ready for Lawson, No. 1 North Carolina

Alex Altman
December 2, 2008

As a freshman last season, MSU men’s basketball guard Kalin Lucas had the game of his life on the biggest stage of his life. Playing No. 7 Texas at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s product poured in a career-high 18 points, six rebounds and six assists to help the Spartans upend the Longhorns, 78-72.

BASKETBALL

Spartans rebound against Cowboys

Alex Altman
November 29, 2008

Raymar Morgan scored a season-high 29 points off the bench and three other Spartans scored in double figures, as the No. 5 MSU men’s basketball team defeated Oklahoma State 94-79 Friday at the Old Spice Classic at the Milk House in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

BASKETBALL

Spartans look to limit mistakes against 2 ranked opponents

The men’s basketball team isn’t the only hoops squad that has to endure a tough stretch of games the next week. The No. 24 women’s basketball team, fresh off winning the TD Banknorth Classic championship, now has to face No. 23 Old Dominion and No. 14 Notre Dame this week, something head coach Suzy Merchant said she is looking forward to.

BASKETBALL

Izzo preparing team for Old Spice Classic

Alex Altman
November 24, 2008

With arguably the toughest four-game stretch in program history on the horizon, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo is preparing for a stressful holiday season. “This might be toughest four-game stretch because … none of (the games) are at home,” Izzo said. “It just gives me something else to worry about over Thanksgiving.”

BASKETBALL

MSU stomps Detroit Mercy

Sean Ely
November 19, 2008

Not even two big handfuls of mistakes could knock the MSU women’s basketball team off its path. Despite 24 turnovers and 49 missed shots from the floor and free-throw line, the Spartans still rolled over Detroit Mercy 85-48 on Wednesday at Breslin Center — remaining unbeaten this season.

BASKETBALL

Izzo settles on small lineup

Cash Kruth
November 17, 2008

After weeks of wondering who would play where and in what capacity, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo unveiled the first official edition of the MSU starting lineup Sunday night. In the Spartans’ 100-62 season-opening win against Idaho at Breslin Center, Izzo started sophomore guards Kalin Lucas and Chris Allen in the backcourt, senior guard Travis Walton at the three and junior forward Raymar Morgan and senior center Goran Suton in the frontcourt.

BASKETBALL

'Uninspired' Spartans rout overmatched Stony Brook

Jacob Carpenter
November 16, 2008

The final score of Sunday’s 73-42 victory over Stony Brook meant very little to women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant. The Spartans were tired, passive and careless in MSU’s second game of the season, Merchant said, even though the scoreboard displayed a 31-point MSU win.

BASKETBALL

Izzo readies team for unknown

Alex Altman
November 12, 2008

You’ll have to excuse MSU head coach Tom Izzo for not knowing much about the Idaho men’s basketball team. After all, the team features 12 new players, a new head coach and has played only one exhibition game.

BASKETBALL

Spartans too much for Lakers

Cash Kruth
November 9, 2008

The MSU women’s basketball team capped off its exhibition season with a convincing 84-44 win against Grand Valley State on Sunday at Breslin Center — using their superior strength, quickness and depth to pull away from the Lakers despite turning the ball over 25 times.