ICE HOCKEY

Hockey shutout 6-0 by Miami in first game of CCHA playoffs

Dillon Davis

March 9, 2012

Oxford, Ohio – From the first day of his hire in March, Tom Anastos has put a magnifying glass on MSU’s stagnant playoff record and made it the goal of the team to turn the corner by securing the program’s first playoff win since 2008. The goal will have to be put on hold for another night as the No. 5-seed Spartans couldn’t stave off the potent No. 4-seed Miami (Ohio) scoring attack led by forward Jimmy Mullin to fall, 6-0, in the first game of the series in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford, Ohio.

BASKETBALL

Trice plays through pain, makes impact in first Big Ten Tournament game

Jeremy Warnemuende

March 9, 2012

Not only was Trice able to play Friday in MSU’s 92-75 win over Iowa, he logged 24 minutes — the second most he’s played all season — and knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to nine points.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Payne scores career high in win against Iowa

Pat Evans

March 9, 2012

Indianapolis — Adreian Payne had a focus he’s never had before during the No. 8 men’s basketball team’s 92-75 win against Iowa.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: MSU shows impressive depth in win against Iowa

Pat Evans

March 9, 2012

_Indianapolis —_ It wasn’t quite the 34-point beat down that the No. 8 MSU men’s basketball team gave Iowa when the Hawkeyes came to Breslin Center Jan. 10, but the 92-75 win in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament gave the Spartans plenty to be happy about.

BASKETBALL

Men's basketball starts 'new season' against Iowa at Big Ten Tournament

Jeremy Warnemuende

March 8, 2012

After the MSU men’s basketball team lost its final two games of the regular season, the Spartans felt like they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. MSU (24-7 overall, 13-5 Big Ten) could have won an outright Big Ten Championship with a win against either Indiana or Ohio State last week.

BASKETBALL

Column: Spartans remember seniors' accomplishments, not disappointing loss

Jeremy Warnemuende

March 4, 2012

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Sunday was destined to be a Hollywood-esque sendoff for forward Draymond Green, and the stage had been set perfectly. Green and his fellow seniors were supposed to lead the No.

SPORTS

Wrestling finishes 10th in Big Ten, qualifies six for NCAA Tournament

Jesse O'Brien

March 4, 2012

After Saturday’s strong showing in the Big Ten Championships — in which five MSU wrestlers secured spots in the NCAA tournament — only junior 149-pounder Dan Osterman was left competing for a tournament berth.

SPORTS

Five wrestlers qualify for NCAA Tournament

Jesse O'Brien

March 3, 2012

Midway through the Big Ten Championships hosted in West Lafayette, Ind., five Spartan wrestlers already have punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament, while one more still is scrapping to make it in.

BASKETBALL

Column: Spartans fail to capitalize on opportunities for success

Josh Mansour

March 3, 2012

Indianapolis – As Kiana Johnson walked toward the bench, she pulled her headband down to cover her eyes. At some point, you’ve just seen enough.

BASKETBALL

Spartans' NCAA Tournament chances left up to fate

Dillon Davis

March 3, 2012

Indianapolis – Walking off the court after being bounced by Purdue in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, the minds of Lykendra Johnson and players on the MSU women’s basketball team were filled with uncertainty. Following MSU’s 74-63 loss to the Boilermakers on Friday, questions surrounded the team’s candidacy for a bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Spartans unable to stop Purdue's Rayburn in tournament loss

Dillon Davis

March 3, 2012

Indianapolis – With each shot that crossed the threshold of the rim by Purdue guard Brittany Rayburn, the MSU women’s basketball team gradually watched its Big Ten Tournament chances fade away.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball falls to Purdue, eliminated from Big Ten Tournament

Josh Mansour

March 3, 2012

Indianapolis — The MSU women’s basketball team (20-11 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) fell to Purdue (22-8, 11-5) 73-64 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.

SPORTS

Gymnastics defeats Illinois-Chicago on senior night

Caleb Nordgren

March 3, 2012

With senior night winding down, as it became clear that MSU was going to come out on top, senior Jackie Berg crouched beside the floor, head bowed, simply overwhelmed by the moment.

Jaclyn McNeal ·

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball out for revenge against Purdue

Josh Mansour

March 2, 2012

Indianapolis – As she sat at her locker, thinking about the upcoming opportunity to face Purdue, freshman guard Kiana Johnson’s face couldn’t help but light up. The Spartans (20-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) will take on No.

BASKETBALL

Column: Spartans' progress shows in Big Ten Tournament

Josh Mansour

March 2, 2012

One down, three to go. The MSU women’s basketball team (20-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) came into the Big Ten Tournament determined to make history as the first team to win four games in four days to win the title. If Thursday’s opening round game against Indiana (6-24 overall, 1-15) is any indication, it’s clear the Spartans mean business.

BASKETBALL

Merchant spreads playing time in preparation for Purdue tonight

Dillon Davis

March 2, 2012

Indianapolis – With the benefit of a 97-68 rout against No. 11 seeded Indiana, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant had the opportunity to spread out some minutes Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

BASKETBALL

Women's team wins in Indianapolis, faces off against Purdue tonight

Dillon Davis

March 2, 2012

Indianapolis- When asked before the game what a win in her team’s opening game at the Big Ten Tournament would do for the MSU women’s basketball team’s chances to secure an NCAA Tournament bid, Suzy Merchant assured a victory would put her team over the top. Well at least for now, mission accomplished.

BASKETBALL

Fifth-year phenom

Jeremy Warnemuende

March 1, 2012

Physically, Austin Thornton has been here before. A fifth-year senior guard for the No. 5 MSU men’s basketball team, Thornton has been to two Final Fours, played in a National Championship game and he’s been a part of three Big Ten championship teams.

BASKETBALL

Women's basketball routs Indiana 97-68 in first round

Josh Mansour

March 1, 2012

Indianapolis – It took a little while for the Spartans to get going, but an early run helped the MSU women’s basketball team (20-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) cruise to a 97-68 victory over Indiana (6-24, 1-15) in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

BASKETBALL

MSU focuses on Ohio State rematch at Breslin Center

Pat Evans

March 1, 2012

The No. 5 MSU basketball team could have an extra-special Senior Day on Sunday. With Tuesday’s 70-55 loss at No. 18 Indiana, the Spartans (24-6 overall, 13-4 Big Ten) host a default championship game at Breslin Center against No. 10 Ohio State (24-6, 12-5).