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Sports

ICE HOCKEY

Amherst first non-CCHA foe

Head coach Ron Mason and his fourth-ranked Spartans rarely look too far down the road. But for tonight’s nonconference matchup against UMass-Amherst at 7:05 at Munn Ice Arena, MSU admits it’s thinking ahead a little bit.

SPORTS

Kent State first in NCAAs

Last year, the MSU field hockey team lost to Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, ending the team’s season. This year, the team lost to Iowa in the second round, the Spartans’ first game of the tournament. But this time the game wasn’t a season-ender. The team received its first invitation to the NCAA Tournament, extending its season at least one more weekend.

FOOTBALL

Brothers set to compete

Regardless of the outcome in MSU’s football game against Indiana on Saturday, one player with the last name Rasmussen won’t be happy.That’s because sophomore defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen’s older brother Kemp is the Hoosiers’ starting defensive end.This game will be the only time the brothers will get a chance to stand on opposite sidelines.“This is the last time we’re going to get to play each other so it’s kind of for bragging rights - forever,” Kyle said.That’s why they’ve been looking forward to it for so long, Kemp told The Associated Press.“I’ve had this game circled on my calendar since last year,” Kemp said.

ICE HOCKEY

Halls hat trick sparks MSU to 6-1 win over UMass-Amherst

MSU senior right wing Adam Hall knocked in two power play goals less than eight minutes into the game and recorded his first career hat trick as the Spartans breezed past UMass-Amherst 6-1 Friday night at Munn Ice Arena.Hall’s second man-advantage tally was his 100th career point, and his four-point night Friday took his career totals to 66 goals and 36 assists.The fourth-ranked Spartans (6-2-1 overall, 5-2-1 CCHA) outshot the Minutemen (3-4) 34-29 and MSU junior goaltender Ryan Miller made 22 saves for the win.Hall, who missed considerable practice time this week while nursing a “skate bite” above his ankle, showed no ill effects Friday.

SPORTS

After up and down season, team ready to pounce at Big Ten Tournament

The matchup today between the MSU women’s soccer team and Michigan has more at stake than just state pride.The game comes in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in West Lafayette, Ind.With a record of 10-7-2, the Spartans have only a slight chance of receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament.But with a strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament, the team could win an automatic bid or at least increase its chances of receiving an invitation, head coach Tom Saxton said.“The NCAA Tournament is still there for us,” he said.

BASKETBALL

Izzo to get $1.3M, bonus to stay at U

MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo received a seven-year rolling contract Wednesday, recognizing him as one of the elite college basketball coaches in the country. The contract, stemming from his rapid success at the program’s helm, brings his annual earnings up $200,000 to $1.3 million, MSU President M.

SOCCER

Postseason begins against Ohio State

The eight seniors on MSU men’s soccer team may only have one game left.If they want to continue to play after today, they’ll have to earn the extra games - with wins.The Spartans will have to beat Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament today in Madison, Wis.The team shutout Ohio State in their only contest this season, winning 3-0 but is expecting better competition from the Buckeyes in the tournament.“There’s no doubt we have the talent to beat them, but they’re a very good team and to beat them twice in one year will be very difficult,” head coach Joe Baum said.If MSU bests Ohio State, the second round holds the winner of the Penn State vs.

FOOTBALL

U should be happy on Saturday

Nothing can really compare to last weekend’s sporting events, especially MSU’s 26-24 upset over Michigan and ex-Detroit Tiger Luis Gonzalez’s game-winning hit in game seven of the World Series. But with plenty of college football left on the schedule and the Spartans rolling, there should still be plenty of excitement.

FOOTBALL

Duel-sport athlete Trannon commits to U, continues Flint tradition

MSU football head coach Bobby Williams recorded two victories over Michigan this weekend. Even before the Spartans registered their 26-24 win Saturday, Williams received a verbal commitment from 6-foot-7 Flint Northern High School senior wide receiver Matt Trannon Friday afternoon, defeating the Wolverines on the recruiting front.“It just felt right,” Trannon said of choosing MSU.

ICE HOCKEY

Estrada finds stride, leads weekend win

A little more than a month into the season, freshman left wing Kevin Estrada finally feels his game is catching up to his teammates.Estrada, who was shut out in his first six collegiate games, scored his first goal as a Spartan on Thursday and then popped in two more in No.

VOLLEYBALL

Spartans add to winning streak with road trip

The Spartan volleyball team got the one thing it’s been searching hardest for last weekend - consistency. The stability highlighted a pair of 3-0 wins, the first Friday evening at Iowa and again on Saturday night at Minnesota, upping the Spartans’ current winning streak to four games. The wins put the Spartans (16-6, 8-6 Big Ten) in possession of fifth place in the Big Ten conference. “We played more constantly and with a lot more energy and stability and we played phenomenal defense,” sophomore setter Nikki Colson said.

SPORTS

Despite loss, Magic glad to be on campus

Sure, the Spartans defeated the Magic Johnson All-Stars 89-87 on Friday night at Breslin Center. And yes, it was Johnson who sophomore guard Marcus Taylor beat off the dribble en route to the game’s winning hoop.But from the look on Johnson’s face after the game, nobody would have known.

SPORTS

Bye doesnt help in tournament

before this weekend, head coach Michele Madison had said the Big Ten Tournament was anyone’s game. Those thoughts turned out to be more accurate than she knew. Despite the MSU field hockey team’s No.