Alan Anderson, Tim Bograkos, Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert, I thank you. Thank you for your dedication to your university and to the team. Thank you for never giving up, giving in, becoming daunted or distressed. For four years you played with resolve.
St. Louis - North Carolina forward Jawad WiIliams had been missing. One of the more consistent players early this season, Williams only scored more than 10 points once in the past eight games. Williams was one of the Tar Heels seniors that survived an 8-20 season and a big coaching change during his four years. But he exploded for 20 points and eight rebounds on Saturday in the 87-71 win against MSU.
St. Louis - What a guy. That says it all about MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who personifies everything you could want from a coach on and off the court. On the court, he is a fiery professional who stands up for his team when the situation calls for it, but he also is an extremely classy individual who shows the proper respect to the opposing team and its players. Off the court, Izzo has a larger-than-life personality, but that does not translate at all to his ego, which, like his team's, is nonexistent. Junior center Paul Davis calls Izzo's passion for the game unmatched and says that he wants to have just a piece of Izzo's passion.
Indianapolis - It is only fitting during a season when the MSU women's basketball team is honored with everything it has accomplished that the true leader of the team is honored herself.
The MSU football team will take the field for its fourth spring practice of the year today, but the Spartans said they realize they are probably sitting second fiddle to the basketball program. Both the men's and women's basketball teams have advanced to the Final Four, and the MSU football team is among the ballers' biggest supporters. "Everybody's watching," senior defensive back Eric Smith said.
The MSU softball team has had time to rest and prepare for its away game against Valparaiso today, after its first home games were canceled last weekend. The Spartans were originally scheduled to play Central Michigan last Thursday and Loyola-Chicago on Saturday.
The MSU baseball team dropped its second game in a row Wednesday against Wayne State in its home opener at Kobs Field. Wayne State led early 2-0 and never looked back to pull off the 9-4 win. With the conference season opener coming up Friday at Iowa, MSU manager Ted Mahan isn't happy with his team's efforts. Starting freshman pitcher Mark Sorenson gave up four runs on five hits in three innings.
Only three days until the Final Four. That means the MSU men's basketball team is trying to keep all the distractions out as the Spartans tune up for the biggest game of their college careers. After beating two of the best college programs, Duke and Kentucky, the Spartans don't have much time to celebrate as Saturday's game against North Carolina is quickly approaching. "Focus is probably the number one key of this week," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.
The MSU women's tennis team lost to Northwestern on Sunday, 6-1. The Wildcats took the lead early by winning all three doubles matches.
Kansas City, Mo. - The matchup everyone has been looking forward to will take place tonight at Municipal Auditorium. The No.
For the first time in tournament history, the hockey NCAA Tournament will feature four teams from the WCHA conference in the Frozen Four. Minnesota, North Dakota, Denver and Colorado College will all vie for college hockey's top prize in Columbus, Ohio April 7-9. Colorado College will face defending national champion Denver in the first semifinal game, while Minnesota and North Dakota will battle in the other for the rights to play in the national championship game at 7 p.m.
Austin, Texas - MSU head coach Tom Izzo has been singing the Big Ten's praises all year long. For the first time, people don't look at him like he's a loon when he does so. That's because three teams from the Big Ten conference have advanced to the Elite Eight, more than any other conference. "Over the last couple years, it seems like we were put down to nothing," Izzo said.
A player of this type does not come through the door often. In this day of shoe contracts, enticing multi-million dollar pro deals and selfishness, it is rare to see a player with the type of team dedication that will forgo personal statistics in order help his team to the highest level possible. But that is exactly what Alan Anderson has done his whole career for his head coach Tom Izzo. Anderson is a rare breed, someone who can effortlessly play any position asked of him and do it with the type of precision that makes him look like he was born to play it. After manning the point last season, Anderson was asked to move to - of all spots - power forward this season.
Michigan State For the first time, MSU's seniors are going to the Final Four. MSU defeated Kentucky in double overtime, 94-88, to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. No.
The magic was back in East Lansing on Friday. After living in the shadows of its predecessors for four years, the No.
After finishing up an extended road trip with a loss to No. 12 Texas A&M, the MSU softball team prepares to take on Valparaiso on Thursday.
Senior forward Adam Nightingale signed an ECHL contract with the Greenville Grrrowl on Tuesday. He is the first Spartan from this year's senior class to make the jump to the professional level. Nightingale was a two-year assistant captain at MSU and finished his MSU career with 11 goals and 10 assists in 67 games.
Duke Mascot: Blue Devils Location: Durham, N.C. Enrollment: 6,347 Founded: 1838 as Trinity College Colors: Royal blue and white Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference Famous alumni: Attorney Kenneth Starr, former U.S.
Junior swimmer Ian Clutten will be the lone Spartan heading to the 2005 NCAA Championships which starts noon today in Minneapolis. The Capetown, South Africa, native will compete in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. This season in the Big Ten Championships, Clutten placed third in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes as MSU came in ninth place.
Don't worry avid Courtside readers, you're not in some parallel universe because the progs prediction is one day early.