BASKETBALL

No. 13 MSU to face Hurricanes in annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Josh Mansour

November 27, 2012

Faced with the challenge of an opponent he’s never seen before, head coach Tom Izzo has sought out an old friend for help: Brian Gregory. The former MSU assistant coach and current Georgia Tech head coach has been one of the people Izzo has turned to in preparing for the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge, which began Tuesday night and continues when the No. 13 MSU men’s basketball team (5-1) heads to Miami to take on the Hurricanes (3-1) tonight (7:30 p.m., ESPN).

ICE HOCKEY

Icers use break to recharge with Ohio State series looming

In the hockey world, Thanksgiving weekend is a notorious one for tournaments. Rinks are ready for the influx of teams and players, and most hockey families grow accustomed to spending the days following the holiday circled around a sheet of ice.

VOLLEYBALL

George readies Spartans for unfamiliar NCAA Tournament opponent

Matt Sheehan

November 27, 2012

When the MSU volleyball team found out they were slated to play San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans didn’t know very much about their next opponent.

BASEBALL

Crosstown Showdown renewed for next three seasons

Lindsay Spagnuolo

November 27, 2012

The Crosstown Showdown, a baseball game between the MSU baseball team and the minor league Lansing Lugnuts, officially has been extended for the next three years, according to a release by the MSU athletics department.

BASKETBALL

Injured players might return to basketball

Josh Mansour

November 26, 2012

After he spent the previous day lamenting his team’s overly giving holiday spirit following a 20-turnover performance against Louisiana-Lafayette, Tom Izzo’s squad decided to give him a gift that even he could appreciate Monday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Appling maturing into leader for No. 13 MSU

Dillon Davis

November 26, 2012

Since naming senior center Derrick Nix and sophomore guard Russell Byrd as co-team captains at the team’s media day in October, head coach Tom Izzo has seen leadership emerge from several different places across the roster.

ICE HOCKEY

Star in the making

Twelve games into the regular season, MSU hockey’s (4-6-2 overall, 3-4-1 CCHA) sophomore forward Matt Berry has emerged as an offensive powerhouse for the Spartans.

BASKETBALL

Jasmine Thomas seeing role expand in senior season

Zach Smith

November 26, 2012

Many times, it’s not good enough for a leader to talk the talk, but they must walk the walk as well, and senior guard Jasmine Thomas is doing that for the MSU women’s basketball team (5-0) so far this season.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball tries to recapture momentum in NCAA Tournament

Matt Sheehan

November 26, 2012

After riding a six-game winning streak late into November, the Spartans ended the regular season in the most unfortunate fashion possible — getting swept in their final two matches. The two sweeps weren’t against just any teams, either. They were against in-state rival Michigan and No. 1 Penn State.

FOOTBALL

Spartans defeat Golden Gophers on road

Jesse O'Brien

November 25, 2012

Facing the possibility of MSU’s first bowlless season since 2006, the MSU football team (6-6 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) bounced back to secure its sixth win and a bowl berth with a 26-10 victory at Minnesota (6-6, 2-6) Saturday afternoon.

FOOTBALL

Column: Bowl appearance not sexy, but important

Josh Mansour

November 25, 2012

It’s not as sexy as a Big Ten title, but in many ways, it’s equally important.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball earns bid to NCAA Tournament against San Diego

Matt Sheehan

November 25, 2012

Anxiety, nerves and a faint silence encompassed the room filled with members of the MSU volleyball team as they awaited the start of the NCAA volleyball selection show on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

No. 15 Spartans top Ragin’ Cajuns

Josh Mansour

November 25, 2012

Noticing people embracing the holiday spirit is a sight many enjoy, but for Tom Izzo, it’s forced him to take on a new role: Grinch.

BASKETBALL

Agee adds depth in MSU’s 68-35 victory over Robert Morris

Zach Smith

November 25, 2012

Just two days after Thanksgiving, the MSU women’s basketball team had even more to be thankful for in their 68-35 win against Robert Morris on Sunday: depth.

BASKETBALL

Turnovers continue to plague No. 15 Spartans in win over Louisiana-Lafayette

Dillon Davis

November 25, 2012

As much as he would like to avoid it, turnovers are becoming a consistent problem for head coach Tom Izzo. And on Sunday, they almost became a much bigger problem.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball defeats Robert Morris 68-35

Zach Smith

November 25, 2012

Seven Spartans scored at least five points, and MSU had the largest rotation of the year as the MSU women’s basketball team (5-0) rolled over Robert Morris (0-5), 68-35, on Sunday afternoon.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball remains undefeated after 68-35 rout of Robert Morris

Zach Smith

November 25, 2012

The MSU women’s basketball team (5-0) cruised past Robert Morris 68-35 in their final home game in November.

BASKETBALL

No. 15 MSU men's basketball survives scare, beats Louisiana Lafayette 63-60

Josh Mansour

November 25, 2012

The MSU men’s basketball team (5-1) survived a scare from Louisiana Lafayette (2-4) on Sunday afternoon, knocking off the Ragin’ Cajuns 63-60 at Breslin Center. The Spartans were led by junior guard Keith Appling, who finished with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists, with sophomore guard Branden Dawson adding 12 points and eight rebounds.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball swept by top ranked Penn State

Matt Sheehan

November 24, 2012

After riding a six game winning streak into last Wednesday, the Spartans now have been swept in their last two games, with their most recent loss to No. 1 Penn State.

FOOTBALL

Bell carries Spartans to 26-10 victory over Minnesota; team earns bowl eligibility

Josh Mansour

November 24, 2012

A record-setting performance by junior running back Le’Veon Bell and a lockdown performance from the Spartans defense has MSU back in postseason play.