SPORTS

Wrestling falls to rival Central Michigan, 21-12

Jesse O'Brien

February 16, 2012

In its final dual of the season, the MSU wrestling team suffered a 21-12 loss at the hands of head coach Tom Minkel’s alma mater, Central Michigan. The Spartans finish the regular season with a 3-11 overall record (1-7 Big Ten) and will have a two week layover before the Big Ten Championships begin on March 3. The dual began with the 184-pounders when senior Ian Hinton dropped a 14-1 major decision to No.

ICE HOCKEY

Hot Spartans look to sweep final home series

Dillon Davis

February 16, 2012

Riding a hot streak that includes three wins in its last four games against Ohio State and Michigan, the No. 16 MSU hockey team will look to take care of business this weekend against Alaska.

BASEBALL

MSU opens season in Florida, will face ranked opponents

Jeremy Warnemuende

February 16, 2012

More than ever before, junior center fielder Torsten Boss and the MSU baseball team know how important every game can be.

ICE HOCKEY

Successful senior class to be honored at final home game Saturday

Dillon Davis

February 16, 2012

Brett Perlini could have left. Playing in 116 games since he stepped on MSU’s campus four years ago, Perlini has added depth and has been a standout leader on offense for the MSU hockey program. But the journey always hasn’t been an easy one.

SPORTS

Ultimate frisbee club sees midseason success

Caleb Nordgren

February 16, 2012

When the MSU ultimate frisbee club walked off the field last May, it did so with a bitter taste in its collective mouth.

SPORTS

MSU, Illinois to fight for Victory Plank trophy

Jesse O'Brien

February 16, 2012

As the MSU gymnastics team prepares to hit the road for the first time in three weeks, the Spartans have some added motivation as they compete for the Victory Plank against No. 18 Illinois.

BASKETBALL

BADGER HUNTING

Pat Evans

February 15, 2012

Fresh off a win against No. 6 Ohio State, the No. 7 MSU men’s basketball team must take on No. 15 Wisconsin, another team right in the late-season hunt for the Big Ten title.

SPORTS

Spartans take on Central Michigan in heated rivalry

Jesse O'Brien

February 15, 2012

As the MSU wrestling team heads into its final dual of the season — at No. 25 Central Michigan on Thursday — the Spartans hope to continue improving on the mat and end the regular season on a high note before the postseason begins.

ICE HOCKEY

Face Time: Former Spartan and current NHL player Jeff Petry

Dillon Davis

February 15, 2012

With the jerseys of hockey legends such as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey hanging in the rafters, the Edmonton Oilers have built a legacy as one of the great franchises in the NHL.

BASKETBALL

Women’s basketball refuses to accept defeat in the Big Ten, at Wisconsin

Josh Mansour

February 15, 2012

After seeing her team struggle to bring consistent energy all season, Taylor Alton has seen enough. Following a 74-57 loss to Iowa on Sunday, Alton met with her fellow seniors and talked about setting a new standard for the season’s final weeks.

BASKETBALL

Defensive strengths drive MSU’s late success

Jeremy Warnemuende

February 15, 2012

During his press conference Monday, MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo spent time talking about what his team has to work on headed into the final stretch.

FOOTBALL

Former Spartan safety, All-American passes away

Dillon Davis

February 15, 2012

Former MSU All-American safety Allen Brenner died on Feb. 13, in Clinton, N.C., after battling an extended illness. He was 64.

BASKETBALL

Column: Green earns edge in major Big Ten award

Pat Evans

February 14, 2012

Draymond Green was honored with his third Big Ten Player of the Week award of the season Monday following a performance at No. 6 Ohio State that likely gives him the edge in the Big Ten Player of the Year award.

SPORTS

Column: MSU improves individually despite results

Jesse O'Brien

February 14, 2012

If I told you the 3-10 MSU wrestling team (1-7 Big Ten) — which hasn’t won a dual in six straight attempts — was in the midst of an upswing, you might think I’d lost my mind. But the truth is, the Spartans have seen improvements in each of those duals and have given a couple ranked teams a run for their money.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans fight for CCHA position, home-ice advantage

Dillon Davis

February 14, 2012

Brett Perlini sees the Michigan hangover subsiding. With the exception of the crushing ending of Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss at Joe Louis Arena, the weekend series split with the then-No.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU sees benefits from outdoor hockey events

Dillon Davis

February 14, 2012

More than a decade ago on a chilly Saturday in October 2001, 74,544 fans witnessed the start of a phenomenon. In an event historically catered to the NHL and the bright lights of a more prominent venue, Spartan Stadium hosted the Cold War hockey game between MSU and Michigan. The game, which ended in a 3-3 tie between the heated in-state rivals, set milestones for the largest crowd at an ice hockey game and paved the way for a culture embracing outdoor hockey.

BASEBALL

Big Ten names Spartan baseball championship favorite in preseason

Michelle Martinelli

February 14, 2012

After winning its first Big Ten Championship last season since 1979, the conference named the MSU baseball team the preseason favorite to win the 2012 Big Ten Championship, the conference announced Tuesday.

BASKETBALL

Izzo focuses on execution, turnovers

Pat Evans

February 13, 2012

At his weekly press conference Monday, Tom Izzo said there are a few areas his team needs to improve on, as it’s about to embark on a 13-day, five-game stretch.

BASKETBALL

Merchant shows concern with team’s lack of tenacity, energy

Josh Mansour

February 13, 2012

After winning three straight games with a new starting lineup, MSU women’s basketball (15-10 overall, 7-5 Big Ten) head coach Suzy Merchant thought her team had moved past the bad habits that dug it a hole in the conference standings.

BASEBALL

Drafted freshmen opt for MSU, significant contributions expected

Jeremy Warnemuende

February 13, 2012

Entering his fourth season as MSU baseball’s head coach, Jake Boss Jr. can’t remember ever relying on so many freshmen.