Picked to finish third in the Big Ten, the MSU women’s basketball team is off to a 17-7 start and are 10-3 in the conference. Winners of seven of the last eight games, MSU is in shouting distance of the Big Ten Championship. Here’s how they grade out so far.
With the best Big Ten start in school history, an undefeated road record and the moxie to rise above an array of injures and illnesses, the MSU men’s basketball team looks to be in prime position to win its first Big Ten Championship since 2001. Even with all of their success thus far, nobody’s perfect and the No. 9 Spartans (20-4 overall, 10-2 Big Ten) have had their share of breakdowns. Here’s how they stack up with six games remaining:
MSU hockey head coach Rick Comley thinks his team’s recent schedule cluster is the toughest in the CCHA this season. After this weekend the Spartans will have played 12 conference games against three of the top four teams in the league — all of which are ranked in the top 20.
The MSU men’s basketball team’s side of the Berkowitz Basketball Complex was completely quiet earlier this week, as the No. 9 Spartans (20-4 overall, 10-2 Big Ten) were forced into shutdown mode by MSU head coach Tom Izzo.
Imagine spending your whole life dreaming of scoring goals and thinking up new moves to trick defensemen. Then imagine being flipped into the complete opposite role mid-season late in your hockey career. That’s exactly what forward-turned-defenseman Kurt Kivisto has done this season.
Fresh off two consecutive weekends of multiteam competition, the MSU gymnastics team will take on No. 9 Florida on Saturday in East Lansing, hoping to earn some valuable experience against a seasoned SEC opponent before heading back out on the road this month.
An MSU men’s basketball team that loves to push the ball up court and a Michigan team known for its love affair with the 3-point shot each fell victim to unfriendly baskets and lockdown defenses Tuesday night, as the No. 9 Spartans come away with a 54-42 win at Crisler Arena.
In his first interstate rivalry game, MSU forward Delvon Roe showed no signs of nerves. In fact, he played arguably the best game of his career. Roe finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds — his first career double-double — to lead MSU to a 54-42 victory over Michigan Tuesday night at Crisler Arena.
The MSU women’s soccer team has landed six recruits for the 2009 season as Desiree Aber, Kelsey Kassab, Jordan Mueller, Chelsea Peterson, Olivia Stander and Melissa Timko have signed letters of intent.
It’s all smiles around Munn Ice Arena this week. Maybe it’s the unusually warm weather, the first 3-point weekend since Nov. 1, or the two upcoming home games this weekend, but the mood surrounding the MSU hockey team is upbeat.
The questions at women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant’s weekly press conferences usually center around the next game. But with only a trip to Indiana this week, there was plenty of time left open Monday to discuss the major issue the Spartans face — the untimely loss of sophomore guard Brittney Thomas to a season-ending knee injury.
While driving up to school a couple months ago, I stumbled across a sports radio debate that was even more absurd than Michigan men’s basketball head coach John Beilein’s comb-over.
Perhaps unlike any other team in the Big Ten, opponents are never sure which Michigan basketball team will show up on a given night. The Wolverines can look like a potential NCAA Tournament team one night, drilling 3-pointers to beat UCLA and Duke as they did earlier this season.
The secret behind the MSU football program’s recruitment of a top-tier recruiting class is simple: Don’t rely solely on recruiting services such as Rivals.com, Scout.com and Scouts Inc. Instead, go out and do the dirty work yourself.
If games were played on paper, the MSU men’s basketball team would have had Saturday’s game against Indiana wrapped up before the singing of the national anthem. MSU entered the game with the best record in the Big Ten; Indiana had the worst.
After a back-and-forth first few matches, the MSU wrestling team surrendered its last six in a dual meet against Michigan on Sunday at Jenison Field House, falling 28-7.
All Draymond Green did Saturday was take advantage of an opportunity. With the MSU men’s basketball team in a closer-than-expected Big Ten battle with last-place Indiana and senior center Goran Suton struggling early, the freshman forward brought energy and tenacity to the floor, scoring 15 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the Spartans to a 75-47 victory over the Hoosiers at Breslin Center.
It’s no secret the MSU hockey team hasn’t caught many breaks this season. So Saturday, the team did what it needed to — scratching and clawing its way to a gritty 1-0 win over Ferris State at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
Big Rapids — For a second consecutive night, senior goaltender Jeff Lerg came through with an effort good enough to lead the MSU hockey team to victory — only this time, the Spartans were able to hold on to an early lead.
In years past, a tie with Ferris State would not be looked upon as a successful outcome for the MSU hockey team. But in the midst of a tough season — one that includes winless streaks of 11 and, currently, six games — any point is a good point for the Spartans. Despite losing a 2-0 lead for the second straight game and losing the shootout 2-1, MSU head coach Rick Comley will certainly settle for the point the 2-2 tie brings his team.