As the MSU volleyball team closes its season on the road at Northwestern and No. 18 Illinois, they will focus on getting healthy and playing well in preparation for the NCAA Tournament."I think that win (over Iowa) pretty much puts us in the NCAA Tournament, especially with the schedule that we've played," head coach Chuck Erbe said.
Every team has injuries, but for the MSU volleyball team, most have come over the past two weeks. Senior setter Nikki Colson, senior middle Jenny Rood, junior outside hitter Sara Villwock and sophomore middle Brooke Langston have all sat out because of injuries. "It's hard when you come into practice and your starting setter is sitting out, your starting M1 (middle) is not dressed for practice and your L2 (leftside hitter) is wearing a boot," head coach Chuck Erbe said. Colson has had tendinitis in both knees and shin splints in one leg, but the problems have gotten worse over the past two weeks. Rood has been dealing with shin-splint problems as well, but it has become a big problem for her when she jumps and lands.
Ending the season with eight wins, head coach John L. Smith finished with the most wins a first-season MSU football coach.
And so it begins. After being discussed, criticized and examined to near exhaustion, the murderous nonconference schedule facing the No.
A weekend split nearly guarantees the MSU volleyball team a spot in this year's NCAA Tournament. Similar to basketball, 20 wins is the mark most teams shoot for to "lock up" an NCAA Tournament bid.
MSU women's basketball coach Joanne P. McCallie would probably agree that the best way to start a season is with two victories over powerful teams, a tournament championship and a senior clutching tournament MVP honors. During the weekend, MSU hosted the Spartan Classic Tournament, defeating Davidson College, 74-68, on Saturday, then winning the championship game on Sunday against Temple, 78-40.
Tom Izzo slammed his right fist into the palm of his left hand. The veins were clearly visible in his forehead and neck as he screamed across the court to any Spartan who would listen. It was a reoccurring scene Friday night in the Spartans' sloppy, 64-52 victory over Bucknell at Breslin Center. Rebounding, a staple in MSU's program during Izzo's tenure, evaporated against the Bison (0-1). The Spartans (1-0) weren't crashing the boards, and when the final buzzer sounded, MSU was slimly the victor in the rebounding category, 42-39. The poor display and representation of Spartan basketball caused Izzo to call this squad the softest team he's had in his nine-year reign as head coach. "This team needs a toughness transfusion," Izzo said.
They patiently waited for him to finish the celebration.One last time cheering in the corner with the students, singing the fight song with the band.
I'm blaming Barry Bonds for my inability to log onto ESPN.com and not be pissed off. His sixth National League MVP award notwithstanding - though I could devote an entire newspaper to why I think Bonds should never be mentioned in the same breath as Willie Mays - I'm furious for another reason. Acronyms. Specifically, two of them - "THG" and "BALCO." Until about a month ago, I thought THG was what gave the left-handed cigarette its punch and BALCO was the brave, cartoon sled dog voiced by Michael J.
MSU's seniors went out with a bang in their final home game. Led by quarterback Jeff Smoker and defensive end Greg Taplin, the Spartans (8-4 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) beat Penn State (3-9, 1-7) Saturday, 41-10, finishing the season with their best record since 1999 and snapping a three-game losing streak.
In his third season, MSU junior forward Mike Lalonde finally pulled the rabbit from his hat. Lalonde was awarded the game's No.
As the game clock wound down at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, MSU players added the final chapter to what has become a storybook season.
Once again, the CCHA was outplayed by the CHA.The No. 14 MSU hockey team (7-5-1 overall, 6-3-1 CCHA) lost to Findlay earlier this year, 4-3.
It's a big weekend for the MSU volleyball team - in more ways than one.The Spartans (18-8 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) not only play Minnesota and Iowa this weekend, but have parents' night and the honoring of former Spartan Erin Hartley on Friday and senior night on Saturday.
MSU junior bandit Robert Flagg pleaded not guilty to a charge of use of marijuana at his arraignment on Tuesday at 54-B District Court in East Lansing. Flagg was released on $100 bond and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Dec.
The Great North continues to be kind to the MSU football team.Tom Kaczmarek, a 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound defensive lineman from London, Ontario's Catholic Central High School, gave an oral commitment to the Spartans' football program last weekend.
The No. 14 MSU hockey team is tired.That's not a knock, but an expectation from a roster full of student-athletes.
Junior place-kicker Dave Rayner is enjoying a career season. His point total for kicks is top in the Big Ten, and his foot has put the Spartans' special teams on the national stage.Too soon to think about a replacement?
Welcome to the home stretch. It's week 12 - time to make the final push to reach the playoffs.
The MSU women's basketball team announced that game times are pushed back for Saturday's Dean Trailways of Michigan Spartan Classic due to the home football game's noon start.The season opener against Davidson will start at 4:30 p.m.