Friday, October 9, 2026

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

Sports | Basketball

BASKETBALL

Spartans hitting stride as tournament approaches

Dan Woike
February 28, 2002

Optimism and excitement have surrounded the Spartans’ late-season success. But a few months back, the MSU faithful could only look to what lay well ahead for excitement. The future seemed to be at least one year away for the Spartans (18-10 overall, 9-6 Big Ten) not too long ago. Opening the Big Ten season with three straight back-breaking losses, MSU’s youth and inexperience quickly became a stumbling block and postseason hopes seemed to spell NIT. The first was a 70-67 loss at Minnesota on Jan.

BASKETBALL

Ganakas to be honored at bust

James Jahnke
February 27, 2002

Former Spartan head coach Gus Ganakas will receive the 2002 Men’s Basketball Distinguished Alumnus Award, the university announced Tuesday. Ganakas, who is currently the team’s color commentator on the Spartan Radio Network, is the sixth recipient of the award.

BASKETBALL

U plays spoiler in Columbus

Dan Woike
February 26, 2002

The past four seasons head coach Tom Izzo and his Spartans have spent the last weeks of February fighting off opponents trying to spoil their Big Ten Championship dreams. But with conference title hopes gone, the MSU men’s basketball team (17-10 overall, 8-6 Big Ten) gets to play the spoiler tonight in Columbus, Ohio.

BASKETBALL

Off the bubble

Justin A. Rice
February 25, 2002

The MSU men’s basketball team made the NCAA Tournament selection committee raise a collective brow Sunday.The Spartans toppled Big Ten-leading No.

BASKETBALL

NCAA dreams in good shape

The Spartans’ NCAA Tournament chances remained intact as Alan Anderson stepped to the line and connected on two free throws, giving MSU a 57-54 win against Indiana. Sunday’s win all but wraps up a bid for the Spartans (17-10 overall, 8-6 Big Ten) in the NCAA Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Young Spartans perform under pressure

Dan Woike
February 25, 2002

If young teams are supposed to fold in high-pressure situations, someone forgot to tell the Spartan men’s basketball squad. With an opportunity to raise their NCAA Tournament stock, MSU used late-game heroics to come from behind to upend No.

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.