Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sports

BASKETBALL

'Magic' statue erected at Breslin

The "Magic" is back in East Lansing - this time, forever. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, former MSU standout and 1979 national champion, unveiled a 12-foot, bronze-cast statue of his likeness Saturday morning in front of hundreds of fans gathered outside the Breslin Center. His trademark smile flashed for cameras outside, but a ceremony preceding the unveiling revealed the life-long Spartan shaking with emotion. "My whole life I wanted to be a Spartan," Johnson said.

FOOTBALL

Trailing was unfamiliar for Spartans

MSU was in need of a big play. In unfamiliar territory, trailing 27-13 with a little more than six minutes remaining, the Spartans knew they would have to score quickly. But with Michigan in possession of the football and senior running back Chris Perry rolling to a career day, the odds appeared low. So MSU head coach John L.

FOOTBALL

Wolverines take bragging rights, 27-20

In a rivalry game with bragging rights and possibly the conference title on the line, Michigan's surprising rush-oriented offense dominated MSU's defense, handing the Spartans their first conference loss. The two highly ranked Big Ten powers, which both feature two of the nations top offenses, played as polar opposites Saturday as the No.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers Halloween treat: 2 victories

The MSU hockey team wants to be a winning team for Halloween.Only two wins will grant the Spartans that treat.That feat can happen this weekend, as the Spartans (3-3 overall, 2-2 CCHA) play a home-and-home series against Ferris State (2-4-0, 1-3-0). Friday's contest at Munn Ice Arena faces off at 8:05 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL

Spikers want to break 1-1 funk

The MSU volleyball team is where it always seems to be at this point of the season - in the middle of the pack.The Spartans are 5-5 in conference play, tied for sixth with Purdue, right about where they have been the past couple of seasons.

BASKETBALL

Ager could steal 'U' spotlight

This guy can flat out score. He's a guard with the greatest combination of shooting and athleticism MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo has recruited during his tenure in East Lansing.

VOLLEYBALL

Spikers drop out of rankings

As the MSU volleyball team gets ready to start the second half of the Big Ten season, it only needs to look back to last weekend's play for confidence.For the first week in the Big Ten, the Spartans (13-7 overall, 5-5 Big Ten) did not lose a match 3-0.

FOOTBALL

Buckhalter, Glenn worth roster spot; bench struggling Burress

With the Michigan-MSU football game approaching, this fantasy football column is taking a rivalry approach.We will show how many former Wolverines have faltered and how they compare to the Spartans in the pros.Styf barely slipped by last week, with help from Jamal Lewis, for a slight victory over Stevie E., but "E" still has a huge point lead overall.With Priest Holmes and the Kansas City Chiefs, along with the Tennessee Titans and Steve McNair on bye weeks, this week should be less interesting, but Saturday will make up for that.Styf scouts the Spartans and the WolverinesThe late arrival this season has been a gem for the former Wolverines.

ICE HOCKEY

Potter candidate for 2004 U.S. team

The MSU Hockey team, coming off its first series sweep of the year against Western Michigan, will play home-and-home contests with last season's CCHA champion Ferris State (2-4-0 overall, 1-3-0 CCHA) this weekend. Playing at home Friday, the Spartans' game will be televised on the College Sports Television Network at 8:05 p.m. Golden boy Junior forward Ash Goldie dictated the Spartans' success this past weekend.

BASKETBALL

Izzo eager for Magic statue dedication

While the focus of life around MSU's campus this weekend will be focused on the Spartans' football game against Michigan, the MSU basketball team will open its exhibition season against the Harlem Globetrotters.The game will take place at 2:30 p.m.