Friday, April 19, 2024

Sports

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans face strong CCHA squad Northern

Coming off last weekend’s road series on an Olympic-size ice rink in Alaska, the Spartans will turn around and do it all over again tonight and Saturday at Northern Michigan. But stakes are a little higher this weekend, considering the Wildcats (8-3-1 overall, 6-3-1 CCHA) are ranked eighth in the nation and are a prominent contender for the CCHA crown. No.

VOLLEYBALL

Hartley wins spot on AVCA Mideast Region team

Although her Spartan volleyball career ended Saturday night, senior outside hitter Erin Hartley is still receiving reminders about her great senior campaign. Hartley was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Mideast Region team Wednesday. Hartley is one of 10 Big Ten players on the 12-person roster. By earning a spot on one of the eight regional teams, Hartley, along with the other 95 regional-team members, is eligible for a place on the AVCA All-America team, which will be announced Dec.

SPORTS

Junior College National Champ stepping up for U

At the beginning of the MSU wrestling team’s season, all eyes turned to freshman Nick Simmons, the grappler who never lost in his high school career.But after two non-scoring tournaments and a matchup against Eastern Michigan, the freshman will likely be redshirted, leading the team to rely on another newcomer to collegiate competition - junior Rashad Evans.After redshirting last year, the team has high hopes for Evans who will wrestle this year in the 174-pound division.“Mentally, he’s very tough,” head coach Tom Minkel said.

ICE HOCKEY

Swistak earns Olympic torch nod

Joining the likes of athletic heroes Muhammad Ali, Willie Mays and Steve Young, MSU hockey player Steve Swistak will be one of 11,500 Olympic torchbearers carrying the flame across the country en route to February’s Winter Games in Salt Lake City.Swistak, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, will run with the torch for one-fifth of a mile near his hometown of West Bloomfield on Jan.

BASKETBALL

Ishbia upgraded from walk-on to active

The holidays came a little early for senior guard Mat Ishbia this year.The 5-foot-10, 175-pound walk-on’s status shifted just before the season when men’s head basketball coach Tom Izzo gave him a scholarship.Ishbia said he didn’t see it coming.“It was a great honor,” Ishbia said.

ICE HOCKEY

Slater to play on U.S. Junior team

MSU freshman center Jim Slater, a Lapeer native, will play for the United States at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in the Czech Republic later this month. Consequently, MSU’s scoring leader will miss the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec.

FOOTBALL

Recruits hyped about bowl, watch postseason practice

A trip to the Dec. 31 Silicon Valley Football Classic in San Jose, Calif., may cost MSU hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the return on that investment could be the signing of some highly sought after recruits. Recruits are allowed to watch the team’s practice for a bowl game and see the team play on national TV, said Bill Kurelic, a recruiting expert from Midwest Recruiting.

BASKETBALL

Saving the Streak

Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games played are recognized as two of the most famous streaks in all of sports.

FOOTBALL

Bowl packages available now

MSU fans can pick from full and land-only four-night packages for the Dec. 31 matchup with No. 19 Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic. Both packages, through the Alumni Association’s Official MSU Bowl Tour, provide lodging from Dec.

SPORTS

Spartans could improve to 7-1 with win today

The MSU women’s basketball team hits Breslin Center floor for the first time in more than two weeks tonight.After winning four of five games on the road, the Spartans (6-1) look to continue their early season success against Oakland (2-2) at 7 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Fiercest Foe

MSU has a lot in common with No. 7 Arizona, the team that poses the most imminent threat to ending the Spartans’ record home winning streak.The game, at 2 p.m.