SPORTS
Prognosticators
Guess who it is? It’s the prognosticators! Guess what they’re doing? They’re prognosticating!
BASKETBALL
Breakdown
The MSU men’s basketball team welcomes Michigan to town Sunday to put the cap on a rivalry weekend. The game against the Wolverines comes at a time when MSU can string together some necessary conference victories to put itself in position to win a Big Ten title.
SPORTS
Klages 'not nervous' about meet with No. 6 U-M
Trust in your preparation. Compete with your heart. Assistant gymnastics coach Katie Teft said she hopes her team can keep this mantra in mind as her athletes compete against U-M at 6 p.m. Saturday at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor.
ICE HOCKEY
Beat U-M
The time has come. It’s a rivalry of epic proportion. MSU versus Michigan is one of the most heated and famous encounters in college hockey. Throw in the fact that U-M hockey is No. 1 in the country and that raises the ante for this weekend’s home-and-home series
BASKETBALL
"Little brother" U-M not on MSU's level
How would you describe two storied rivals who face off each year with the occasional glimmer of hope in one team’s eyes while the other always manages to come out on top with the bragging rights?
BASKETBALL
Around the Big Ten: Penn State hurt by loss of Claxton
Here is a quick look at the men’s basketball team’s next three opponents.
SPORTS
Spartans face tough test against Minnesota
It’s been nearly two weeks since the MSU wrestling team last took to the mat, but instead of getting an easy tune-up the Spartans will take on No. 4 Minnesota tonight at Jenison Field House.
ICE HOCKEY
U-M talented, but Spartans will be ready
U-M is No. 1 in the nation for hockey. I’m not worried. The Wolverines happen to be playing the Spartans — the defending national champions. Ever heard of them?
BASKETBALL
Naymick proving valuable on and off the court
He’s been to a Final Four, swatted his way to the top of the MSU all-time blocks list and is pursuing a doctoral degree in finance. But ask fifth-year senior center Drew Naymick how he feels about his portfolio and he’ll say it’s incomplete.
BASKETBALL
Spartans seek to remain consistent throughout game
The MSU women’s basketball team will be taking extra care to put the ball in the basket tonight against Illinois. After making 4-for-21 3-pointers last Sunday and 24-for-60 in the field, MSU head coach Suzy Merchant has stressed getting to the boards and regaining confidence in the team’s shooting.
BASKETBALL
Breakdown
The MSU men’s basketball team erased most any doubt that they could play on the road this weekend, beating Minnesota 78-73 in Minneapolis. Now, the Spartans (16-2 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) travel to Northwestern (6-9, 0-5), looking to put another notch in their road belt. Don’t expect the environment at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill., to be too rowdy.
BASKETBALL
Top 5 MSU/U-M moments
The Spartans hockey, men’s basketball and gymnastics teams wage war with U-M this weekend, so the sports desk brings you the Top 5 moments in the rivalry during the past five years.
BASKETBALL
Wildcats have ammo for upset against MSU
Unconventional. That was the primary adjective MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo used to describe certain aspects of Northwestern’s gameplay.
FOOTBALL
MSU tight end to Play Senior Bowl
MSU senior tight end Kellen Davis has been selected to play in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl, a pre-draft game that features the country’s top NFL draft prospects. Davis is one of the top 100 college seniors chosen as NFL draft prospects.
ICE HOCKEY
Trash talking heats up between MSU, U-M
Although he’s a native of the Buffalo area, senior forward Chris Mueller has become fully assimilated into the MSU vs. U-M rivalry. Mueller even admitted exchanging text messages with U-M forward Danny Fardig early this week — but none were of the discussible nature.
BASKETBALL
Izzo looking for more cohesion
When all the stars align, the Spartans can run with just about anybody in the country, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said. But when he talks about everyone contributing, he means from top to bottom — from the starting five to the assistant coaches.
BASKETBALL
Young Spartans lacking leadership
MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is still searching for a leader. With nine underclassmen filling the Spartans’ roster, it has been a struggle for Merchant to uncover a leader on the young squad.
BASKETBALL
Guards must step up for MSU to go far
If the MSU men’s basketball team wants to ride the Final Four rodeo in San Antonio two months from now, senior guard Drew Neitzel needs to be the cowboy who leads it there.
BASKETBALL
'Bigs' are key to Spartan victory
After MSU’s victory against Ohio State last week, Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta admitted a secret. He said while they’d never just give away a basket, they were willing to allow MSU’s big men some open jump shots.
BASKETBALL
Indiana hands MSU women's hoops team 5th Big Ten loss
It’s the same old song and dance for the MSU women’s basketball team. An inability to retain focus until the last buzzer sounds is once again the story behind the Spartans’ latest demise.