ICE HOCKEY

From top dog to underdog

Matt Bishop

March 27, 2008

The defending national champions aren’t supposed to be a large underdog entering the NCAA Tournament.But considering the circumstances surrounding the MSU hockey team’s West Regional semifinal game against Colorado College tonight, it’s difficult to call the Spartans a favorite. First, there’s what should be a raucous crowd at World Arena, where the host Tigers are 18-2-0 this season. Add in an Olympic-size ice sheet and elevation in excess of 6,000 feet and the odds seemed to be stacked against the Spartans.

BASKETBALL

Walton takes role as captain to higher level

Sean Ely

March 27, 2008

At 7 a.m. Monday morning, junior guard Travis Walton busted into roommate junior center Goran Suton’s bedroom with his butt down, head up, on the balls of his feet — chopping his legs back and forth to symbolize his defensive stance.

ICE HOCKEY

Answering the big questions

The MSU hockey team has a tall task ahead as it faces Colorado College at 10 p.m. tonight in the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional semifinal at World Arena.

BASKETBALL

Spartans prepare for game in football stadium

Joey Nowak

March 27, 2008

For all that has been said about Tom Izzo’s basketball teams playing like football players and his notorious “war drill” that features football pads, it’s only appropriate that the Spartans will play their Sweet 16 game in a football stadium this weekend.

SPORTS

Positive attitude, focus on technique will be paramount for Big Ten Tournament

Kristi Jourdan

March 27, 2008

Despite an injury and two straight losses, the MSU gymnastics team is optimistic about Saturday’s Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor.

SOFTBALL

Joseph: Weather's going to be an issue

Kristi Jourdan

March 26, 2008

Mother Nature won’t be very nice to the MSU softball team this weekend in its home opener, but that doesn’t bother the players. A chilly, rainy and snowy weekend is forecast throughout the team’s Friday and Saturday series against Minnesota and double-header against Wisconsin on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

Guards look to lock down Kansas' star

Allison Grant

March 26, 2008

It may not be the national championship they originally wanted, but it’s the one they are on track to receive.

BASKETBALL

Thomas' tendencies beyond the hardwood

Keiara Tenant

March 26, 2008

The State News caught up with freshman guard Brittney Thomas to find out how she got involved with basketball and what she’s like off the court.

FOOTBALL

Players struggle with unforced errors in first practice with pads

Cash Kruth

March 26, 2008

With three spring practices down and 12 to go, the message from football head coach Mark Dantonio to his players is simple — “We’ve got to get better.”

BASEBALL

Hoping to get hot in home stand

Joey Nowak

March 26, 2008

There haven’t exactly been the most beautiful days for baseball. With the typical erratic Michigan springtime weather coming through, cold temperatures and snow have forced the MSU baseball team to cancel and postpone scheduled East Lansing games.

ICE HOCKEY

Odds stacked against icers for first round

Matt Bishop

March 25, 2008

The MSU hockey team is doing all it can to prepare for what lies ahead in its NCAA West Regional semifinal game against host Colorado College on Friday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

BASKETBALL

Spartans feeding off NCAA tourney snub

Allison Grant

March 25, 2008

The MSU women’s basketball team has the ability to lose its next game or take it all the way. Head coach Suzy Merchant said the Spartans have used, and will continue to use the pent up anger and disappointment that came with missing out on the NCAA Tournament to fuel their way to a WNIT championship.

BASEBALL

Spartans attempt to make up game

Cash Kruth

March 25, 2008

The MSU baseball team will try to get a home game under its belt before this weekend’s Big Ten conference opener against Illinois.

BASKETBALL

Suton's play approaches Izzo's standards

Joey Nowak

March 24, 2008

MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo seems to have the ability to see what other people can’t. At least, specifically, in the case of Goran Suton.

BASKETBALL

Spartan fans travel cross-country to Denver to support MSU in tourney

Sean Ely

March 23, 2008

Some dedicated MSU basketball fans attend all the home games, an occasional away game and maybe even paint their faces before screaming the fight song at the top of their lungs.

SPORTS

Gomez grapples way to 3rd place finish in NCAA tourney

Cash Kruth

March 23, 2008

It was the No. 1 seed against the No. 2 seed, but instead of MSU sophomore wrestler Franklin Gomez and Illinois’ Jimmy Kennedy battling for the 133-pound national championship, they squared off in the third-place match at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis.

BASKETBALL

Team is finally on right track after highs, lows

Flash back five months. The MSU men’s basketball team was ranked No. 8 in the country, chosen as a favorite to win the Big Ten and Drew Neitzel was named the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.

SOFTBALL

Weigle blasts grand slam in win, baseball postponed

Cash Kruth

March 23, 2008

A combination of plenty of offense and solid pitching from senior Lesley Noel led the MSU softball team to a 2-1 showing at the Best Western Miami Invitational in Oxford, Ohio, to improve its record to 14-13.

BASKETBALL

Keane's 20-point performance leads MSU to victory, Spartans advance in WNIT

Allison Grant

March 23, 2008

Freshman forward Kalisha Keane has an admirer. No, not an MSU women’s basketball fan, but Bowling Green women’s basketball head coach Curt Miller.

SPORTS

MSU serves up a split series in Big Ten opening weekend

Marilyn King

March 23, 2008

It was an up-and-down weekend for the MSU women’s tennis team as they began Big Ten play, taking out Purdue 6-1 Saturday and succumbing to Illinois 4-3 Sunday at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility.