Ohio State might have the most talented hockey team in the CCHA. Most programs would be happy with a pair of first-round NHL draft picks, a three-year starting goalie and three senior defensemen - all of which OSU has.
It has been a long and eventful week leading up to the Spartans' second consecutive NCAA Tournament. On Thursday afternoon, the squad boarded a plane to Boston, Mass. Waiting for the No.
This weekend is all about rebounding for the MSU volleyball team. Following disappointing losses against Indiana and Ohio State a week ago, the Spartans (15-9 overall, 7-7 Big Ten) know they need an extremely strong showing at home this weekend to finish the season strong.
No. 2 Ohio State at Illinois The Buckeyes' offense has been suspect recently, but their sound defense has kept alive the dream of playing in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan.
From tip-off Thursday night things were certainly different for the Spartan men's basketball team.Showing the defensive intensity it lacked in its first exhibition, MSU battled its way to a 56-55 decision over the Nike Elite team at Breslin Center."We just went after them before they went after us," sophomore guard Alan Anderson said.
In front of national media in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, MSU junior quarterback Jeff Smoker spoke publicly about his substance abuse problems for the first time since being indefinitely suspended Oct.
In the words of Amy Allen, it's been a long time coming. Allen, a senior defender on MSU's women's soccer team, has never been to an NCAA Tournament. This morning, however, Allen and the Spartans boarded a bus bound for Ann Arbor and round one of the National Championship tournament after receiving a nomination from the selection committee. Allen said the team went "nuts" upon learning of its selection late Monday night. "We just all had our eyes glued to the screen, and it came on and everyone started screaming and calling everyone on their cell phones," Allen said.
After receiving its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid one year ago, the MSU field hockey team has matched that feat this year.
The MSU men's basketball team heads into its second and final exhibition game looking to establish itself defensively. The Spartans lost 104-85 in their exhibition opener to the Magic Johnson All-Stars on Nov.
Former MSU hockey player Jason Woolley was waived by the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.Sabres spokesman Gregg Huller said Woolley will be sent down to Buffalo's American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester if he's not claimed by another NHL team by Friday.Woolley, a defenseman, had no goals, three assists and 29 penalty minutes in 14 games with the Sabres this season.
It's an awkward time for the MSU football program. On the field, the Spartans (4-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) are attempting to salvage what's left of a dismal season.
On the eve of National Signing Day, the MSU hockey coaching staff expanded its recruiting class by two players. Forward/defenseman Tyler Howells of Eden Prairie, Minn., and defenseman Chris Snavely of Lancaster, Pa., both inked National Letters of Intent with MSU on Wednesday - less than 24 hours after they verbally committed. Forward Tommy Goebel of Parma, Ohio, and goaltender Dominic Vicari of Clinton Township also signed Wednesday.
MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said on National Signing Day on Wednesday that even though he and his assistant coaches only had three open slots for scholarships, the Spartans' 2003-04 recruiting class has been a "treat recruiting season." "There is no question this is one of the best recruiting classes we've had," Izzo said.
MSU's goalie situation is actually clearer than most people thought it would be at this point of the season. Sophomore Matt Migliaccio has out-played freshman Justin Tobe so far, and he seems to have earned the unofficial designation of being the team's No.
MSU basketball head coach Tom Izzo has only three scholarships available for his 2003-04 roster.
Junior outside hitter Sara Villwock, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since the end of September, will be given a medical redshirt for this season. MSU head coach Chuck Erbe said he thought long and hard about the decision, making it within the last week. "She's making good progress, but for her to be back in time to really play a substantiative role for our team - she's not going to be in any position to do that," Erbe said. "She's still not cleared to go full-bore and jump and be in practice.
With plenty of dark clouds looming above the Spartans, a win was just what they needed to help brighten things up around East Lansing. And winning by the score of 56-21 made it that much better. "I think our team feels much better," junior wide receiver Charles Rogers said.
Sophomore center Jim Slater was the meat in a hockey player sandwich Friday night - and his left elbow paid the price. As Slater released a wrist shot in the third period of MSU's 2-1 loss to Niagara, a pair of Purple Eagles smashed him from both sides.
With senior tailback Dawan Moss serving an indefinite suspension, the MSU football team was forced to call on the future of its running attack - and the call was answered. In the Spartans' 56-21 thrashing of Indiana, freshmen tailbacks David Richard and Jaren Hayes showcased their version of "thunder and lightning" as they combined for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
The MSU men's basketball team will open the season next week as one of the top 10 teams in the country. The Associated Press preseason poll, released Monday, has the Spartans ranked No.