MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ward continuing freshman development, looks to adjust to new role

Casey Harrison

January 6, 2017

Nick Ward finished the  93-65 blowout win over Rutgers with 15 points and six rebounds over 24 minutes on the floor Wednesday, but head coach Tom Izzo still wasn’t satisfied with the freshman forward’s performance against the Scarlet Knights, still winless in conference play. “They took away Nick pretty good, and I think Nick took away Nick a little bit,” Izzo said during his postgame press conference.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

PREVIEW: MSU looks to go 4-0 in the Big Ten against Penn State

Connor Clark

January 6, 2017

On Saturday Jan. 7, MSU men’s basketball (11-5 overall) looks to increase their Big Ten record to a perfect 4-0.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Bridges returns from injury, serves as catalyst in blowout win over Rutgers

Casey Harrison

January 5, 2017

A missed jump shot from Rutgers forward Issa Thiam with 8:25 left in regulation was followed by a block and defensive rebound from freshman forward Miles Bridges, back in a game for the first time since Nov. 29 when sustaining a foot injury against then-No. 5 Duke.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Evaluating Miles Bridges' return

Connor Clark

January 5, 2017

After rolling his ankle during the MSU men's basketball team's loss to then-No. 5 Duke Blue Devils on Nov. 29, freshman forward Miles Bridges — head down — walked around in a boot while his teammates continued through their regular season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Final: Bridges returns as Spartans bury Rutgers

Connor Clark

January 4, 2017

Freshman forward Miles Bridges made his first appearance for MSU men's basketball (11-5 overall, 3-0) against Rutgers (11-5 overall, 0-3) since competing against then-No. 5 Duke on Nov. 29. The Spartans would defeat the Scarlet Knights 93-65.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Halftime: Spartans up 42-32 in Bridges' return

Connor Clark

January 4, 2017

MSU men's basketball (10-5 overall, 2-0) used a tag team of free-throws and team defense to earn a 42-32 lead over Rutgers (11-4 overall, 0-2). 

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Live Blog: MSU (10-5 overall) vs. Rutgers (11-4 overall)

Casey Harrison

January 4, 2017

Follow along with The State News and basketball writers Casey Harrison and Connor Clark, as MSU men's basketball (10-5 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) hosts Rutgers University (11-4 overall, 10-2 Big Ten). Send them your comments, thoughts and questions below.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Merchant faints as Spartans defeat Illinois

Denise Spann

January 1, 2017

During the MSU Women's Basketball game against the University of Illinois, Head Coach Suzy Merchant fainted on the sideline early in the 4th quarter.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU improves in second day of GLI, still fell short of expectations

Jonathan LeBlanc

December 31, 2016

After losing in their first game in the Great Lakes Invitational to Western Michigan University in the famed Joe Louis Arena, 4-1, MSU went into Friday night looking to rebound against instate rival, the University of Michigan.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

FINAL: Ellis III leads MSU in scoring as Spartans top Wildcats

Casey Harrison

December 30, 2016

The Spartans would use all of a first-half 19-point lead on the Northwestern Wildcats to secure their second win of conference play, improving to 10-5 overall on the season by besting Northwestern (12-3 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) by a final score of 61-52.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

HALFTIME: Bridges still out, Spartans leading Wildcats at end of first half

Casey Harrison

December 30, 2016

The anticipated return of freshman forward Miles Bridges did not come against Northwestern, but the 6-foot-7 Bridges was in uniform and shooting during warmups for the first time since going down with an injury to his foot on Nov. 29. 

ICE HOCKEY

FINAL: Spartans comeback effort thwarted, fall to Michigan in OT

Souichi Terada

December 30, 2016

It was a similar scene for the MSU hockey team heading into the third and final period in the third place game of the Great Lakes Invitational, or GLI.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Live Blog: MSU (9-5 overall) vs. Northwestern (12-2 overall)

Stephen Olschanski

December 30, 2016

Follow along with The State News and basketball writer, Casey Harrison and newsroom personality Stephen Olschanski, as MSU men's basketball (9-5 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) hosts Northwestern University (12-2 overall, 1-0 Big Ten). Send them your comments, thoughts and questions below.

ICE HOCKEY

FINAL: Special teams rears back its ugly head, MSU hockey falls in first round of GLI

Souichi Terada

December 29, 2016

Under the countless banners hanging from the rafts along with the 'Hockeytown' moniker etched into the ice, historic Joe Louis Arena was the site of the 52nd edition of the Great Lakes Invitational, or GLI.

FOOTBALL

Junior safety Montae Nicholson to declare for NFL draft

Casey Harrison

December 29, 2016

According to multiple reports, junior safety Montae Nicholson will forego his senior season and declare for the NFL draft.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

FINAL: Comeback complete, MSU down 13 at half beats Minnesota in OT 75-74

Connor Clark

December 27, 2016

MSU improves to 9-5 overall against Minnesota (12-2 overall) after a thriller in the land of 10,000 lakes, beating the Golden Gophers in overtime, 75-74. The Spartans trailed by 13 at the half after shooting just 10-29 from the field, for 34.5 percent. The Golden Gophers however, had two players, freshman guard Amir Coffey and sophomore guard Dupree McBrayer, in double digit scoring at the half.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Live Blog: MSU (8-5 overall) at Minnesota (12-1 overall)

Casey Harrison

December 27, 2016

Follow along with The State News and their basketball writers, Casey Harrison and Connor Clark, as MSU men's basketball (8-5 overall) takes on the University of Minnesota (12-1 overall) to kick off Big Ten play.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Ward scores career-high in first start, boosts MSU's defensive output

Casey Harrison

December 22, 2016

After a night in which freshman forward Nick Ward earned his first ever start at the collegiate level, his thoughts were humble and modest after the game. “I was ecstatic,” Ward said.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

FINAL: Ward scores career-high in double-digit win against Oakland

Casey Harrison

December 21, 2016

A buzzer-beating triple from Oakland University freshman guard Brailen Neely cut the Spartan lead down to two points heading into halftime. It propelled a visibly angry Tom Izzo and the Spartans to a 77-65 victory. 

MEN'S BASKETBALL

HALFTIME: Spartans hold on to narrow lead against Golden Grizzlies to start second half

Casey Harrison

December 21, 2016

The Spartans were looking for redemption after falling to Northeastern University in fashion action on Sunday.