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Sports | Basketball

BASKETBALL

Spartans entering final stretch

Dan Woike
February 21, 2002

The Spartan men’s basketball team begins a crucial five-day span tonight, when it hosts Minnesota. MSU (15-10 overall, 6-6 Big Ten) plays three games against the Big Ten’s best - beginning with surprising fifth-place Minnesota (14-9, 7-5) at 7 p.m. Spartan head coach Tom Izzo said the upcoming week will play a major role in determining MSU’s NCAA Tournament fate. “It’s no question that this week will pretty much determine our NCAA Tournament future,” Izzo said.

BASKETBALL

Anderson displays court versatility

Dan Woike
February 20, 2002

Spartan men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo has asked a lot of things from his freshman this season - more than ever before. But in addition to big minutes, freshman swingman Alan Anderson has been asked to be a little bit of everything for MSU (15-10 overall, 6-6 Big Ten). “The kid’s going to be a better player for it in the next three years, but I’m not sure we’ve asked more of a freshman,” Izzo said.

BASKETBALL

Threes plague Purdue

Justin A. Rice
February 18, 2002

West Lafayette, Ind. - Purdue’s love for the three-point basket was clear Saturday night, but Valentine’s Day had long passed. “It killed us tonight,” Boilermaker forward Rodney Smith said.

BASKETBALL

U looking to rebound

Dan Woike
February 15, 2002

After a disappointing effort its last time out, the Spartan men’s basketball team travels to West Lafayette, Ind., to take on Purdue at 7 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Spartans tournament future on bubble

Justin A. Rice
February 14, 2002

After losing 63-61 to No. 18 Illinois on Tuesday night, the MSU men’s basketball team was forced to add a new word to its dictionary - bubble.Unless the Spartans win the Big Ten Tournament, they will likely be on the fringe of the 65-team pool in March’s NCAA Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Bradford key to Illini success

When the MSU men’s basketball team tangles with Illinois tonight, people will be watching Illini guard Frank Williams. Williams, the 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year, is the Illini’s leading scorer at 16.4 points per game. But lurking in Williams’ shadow is the key to the Illini’s attack, guard Cory Bradford. Many college basketball enthusiasts remember the senior as one of the conference’s best players his freshman and sophomore campaigns, when he averaged just over 15 points a game.

BASKETBALL

Defense spurs upset win

Justin A. Rice
February 11, 2002

Ohio State’s backcourt duo of Brian Brown and Brent Darby were on an offensive tear before arriving at Breslin Center on Sunday. Brown and Darby combined for an average of 28.1 points per game before losing to MSU (14-9 overall, 5-5 Big Ten) 67-64.

BASKETBALL

Taylor still questionable

Dan Woike
February 8, 2002

The Spartan men’s basketball team may have to gun down Big-Ten-leading No. 16 Ohio State on Sunday at Breslin Center without its most effective weapon available. Sophomore guard Marcus Taylor could still be shelved for the Spartans’ (13-9 overall, 4-5 Big Ten) 1 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Spartans fall to Wildcats, 61-49

Justin A. Rice
February 7, 2002

Evanston, Ill. - The MSU men’s basketball team lost to Northwestern Wednesday for the first time since 1997 and only the second time since 1987. Before the 61-49 loss at Welsh-Ryan Arena, MSU won 27 of the last 28 games between the two teams.

BASKETBALL

Northwestern offense poses challenge to U

Justin A. Rice
February 6, 2002

The MSU men’s basketball team will do its best to stay awake tonight against Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena. “It’s kind of a lull-you-to-sleep offense,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said of the Wildcats’ attack. Wildcats head coach Bill Carmody coached under the legendary Pete Carril at Princeton from 1982-96, and was the Tigers’ head coach until 2000.

BASKETBALL

Taylors status questionable

Dan Woike
February 5, 2002

When sophomore guard Marcus Taylor left Sunday’s game early in the second half, things looked bleak.But after the final buzzer sounded, the MSU men’s basketball team recorded more than a 67-61 win over No.

BASKETBALL

Illinois Cook keeps game within reach in first half

Champaign, Ill. - Forward Brian Cook carried No. 12 Illinois against the Spartans in the first half Sunday at Assembly Hall. But after scoring 20 points in that half, the 6-foot-10, 240 -pounderonly scored two points in the second half as MSU (13-8 overall, 4-4) routed the Illini (15-7, 4-5) 67-61.

BASKETBALL

Spartans ready for Illinois

Justin A. Rice
February 1, 2002

Despite No. 12 Illinois’ two-game losing streak, the MSU men’s basketball team will have its hands full Sunday at Assembly Hall. The Illini (15-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) haven’t lost a Big Ten game at home this season, but they are coming off a 78-67 loss to conference leader No.