FOOTBALL
Rogers ready to be Spartans leading man
During the winter, the MSU football team’s No. 1 offensive weapon went from a 6-foot-1, 249-pound bulldozer, to a 6-4, 200-pound game-breaker.
BASKETBALL
Pull of pro ball causes coaches to rethink recruiting
The Illinois men’s basketball program and its fans knew it would happen sooner or later. Illini guard Frank Williams would leave early for the NBA - it was just a matter of when.
SOFTBALL
Spartans need extra innings to down Grizzlies
After three hours of play and numerous squandered opportunities, the MSU softball game was decided by one errant pitch.Scheduled for seven innings, the Spartans found themselves in a 10th-inning pitchers’ duel.
BASEBALL
Sluggers manager cancels nonconference home game
The MSU baseball team’s game against Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne was canceled Wednesday.Weather was the cause of cancellation, but no rain fell on Wednesday to affect the 3 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Spartans host 2 with Oakland, schedule makeup for Thursday
The MSU softball team will temporarily switch its focus from Eastern Michigan to Oakland. Tuesday’s game against Eastern (8-13, 3-3 Mid-American) was rescheduled for 4 p.m.
BASKETBALL
Young and restless
When Kelvin Torbert, Alan Anderson and Chris Hill became MSU’s 2001 recruiting class, another Big Ten title and another trip deep into the NCAA Tournament seemed within reach, if not certain. Sure, the Spartans would lose five seniors, but the trio of recruits would help ease the blow. Torbert, an electrifying scorer, was the 2001 Sporting News Player of the Year, Michigan’s Mr. Basketball and Flint’s second all-time leading scorer - behind ex-Spartan Charlie Bell - with his 1,978 career points at Flint Northwestern High. Anderson, a silky and versatile slasher, rated the No.
ICE HOCKEY
Goaltender ready to man the pipes
If junior goaltender Ryan Miller leaves school early - and that’s still an “if” at this point - Spartan fans probably will be a little worried about MSU’s last line of defense next season.After all, Miller has been the epitome of excellence and durability in his three-year MSU career.
BASEBALL
Sluggers look for win out of conference
After a weekend split in their Big Ten opening series, the Spartans are gearing up for Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne today at Kobs Field. The Spartans (17-5 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) take the field at 3 p.m.
BASKETBALL
Mid-major teams hang together, make impact
A Saluki is defined as an ancient breed of dog with a keen sense of vision used in hunting. A Southern Illinois Saluki is an ancient breed of basketball player, using its maturity and experience in the NCAA Tournament to knock off some of the biggest names in college coaching. The sixth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders and head coach Bobby Knight fell prey to the mighty Salukis in the first round of the tournament.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers get verbal commitment
The voice mail greeting on hockey recruit David Booth’s cell phone goes something like this: “Hey, what’s up?
SOFTBALL
Spartans hope to rebound after poor home opener
After opening the Big Ten season 1-3 at home, the MSU softball team will play three nonconference games this week to regroup.The Spartans (12-21 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) host Eastern Michigan (8-13, 3-3 Mid-American) 4 p.m.
BASKETBALL
Death of the 4-year superstar
Inside his office in the new Berkowitz Basketball Complex, MSU men’s basketball associate head coach Brian Gregory sat and listened to my questions about the state of college basketball. “Can you think of any recent superstar-type players who turned down the NBA and came back for their senior year?” I asked. “Here at Michigan State you have to look at Mateen (Cleaves) and Morris Peterson, because those two guys had the opportunity to leave early,” Gregory said.
BASKETBALL
Indiana represents Big Ten pride, but Terrapins will be champions
I have to admit, I am an Indiana Hoosier Basketball fan. For my money, it doesn’t get any better when Tom Coverdale hits a triple from the top of the arc and limps, on his bum ankle, to the other end of the court to play defense.
BASEBALL
Spartans split Big Ten opening series
After dropping its Big Ten opener, the MSU baseball team used the long ball to split a four-game series with Minnesota at Kobs Field this weekend.The Spartans (17-5 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) hit nine home runs in Saturday’s tripleheader to win two games.
SPORTS
U professor studies coaches
Tom Izzo has it. Ron Mason had it. Bobby Williams is developing it.It, is something coaches call the ability to positively affect the learning ability and performance of their athletes.Deb Feltz, director of MSU’ Department of Kinesiology, has been examining this philosophy not only on the athletic field, but also in the classroom.However, the idea of coaching efficacy, or coaching competence, was not the first thing that got her interested in this field of research.“My intents started with nonathletes attempting physical activities for the first time,” Feltz said.“I was interested in fear-invoking activities - like diving.”Feltz decided to take the role of confidence in a different direction.She looked at how teachers used their efficacy to motivate their students.
BASEBALL
Baseball team deserves more
This has not been the ideal March for MSU sports fans. After three consecutive Final Fours, you thought the men’s basketball team could pull it together and make another run at a title, but they bowed out in the first round. Then, the Spartan hockey team followed suit with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Colorado College in the NCAA Tournament ending the career of legendary coach Ron Mason. Then the women’s basketball team created some excitement on campus, advancing deep into the 2002 Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
SOFTBALL
Spartans go 3-1 in first Big Ten weekend
The MSU softball team battled bad weather and unsteady play to start the Big Ten season.MSU (12-21 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) dropped two games to No.
ICE HOCKEY
Freshman plans to stay with Spartans
When longtime MSU head coach Ron Mason announced that the recently concluded season was going to be his last behind the bench, freshman center Jim Slater started considering options.
BASEBALL
Sluggers hope strong start continues
Off to its best start in years, the MSU baseball team prepares for its opening series in Big Ten play this weekend. The Spartans (15-3) host Minnesota (8-12) in a four-game series this weekend starting with a 2 p.m.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
Junior guard named to WNIT All-Tournament Team Junior guard Vnemina Reese was named to the 2002 Women’s National Invitation Tournament All-Tournament Team on Thursday. Reese, who graduates in May, will not use her final year of eligibility next season. “I’m surprised,” she said.