MEN'S BASKETBALL

COLUMN: MSU shoots itself back into Big Ten conversation following comeback victory against Iowa

John Neidhart

January 8, 2015

MSU has undoubtedly struggled at times this season and some have questioned the team's legitimacy, but after blowing by Iowa with a second half offensive explosion, MSU has shot its way right back into the conversation in the Big Ten. Although the conference season is just a few games in, MSU’s victory over the Hawkeyes was an enormous one.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Travis Trice hits seven 3-pointers, leads MSU to comeback road win against Iowa, 75-61

Omari Sankofa II

January 8, 2015

A 27-10 Iowa run ended the first half on a sour note for the Spartans. However, the play of junior guard Denzel Valentine and senior guard Travis Trice transformed the men's basketball team's fortunes in the final 20 minutes. MSU (11-5 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) opened the second half on a 25-9 run to defeat Iowa on the road in a comeback win, 75-61.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Nairn's first start a success for MSU

Omari Sankofa II

January 5, 2015

The first start of Lourawls Nairn's career perhaps came sooner than expected, but his energy in the starting five helped an MSU team in need of a conference win.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Men's basketball defeats Indiana 70-50

John Neidhart

January 5, 2015

MSU rebounded from a conference-opening loss with an imposing victory over Indiana, winning 70-50 at home. Freshman guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn started in place of senior guard Travis Trice and this decision seemed to give MSU(10-5 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) some energy early in the contest.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

At halftime MSU leads Indiana 36-17

Omari Sankofa II

January 5, 2015

After a less-than-ideal start to Big Ten season last week against Maryland, the men's basketball team looks as though it won't suffer the same fate against Indiana.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's basketball downed by in-state rival Michigan

Geoff Preston

January 4, 2015

No. 24 Women's basketball (8-6 overall, 0-3 Big Ten) fell to in-state rival Michigan (10-4 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) 74-65 Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center. Sophomore forward Ariel Powers led all players in scoring with 26 points, and senior forward Becca Mills reached the 1,000 point milestone in the loss. MSU out-rebounded U-M 35-31, but the turning point in the game was when MSU went scoreless for over five minutes to start the second half and fell down 51-31, MSU went on a run to make the game close but were unable to ultimately close the gap. U-M was led in scoring by freshmen guard Katelynn Flaherty who added 21 points for the Wolverines. MSU out-shot U-M from behind the three point line by shooting 50 percent, and had a higher percentage from the field.

FOOTBALL

Trash talk before the game made Cotton Bowl victory even sweeter for MSU

Geoff Preston

January 2, 2015

It's a moment that always brings fans to their feet and make the position players happy: when an offensive lineman scores a touchdown. It happened in the Cotton Bowl, as LaQuan McGowan caught a touchdown in the third quarter to give Baylor a 41-21 lead in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

SPORTS

MSU comes back to win the Cotton Bowl, 'never lost belief'

Geoff Preston

January 1, 2015

The clock read 4:03 remaining in the third quarter when 390 pound lineman LaQuan McGowan scored on an 18 yard touchdown reception to give Baylor a 41-21 lead in the 79th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. That was enough for MSU.

FOOTBALL

MSU wins one of the most improbable Cotton Bowls. Ever.

Geoff Preston

January 1, 2015

It looked like MSU was going to get run out of the building. Trailing 34-14 and then 41-21 after giving up countless deep passing touchdowns of over 45 yards, but a surprise onside kick changed the momentum and gave MSU their first Cotton Bowl championship. A blocked field goal incited the winning drive, and MSU won maybe the most improbable Cotton Bowl in a long time.

FOOTBALL

HALFTIME: Baylor leading 24-14

Geoff Preston

January 1, 2015

When two teams average 48 and 43 points per game, a shootout in the first half shouldn't come as much of a surprise. There were almost as many touchdowns as punts in the first half, and when the dust settled Baylor went into the locker room leading 24-14.

FOOTBALL

Fans and alumni brave rain and frigid temperatures for Cotton Bowl tailgating

Geoff Preston

January 1, 2015

The weather report was grim outside of the domed AT&T Stadium. A cold, wet 34 degrees that had tailgaters thinking of East Lansing instead of North Texas. This still didn't stop tailgaters from heading to the lots for another session of burgers, beers and football.

Geoff Preston ·

FOOTBALL

Dantonio: Today's Cotton Bowl game no consolation prize for the Spartans

Geoff Preston

January 1, 2015

When head coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans started the season, Arlington, Texas was where they wanted to be.

Geoff Preston ·

FOOTBALL

MSU, Baylor fans ring in the new year in Texas for the Cotton Bowl

Geoff Preston

December 31, 2014

New Year's Day at AT&T Stadium will be reserved for the football players, but New Year's eve saw a different battle take place in North Texas. For the first time ever, the two marching bands competed in a battle of the bands at Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Poor free throw shooting and rebounding doomed Spartans against No. 12 Maryland

John Neidhart

December 30, 2014

After 14 games, MSU has yet to play a complete game from start to finish against a noteworthy team. The Spartans have showed flashes of what they are capable of from time to time but consistency has been an issue all year.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Men's basketball loses Big Ten opener to No. 12 Maryland in double overtime thriller

Omari Sankofa II

December 30, 2014

The men's basketball team had plenty of chances to put the game away. But in yet another close game, missed opportunities cost MSU a signature win. The Spartans (9-5 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) fell to No. 12 Maryland (13-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) 68-66 in a double-overtime thriller at Breslin Center Tuesday.

SPORTS

MSU drops GLI title to Michigan 2-1

Jonathon Chun

December 29, 2014

MSU hockey made its 26th appearance in the Great Lakes Invitational title game on Monday night, facing off against UM for the 300th time in the programs’ storied rivalry.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey opens Great Lakes Invitational with 2-0 win over Ferris State

Jonathon Chun

December 29, 2014

MSU hockey (7-9-1, 1-2-1-1 Big Ten) got its “second half” of the season off to a good start Sunday night.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 20 MSU drops Big Ten opener in women's basketball

Matthew Argillander

December 28, 2014

In its first Big Ten game of the season the women's basketball team (8-4 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) was defeated by the Northwestern Wildcats (11-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) 61-57 on Sunday afternoon in East Lansing. The Spartans were unable to find any rhythm shooting the ball in the game, ultimately shooting 29 percent on 20-of-69 shooting.

SPORTS

Dantonio announces replacements for Narduzzi

Zach Libby

December 28, 2014

When it was announced that Pat Narduzzi would be named the newest head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers a void was left at the defensive coordinator position for MSU.

SPORTS

Pat Narduzzi to leave MSU, become head coach at Pittsburgh

Zach Libby

December 23, 2014

MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said last week in a press conference that his team will be prepared if Pat Narduzzi skips town and accepts a head coaching position with another program.