BASKETBALL
Intriguing story lines highlight NBA's year
All-Star Weekend is just a week away, which means it's time for my yearly self-indulgent NBA column.
SPORTS
No. 17 Spartans win Fox Run Invitational
The No. 17 MSU gymnastics team took first place Saturday in the Fox Run Invitational, defeating West Virginia, Brown and New Hampshire, the host team. With a team score of 194.000, the Spartans edged past New Hampshire's score of 193.975, giving the Spartans their second straight first-place finish. Freshman Rochelle Robinson achieved something that every gymnast strives for in a career — the perfect 10.0. Robinson's flawless score came from her performance on the vault.
SPORTS
WEB EXTRA: MSU gymnasts look to extend record of wins at invitational
The MSU gymnastics team will carry its No. 17 rank into New Hampshire this weekend for the Fox Run Invitational, where the Spartans will look to do something they've become quite accustomed to doing at this tournament — winning. Every other year, head coach Kathie Klages, now in her 17th season, takes her energetic gymnasts to this meet to bring home a victory. "We are very familiar with it," Klages said.
ICE HOCKEY
WEB EXTRA: Icers to take on Ferris State, Michigan
The No. 6-ranked Spartans are getting ready for their rivalry matchup against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday, the fifth game between the two teams this season. Oh, and they also are preparing for tonight's home game against Ferris State. It's not difficult for MSU (17-8-2 overall, 13-6-2 CCHA) to treat the Bulldogs (9-18-3, 6-14-2) as an afterthought to a key matchup with the No.
SPORTS
WEB EXTRA: MSU to compete in Big Ten Championships
The MSU women's swimming and diving team competes in the Big Ten Championships this weekend in Minneapolis, Minn.
SPORTS
WEB EXTRA: Grapplers face No. 1 Minnesota on road trip
The No. 20 MSU wrestling team will embark on its toughest and most crucial road trip of the season when it travels to face No.
BASKETBALL
'A complete meltdown'
West Lafayette, Ind. — For one half, it was even. And then, in an instant, the game — and maybe the season — got away from the MSU men's basketball team. Looking helpless as Purdue opened the second half on a 33-6 run, the Spartans suffered a crushing 62-38 defeat Wednesday at Mackey Arena, dropping them to 4-6 in the Big Ten and opening the floor for serious discussion about their postseason hopes. It was MSU's lowest scoring output since a 50-36 loss to Michigan on Jan.
SPORTS
Spartans not taking Wildcats lightly
The MSU women's basketball team always boasts about how it takes no opponent lightly and how the next game is the most important one on the schedule. That philosophy will be put to the test at 8 p.m.
FOOTBALL
Dantonio announces 2007 recruiting class
First year MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio announced the 2007 football recruiting class, which Rivals.com ranked No.
BASKETBALL
An 'uphill battle' to finish with winning record
West Lafayette, Ind. — Murphy's law states, "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." That sentiment couldn't have been any more true for MSU when the team faced Purdue on Wednesday. The Spartans, struggling to get their head above water in the Big Ten, would have been wise to take advantage of a mid-tier conference foe in a half-empty stadium with the score tied at halftime, 26-26. But MSU fell apart in nearly every facet in the final 20 minutes, blowing the opportunity to secure its first true quality road win of the season.
FOOTBALL
Football welcomes fans to Breslin Center for NCAA signing day
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio will reveal the incoming class of football recruits tonight at Breslin Center as part of NCAA Signing Day. Fans have been invited to attend the event, which will consist of an autograph session and video tribute to the incoming class.
BASKETBALL
MSU faces tough road test at Purdue
Before losing to Ohio State at home last week, Purdue was 12-0 at Mackey Arena this season. Before beating Penn State in State College, Pa., three days later, the Boilermakers hadn't won a road game in three years. So as the Spartans (17-7 overall, 4-5 Big Ten) travel to West Lafayette, Ind., tonight for an 8 p.m.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers look for strong finish as season closes
The Spartans have looked at their schedule and seen the remaining games. But they're not getting ahead of themselves. With two games apiece against CCHA bottom-feeders Western Michigan, Bowling Green and Ferris State, MSU seemingly could declare a first-round CCHA playoff bye right now.
FOOTBALL
4 MSU seniors to compete in football combine this month
Quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive tackle Clifton Ryan, wide receiver Matt Trannon and punter Brandon Fields all have accepted invitations to partake in the National Football League's 2007 Scouting Combine. The event is scheduled to take place Feb.
ICE HOCKEY
Lerg scores CCHA honors
Junior forward Bryan Lerg was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his four-point performance in last weekend's series against Nebraska-Omaha.
BASKETBALL
Izzo weighs in on Oden, Durant
Tom Izzo is in the unique position of having coached against the two college basketball prospects who have pro scouts salivating the most. In addition to playing against Ohio State center Greg Oden the last two Saturdays, the Spartans also faced Kevin Durant — Texas' 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward — on Nov.
SPORTS
Spartans prepare for final stretch in Big Ten season
At this point of the season, the MSU women's basketball team has to be asking itself one thing: Where have all the home games gone? Thursday's game at Northwestern marks the beginning of a stretch where MSU will play four of its final six regular-season games away from Breslin Center, including trips to No.
FOOTBALL
Fans invited to witness 2007 recruits
MSU football fans have been invited to join head coach Mark Dantonio when he unveils the 2007 recruiting class Wednesday at Breslin Center as part of the NCAA National Signing Day. Spartans football and Detroit Pistons announcer George Blaha is slated to serve as the host of the event.
SPORTS
Grapplers split road meets over weekend
After a stunning 19-14 upset loss to Ohio State on Friday, the No. 19 Spartans (3-6 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) bounced back Sunday at Purdue (10-6, 0-6) with a 21-14 victory. Perhaps even more surprising than Friday's defeat was 133-pound No.
BASKETBALL
Men's team lets game get away
You wouldn't think a rebound with 13 minutes left to play would ever be the deciding factor in a basketball game, but it's the one that probably rendered MSU head coach Tom Izzo an insomniac most of Saturday night. Here's what happened: MSU, despite playing the first half with the harmony of a drunk orchestra, had trimmed an eight-point Ohio State lead to one.