Oxford, Ohio – Even with the stakes raised for the playoffs, the No. 15 MSU hockey team still had plenty to play for on Saturday night. The Spartans needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive in the best-of-three series with Miami (Ohio) in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament.
Only one thing will be on the minds of the Spartans on Sunday, and it won’t have anything to do with payback or seeds.
Scoring nine straight points, Austin Thornton’s three consecutive 3-pointers sparked a 26-5 MSU run that changed the complexion of the game and led to the Spartans’ 65-52 win over the Badgers.
Oxford, Ohio – It could have been the physical dominance at both ends of the ice. It could have been the four goals in the second period that effectively ended sophomore goalie Will Yanakeff’s night.
Oxford, Ohio – From the first day of his hire in March, Tom Anastos has put a magnifying glass on MSU’s stagnant playoff record and made it the goal of the team to turn the corner by securing the program’s first playoff win since 2008. The goal will have to be put on hold for another night as the No. 5-seed Spartans couldn’t stave off the potent No. 4-seed Miami (Ohio) scoring attack led by forward Jimmy Mullin to fall, 6-0, in the first game of the series in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford, Ohio.
Not only was Trice able to play Friday in MSU’s 92-75 win over Iowa, he logged 24 minutes — the second most he’s played all season — and knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to nine points.
Indianapolis — Adreian Payne had a focus he’s never had before during the No. 8 men’s basketball team’s 92-75 win against Iowa.
_Indianapolis —_ It wasn’t quite the 34-point beat down that the No. 8 MSU men’s basketball team gave Iowa when the Hawkeyes came to Breslin Center Jan. 10, but the 92-75 win in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament gave the Spartans plenty to be happy about.
After the MSU men’s basketball team lost its final two games of the regular season, the Spartans felt like they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers. MSU (24-7 overall, 13-5 Big Ten) could have won an outright Big Ten Championship with a win against either Indiana or Ohio State last week.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Sunday was destined to be a Hollywood-esque sendoff for forward Draymond Green, and the stage had been set perfectly. Green and his fellow seniors were supposed to lead the No.
After Saturday’s strong showing in the Big Ten Championships — in which five MSU wrestlers secured spots in the NCAA tournament — only junior 149-pounder Dan Osterman was left competing for a tournament berth.
Midway through the Big Ten Championships hosted in West Lafayette, Ind., five Spartan wrestlers already have punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament, while one more still is scrapping to make it in.
Indianapolis – As Kiana Johnson walked toward the bench, she pulled her headband down to cover her eyes. At some point, you’ve just seen enough.
Indianapolis – Walking off the court after being bounced by Purdue in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, the minds of Lykendra Johnson and players on the MSU women’s basketball team were filled with uncertainty. Following MSU’s 74-63 loss to the Boilermakers on Friday, questions surrounded the team’s candidacy for a bid in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Indianapolis – With each shot that crossed the threshold of the rim by Purdue guard Brittany Rayburn, the MSU women’s basketball team gradually watched its Big Ten Tournament chances fade away.
Indianapolis — The MSU women’s basketball team (20-11 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) fell to Purdue (22-8, 11-5) 73-64 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
With senior night winding down, as it became clear that MSU was going to come out on top, senior Jackie Berg crouched beside the floor, head bowed, simply overwhelmed by the moment.
Indianapolis – As she sat at her locker, thinking about the upcoming opportunity to face Purdue, freshman guard Kiana Johnson’s face couldn’t help but light up. The Spartans (20-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) will take on No.
One down, three to go. The MSU women’s basketball team (20-10 overall, 11-5 Big Ten) came into the Big Ten Tournament determined to make history as the first team to win four games in four days to win the title. If Thursday’s opening round game against Indiana (6-24 overall, 1-15) is any indication, it’s clear the Spartans mean business.
Indianapolis – With the benefit of a 97-68 rout against No. 11 seeded Indiana, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant had the opportunity to spread out some minutes Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.