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MSU overcomes long odds to reach Detroit
This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. At least, that’s what they said. And by “they,” I mean everyone.
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Team has lots to look forward to next season
As the buzzer sounded to end the MSU women’s basketball team’s season Saturday night, the players hung their heads.
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Rally to be held for team at Breslin
The university announced plans to hold a welcome back rally for the men’s basketball team tonight at Breslin Center following the team’s 64-52 win over Louisville in the Elite Eight in Indianapolis.
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Destined 4 Detroit
At the conclusion of a practice in late February, Tom Izzo instructed his MSU men’s basketball team to walk up the arena steps from the Breslin Center floor and meet him on the concourse. Once the Spartans were there, the MSU head coach told his team to look outside, where the February sun had not yet faded at the 5 o’clock hour.
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MSU's run ended with disappointing 69-68 loss to Iowa State
Berkeley, Calif. — With one shot, MSU’s glass slipper was shattered. Iowa State junior guard Alison Lacey hit a 3-pointer in the final minute of play to send the Spartans packing with a 69-68 loss in a Berkeley Regional semifinal Saturday night.
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Despite loss, team shouldn't hang their heads
Berkeley, Calif. — Months ago, the MSU women’s basketball team gathered in a team meeting and coined a motto. This was to be, quite literally, a mission statement.
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Spartans lose late lead, fall 69-68
Berkeley, Calif. — A last-second shot attempt didn’t fall for the MSU women’s basketball team, who dropped its Sweet 16 game to Iowa State, 69-68.
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Louisville making return trip to Elite Eight
Indianapolis — Last season, Rick Pitino’s Louisville basketball team lost in the Elite Eight. This season, the Cardinals are back.
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Walton, Spartans looking to reach Final Four
Indianapolis — With the biggest game of his career one day ahead of him, Travis Walton said basketball takes priority over everything else. Even sleeping.
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Morgan's face symbolizes tough game
Indianapolis — MSU junior forward Raymar Morgan wasn’t the player of the game. But he certainly looked the part. Morgan’s face, marred by a swollen and crooked nose, symbolized a basketball game that felt more like a fight between two heavyweight boxers.
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How sweet it is: MSU advances to Elite Eight with 67-62 win
Indianapolis — All season long, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has used the word “fragile” to describe his team. Kalin Lucas said its time to remove that label. After the sophomore guard’s gritty performance Friday against Kansas, Izzo might not have a choice. Lucas scored seven points during the last minute, none more important than his jumper with 48.1 seconds that broke a 60-60 tie and brought MSU within a game of the Final Four.
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MSU stays together in victory
Indianapolis — Any win in the NCAA Tournament is a big one, but it’s how the MSU men’s basketball team won against Kansas on Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium that impressed head coach Tom Izzo the most.
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Calm halftime spurs second half comeback
Indianapolis — Ten first half turnovers, a rebounding disadvantage and some wide-open missed shots. It sounds like a perfect recipe for a fiery halftime speech by MSU head coach Tom Izzo — or, even worse, senior guard Travis Walton.
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Spartans not ready to come home yet
Berkeley, Calif. — Though it was more than 2,000 miles from East Lansing, the MSU women’s basketball team spent much of its time Friday morning talking to the press about what happened back in Michigan.
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Iowa State could be without key player
Berkeley, Calif. — Typically, the tallest person — by far — for the Iowa State women’s basketball team often on the floor is 6-foot-4 starting forward Nicky Wieben. But as of Friday, that may not even be the case.
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Team prepares for Sweet 16, focuses on defense
The MSU women’s basketball team got one last practice in Wednesday before it left for Berkeley, Calif., to meet Iowa State in the Sweet 16 on Saturday. The Cyclones, who are 26-8 on the season and finished in third place in the Big 12 with an 11-5 conference record, are very guard-oriented and remind the Spartans a lot of Middle Tennessee State, the team MSU beat in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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Behind the scenes
Eight seasons after the MSU men’s basketball team won the national championship, the days of preparation leading up to the 2000 title game are still firmly etched in Brian Gregory’s mind.
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Gray has different impact than expected for Spartans
During his career with the MSU men’s basketball team, senior forward Marquise Gray has learned a thing or two about dealing with criticism. A superstar caliber athlete coming out of Flint Beecher High, Gray came to MSU with the world on a string. Jaw-dropping athleticism, brute strength, a soft touch around the basket — Gray had it all.
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Dayton coach gives thoughts on Kansas
Former MSU associate coach Brian Gregory and his Dayton Flyers pulled an upset over six-seeded West Virginia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, but the No. 11 seed lost 60-43 to Kansas in the second round.
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Aldrich, Collins key for Jayhawks offense; Kansas trying for chance at back-to-back titles
Bill Self hasn’t been around a lot of big men during his 16 years coaching NCAA men’s basketball. That might mean the praise he gave Cole Aldrich — when the Kansas coach said he can’t compare Aldrich to anyone — isn’t too impressive.