Friday, October 9, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | Basketball

BASKETBALL

Reckers clutch performance is March at its best

March is nearly every sports fan’s favorite month - and despite what the shameless self-promoters at ESPN will tell you, it’s not because “A Season on the Brink” aired. And while the “total sports network” ventures in Brian Dennehy movies, I’ll try to find something a little more worthwhile to write about. I have to resist any urge to write a “65 things I love about March” column, because it’s in the best interest of you, the reader, and my reputation to avoid any and all gimmicky columns - i.e.

BASKETBALL

East bracket breakdown

A very critical factor in a team’s success during the NCAA Tournament can be who you play. And with a shocking upset just around the corner, anything is possible. Let’s take a look at the other teams in the bottom half of the East regional bracket. First round opponent: No.

BASKETBALL

Intensity in question for tournament

Justin A. Rice
March 11, 2002

Despite an early exit in the Big Ten Tournament, the MSU men’s basketball team heads into the NCAA Tournament with its finger on its biggest problem - intensity.The question will be, “Can the Spartans pick up the intensity after losing to Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament?”That same question was MSU head coach Tom Izzo’s biggest concern heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Taylor, Ballinger grab honors on All-Big Ten teams

Dan Woike
March 5, 2002

One day after winning Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career, Spartan sophomore guard Marcus Taylor was selected by coaches and media Tuesday as a member of the All-Big Ten First Team. Taylor led the conference in scoring and assists with averages of 17.7 points and five assists per game.

BASKETBALL

MSU topples Iowa at home, 93-79

Justin A. Rice
March 2, 2002

The MSU men’s basketball team closed out regular-season play Saturday with its fifth straight win - a 93-79 routing of Iowa on Senior Day at Breslin Center. The win over the Hawkeyes (16-14 overall, 5-11 Big Ten) also guarantees MSU (19-10, 10-6) at least the No.

BASKETBALL

U to wrap up regular season at home

Justin A. Rice
March 1, 2002

A Spartan win Saturday would guarantee the men’s basketball team a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. MSU (18-10 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) needs to win its final regular-season game against Iowa (16-13, 5-10) at Breslin Center to earn the No.

BASKETBALL

Freshman returns home for Big Ten Tournament

Justin A. Rice
February 28, 2002

Playing in front of the hometown fans is always difficult. The desire to rise to the challenge and represent is unavoidable, but so are the distractions.As an Indianapolis native, freshman guard Chris Hill has more to think about than just the Big Ten Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Tournament time

Justin A. Rice
February 28, 2002

As the court inside Breslin Center was taken apart piece by piece, one couldn’t help but think of MSU’s 2000 National Championship won on that very floor. It stands as a foundation for the entire program - the NCAA title, the Big Ten championships, the 53-game home-court winning streak.

BASKETBALL

First, but not last Big Ten Tournament not held in Chicago

Ryan Wallace
February 28, 2002

Goodbye Windy City. Hello Hoosier hospitality. The fifth annual men’s Big Ten Tournament will call Indianapolis its new home, after a four-year run in Chicago.However, the 11 teams that compete in the Big Ten shouldn’t make themselves comfortable.Scott Chipman, associate director of communications for the Big Ten, said the move this year is just the first in a series of moves between the two cities.“The tournament is going back to Chicago next year, then back to Indiana,” Chipman said.

BASKETBALL

MSU mens basketball report card

Record: 18-10 overall, 9-6 Big Ten 2001-2002 Report Card: Shooting: B+ The Spartans have shot the ball especially well lately, most recently hitting 59 percent from the field in an 81-76 win at No.