SPORTS
If defense truly wins championships, the NCAA should strongly consider giving MSU the 2001-02 national championship trophy right now.The Spartans, who dominated the nation defensively this season, probably look downright scary to next years opponents.Not only does MSU head coach Ron Mason return his five starting defensemen from the unit that led the nation by only allowing 1.36 goals per game in 2000-01, but he also welcomes back Hobey Baker Award-winning sophomore goaltender Ryan Miller.To put MSUs defensive accomplishments in perspective, Cornell owned the second-best defense in the NCAA at 2.18 goals per game.So, with another year of experience under the belts of Miller, junior defensemen Andrew Hutchinson and Jon Insana, sophomores John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast and freshman Joe Markusen, will anyone score on MSU at all next season?Obviously, you cant go a whole year shutting everybody out, said Miller, who led the nation with 10 shutouts this season.