Through Kalin Lucas’ eyes, tonight’s game against Memphis will look more like the Kentucky Derby than the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The freshman guard said the fans who make their way to Reliant Stadium at 10 p.m. in Houston are in store for a lightning-quick, up-and-down basketball game between two teams that strive to run a blazing fast-break offense.
As soon as Detroit was announced as a site for this weekend’s NCAA Tournament basketball games, MSU alumnus DeArron Easley knew he had to go. “I decided to go to the games at Ford Field because I am a basketball nut who loves this time of year,” he said.
It turned out to be a battle to see which team could launch fewer bricks. The MSU women’s basketball team skidded by Kansas, 58-54, Thursday night at Breslin Center, shooting 34.5 percent from the field.
At 7 a.m. Monday morning, junior guard Travis Walton busted into roommate junior center Goran Suton’s bedroom with his butt down, head up, on the balls of his feet — chopping his legs back and forth to symbolize his defensive stance.
For all that has been said about Tom Izzo’s basketball teams playing like football players and his notorious “war drill” that features football pads, it’s only appropriate that the Spartans will play their Sweet 16 game in a football stadium this weekend.
The State News caught up with freshman guard Brittney Thomas to find out how she got involved with basketball and what she’s like off the court.
It may not be the national championship they originally wanted, but it’s the one they are on track to receive.
The MSU women’s basketball team has the ability to lose its next game or take it all the way. Head coach Suzy Merchant said the Spartans have used, and will continue to use the pent up anger and disappointment that came with missing out on the NCAA Tournament to fuel their way to a WNIT championship.
MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo seems to have the ability to see what other people can’t. At least, specifically, in the case of Goran Suton.
The court wasn’t the only place MSU men’s basketball fans could spot the team’s 6-foot-11-inch junior center, Idong Ibok.
A week ago, the MSU men’s basketball team and head coach Tom Izzo left Indianapolis dejected and dispirited after their exit from the Big Ten Tournament. On Saturday night, it was all smiles about sweet, sweet redemption in Denver.
Flash back five months. The MSU men’s basketball team was ranked No. 8 in the country, chosen as a favorite to win the Big Ten and Drew Neitzel was named the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.
Some dedicated MSU basketball fans attend all the home games, an occasional away game and maybe even paint their faces before screaming the fight song at the top of their lungs.
Freshman forward Kalisha Keane has an admirer. No, not an MSU women’s basketball fan, but Bowling Green women’s basketball head coach Curt Miller.
And now it’s off to the Sweet 16 — a place MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo has been seven times in the past 11 years. But what separates this year’s Spartans from the other six is their ability to hit the playbooks — not just their own, but their opponent’s as well.
Denver — Travis Walton and Co. have already shut down one team’s standout player in the NCAA Tournament. With another round comes another threat.
A mile high and a few steps ahead. The MSU men’s basketball team climbed the first-round mountain and built an 18-point lead Temple couldn’t overcome en route to a 72-61 victory Thursday afternoon at Pepsi Center. The Spartans (26-8) continue their road to the Final Four on Saturday against No. 4 Pittsburgh.
Donning a green wig, Brian Stevens was ready to go at 10 a.m. The graduate student and his roommate, psychology senior Matt Zuehlke, arrived at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 360 Albert Ave., more than two hours before tipoff of the MSU men’s basketball game against Temple University on Thursday.
Levance Fields scored a season-high 23 points and Keith Benjamin had 12 points and nine rebounds for Pittsburgh as the Panthers defeated Oral Roberts 82-63 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at Pepsi Center.
Senior guards Alisa Wulff and Courtney Davidson were hoping Feb. 28 would be the last time they would play at Breslin Center.