SPORTS
Gymnast already a star in freshman campaign
Full of youth and exuberance, freshman gymnast Sarah Alexander came to MSU wanting to compete as hard as she could.
BASKETBALL
Brown scores 23 points in high school all-star game
While most people were likely observing high school basketball phenom LeBron James at the McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game on Wednesday in Cleveland, some others were staring fixedly at two MSU recruits. Guards Brandon Cotton and Shannon Brown showed off their skills at the contest. Troy Jackson, Brown's coach at Proviso East High in Illinois, said Brown was impressive. "Shannon played real well, like I expected him to," Jackson said.
SPORTS
Spartans have wealth of returning talent
Despite losing the team's leading scorer to graduation, the MSU women's basketball team has a bright future. Sunday's 50-47 loss to Texas Christian in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament brought the season to an abrupt end.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
Spartans to speak to children on campus About 1,000 Lansing-area elementary students will be on hand for the National Student-Athlete Day Rally today at Jenison Field House. The event recognizes the work of elementary students in the Young Spartan Program.
ICE HOCKEY
Comley expands 'U' offense, expects big season from recruits
For the last several years, the MSU hockey program has been characterized by miserly defense and sturdy goaltending. The Spartans routinely won games by modest scores of 2-0 and 3-1.
SOCCER
Soccer reloads
The men's soccer team replenished its roster by signing six recruits, head coach Joe Baum announced Wednesday.Baum inked two goalkeepers, a midfielder, a defender and two athletes who can play midfield or defense next year.
BASKETBALL
Anderson ignites Spartan offense
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.
FOOTBALL
Dortch to battle for top running back spot
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Comley says Renfrew will fill need for full-time goalie coach
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.
BASKETBALL
Lorbek leading balanced attack
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.
SPORTS
Bromfield shows leadership, skills in career-ending loss
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.
BASKETBALL
Roberson has unimpressive performance
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.
FOOTBALL
Spartan depth chart
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Assistant coach McAuliffe not retained by Comley
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.
SPORTS
Lightning holds registration
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.
SPORTS
Freshmen come up big in blowout
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.
ICE HOCKEY
System could use change
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans miss NCAA Tournament
Sixteen hockey teams flashed across the screen on the NCAA Hockey Tournament Selection Show on Sunday evening.
SPORTS
Defense clamps down on Florida, propels Spartans to 22-point win, Sweet 16
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.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
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.