A month ago, the Spartans were 14-11 and the NCAA Tournament was seemingly wishful thinking.Since, the Spartans (21-12) have won seven out of eight games propelling them into the Sweet 16.
Tyrell Dortch has endured much pain and suffering, but the struggles have also simultaneously rekindled his love for football. "I appreciate everything about football now," the junior running back said.
Troy Ferguson's mind-set is shifting from body checks to books. Ferguson played his final hockey game for MSU in a 7-5 loss to Northern Michigan on Thursday.
Freshman forward Erazem Lorbek can now make three additions to his résumé - Buffalo tamer, Gator slayer and blissfully aloof hero of MSU's first two NCAA Tournament games. The soft-spoken Ljubljana, Slovenia, native has quietly helped MSU past No.
Storrs, Conn. - Every senior wants to earn a victory in the last game of their career. And even though the Spartans lost 50-47 to Texas Christian in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Syreeta Bromfield walked away with her head up.Bromfield went out with a roar during her final game in green and white, nabbing game-highs with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
Tampa, Fla. - Freshman guard Anthony Roberson didn't picture it this way. The Saginaw native chose Florida over MSU, and before Sunday, it was hard for anyone to question his decision. The Gators (25-8) were ranked as high as No.
2003 spring practice football roster.Starters are bolded.Offense:Defense:Specialists:QBSTUDPKDamon Dowdell (6-1, 225, Jr.) orGreg Taplin (6-5, 257, Sr.)Dave Rayner (6-2, 208, Jr.)Drew Stanton (6-3, 225, R-Fr.)Clifton Ryan (6-2, 281, R-Fr.)Bobby Belmonte (5-9, 167, So.)Jeff Smoker (6-3, 215, Sr.)Alphonso Townsend (6-5, 295, Jr.) Aaron Alexander (6-5, 196, So.)Brian Davies (6-5, 257, Jr.) RBDTPJaren Hayes (5-9, 178, So.) orBrandon McKinney (6-3, 312, Jr.)Jason Daily (6-2, 179, Sr.)Tyrell Dortch (5-10, 209, Jr.)Greg Yeaster (6-1, 265, Jr.)Brandon Fields (6-5, 216, R-Fr.)Jerramy Scott (5-10, 185, R-Fr.)DT Kevin Vickerson (6-5, 287, Jr.)Anthony Belasco (5-9, 196, R-Fr.)Jason Teague (5-9, 185, So.)Matthias Askew (6-6, 292, Jr.) WRRUSHSN(SLOT) Agim Shabaj (5-10, 188, So.)Clifford Dukes (6-3, 266, Jr.)Brian Bury (6-0, 255, R-Fr.)Paul Cummings (6-1, 188, Jr.)Luc Mullinder (6-4, 291, Sr.)Andrew Petterson (6-0, 200, Jr.)Charles Barber (6-0, 165, Jr.)David Herron Jr.
Dave McAuliffe finished his 11th season as an MSU assistant hockey coach Thursday. Soon afterward, he found out he won't be around for a 12th year.Head coach Rick Comley decided against renewing McAuliffe's contract for next season.
Workouts have begun for the Lansing Lightning semi-pro football team. Any interested participants should apply at the Baseball Academy of Mid-Michigan, 5849 Enterprise Drive in Lansing. Practices are held from 8-10 p.m.
Tampa, Fla. - If the No. 7 seeded MSU's men's basketball team belongs to the sophomores, the freshmen are leasing it out for the NCAA Tournament. For the second straight game, the Spartan (21-12) freshmen have factored heavily into MSU's resurgence as postseason performers. Forward Erazem Lorbek, center Paul Davis and guard Maurice Ager combined for 36 points, 13 rebounds and 71 minutes Sunday in MSU's 68-46 manipulation of second-seeded Florida.
John Markell's team had just been smacked around Joe Louis Arena by Northern Michigan. Dutifully, the Ohio State head coach withstood a press conference during which he had to explain why his players seemed devoid of urgency in their 4-1 loss to the Wildcats in the CCHA Super Six consolation game. As would be expected, once the reporters' questions ceased, Markell made a beeline out of the Joe's makeshift interview room.
Sixteen hockey teams flashed across the screen on the NCAA Hockey Tournament Selection Show on Sunday evening.
Tampa, Fla. - It was a rematch of the 2000 NCAA National Championship game, and the Spartans wanted to follow the same script. MSU did just that Sunday night with a 68-46 mauling of the second-seeded Gators.
Speed of running backs surprises head coach MSU football head coach John L. Smith held his first spring practice Saturday, which gave him a chance to assess his personnel. "We're going to be fine along the offensive line," Smith said in a written statement.
Storrs, Conn. - The MSU women's basketball team made it clear it wasn't going home without putting up a fight. The Spartans (17-12) tallied 11 points in the game's final 1:22 - just one less than their entire first-half total - to pull within one before falling to Texas Christian, 50-47, in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament on Sunday. "I'm proud of our fight and it's too bad we're not moving on," MSU head coach Joanne P.
Tampa, Fla. - Florida was in need of Gator aid Sunday evening to quench its thirst for a trip to the Sweet 16.But the Gators came up dry even though the No.
Tampa, Fla. - It lacked the last-minute stamp of intensity that has been showcased so many times this NCAA Tournament, but they'll take it anyway. No.
Aloysius Anagonye knows this is his last hurrah. The senior forward, better known as "Big Al," is heading into the NCAA Tournament with a dark reality - his basketball career may soon be over. "It does hit home," he said.
The MSU women's basketball team might be headed into unfamiliar territory this weekend, but for head coach Joanne P.
Tampa, Fla. - It took the Spartans five months, but they finally granted their head coach his preseason wish Friday evening. In October, MSU head coach Tom Izzo preached that, while he wanted to continue reeking havoc on defense, he wanted to be a more offensive-minded team. MSU did just that with a 79-64 win over Colorado in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the St.