ICE HOCKEY
Still skidding
After a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to No. 2 Wisconsin on Friday night, the No. 18 MSU hockey team bounced back to tie No.
SPORTS
Ford Field has lacked wins, let it lack fans
What do the Red Wings and Pistons have in common, besides the fact that they both actually win? Your answer: Great ownership, great coaches, a top-notch front office staff, and general managers that fans can trust to make the right decisions. The polar opposite of these characteristics lies in the pathetic Detroit Lions, whom I find myself rooting against every week because sadly that might be the only way that changes (for the better) are made. Instead of your Mike Illitches and your Bill Davidsons, the Lions are owned by a man, William Clay Ford, whose family name has been famed in the auto industry.
SPORTS
Monday musings
• Pro golfer Fred Funk got tons of publicity this weekend for wearing a pink flowered skirt for the third hole of the Skins Game, his penalty for being outdriven by Annika Sorenstam. Meanwhile, John Daly is upset about the lack of coverage he got for appearing at his local putt-putt golf course wearing nothing but a thong. • The Pistons are continuing their strong start, knocking off Milwaukee on Saturday to improve to an NBA-best 10-2. How good are things going for the 'Stones?
BASKETBALL
MSU's trip to Hawaii was memorable, but Spartans know it's just the start
Eight schools, three days and unlimited college basketball — now that's paradise. This year's EA Sports Maui Invitational was pegged as the best ever, with four schools in the preseason Top 10.
SPORTS
MSU struggles in Paradise Jam
MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie knows her No. 9-ranked Spartans still have a lot to prove after dropping two of three games in the Paradise Jam tournament in the Virgin Islands during Thanksgiving weekend. "We're just getting started," McCallie said in a written statement.
VOLLEYBALL
Losses end Spartans' season
After losing their final match on Saturday, MSU's volleyball players wiped the tears from their eyes and began to form a circle.
SPORTS
Huynh-Ba, Kirkaldy named All-Americans
MSU senior field hockey forward Michelle Huynh-Ba has been named a first-team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
SPORTS
Season ends for MSU this weekend
Hanging from the rafters above the wooden floors of Jension Field House are five banners. The one in the middle is for a 1996 NCAA national semifinal appearance. It's been almost a decade since the MSU volleyball team celebrated a conference championship, and this year won't be any different.
SPORTS
Series gives Howells a blast from the past
When MSU junior defenseman Tyler Howells was growing up, he followed Minnesota and Wisconsin's hockey teams and dreamed of playing in their conference, the WCHA. This weekend he will be playing against them. The No.
SPORTS
Spartans head to Virgin Islands
Calling the women's basketball team's next stretch of games "a step up" is an understatement. After relatively easy victories against UC Santa Barbara and Western Carolina, the No.
SPORTS
Let's not engrave the Pistons' trophy yet
Every year in the NBA, there's a team that sprints from the starting line with its engine pumping on all cylinders. Two years ago it was the Lakers, last year it was the Suns, and this year it's the Detroit Pistons, who are playing better than anyone had any right to expect. So just how good are these Pistons?
FOOTBALL
MSU had flashes, but at wrong times
The Spartans' offense could only make up for a lackluster defense and special teams for so long this season, as MSU watched a 4-0 start evaporate into a 5-6 final record.
SPORTS
Shimek nabs Big Ten Player of Week award
MSU senior forward Liz Shimek earned the second Big Ten Player of the Week honors of her career for her performance last weekend. On Friday, Shimek set a career high for points with 26 and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Spartans to a 86-55 victory over UC Santa Barbara. Shimek was not done there, though, as she came back on Sunday and set a new career high for points by dropping 28 on Western Carolina, pacing the Spartans to a 84-61 victory.
FOOTBALL
Smith: 'We're making progress'
Following Saturday's 31-22 loss against Penn State, the Spartans trotted off the field while watching the Nittany Lions celebrate a Big Ten championship on the turf of Spartan Stadium. After a perfect 4-0 start slipped away, the Spartans finished at a 5-6 mark — giving them a sub-.500 record and bowl absence for the second consecutive season. Still, MSU head coach John L.
ICE HOCKEY
Melting under pressure
With less than a minute remaining, MSU scores a tie-breaking goal. Fans cheer and players celebrate. But wait — the referees have to review the play. Munn Ice Arena goes dead silent. The ref turns around and gives a signal.
SPORTS
Swimming loses to U-M over weekend
The MSU men's swimming and diving team was defeated by No. 4 Michigan Friday night in Ann Arbor, 152-83.
SPORTS
Men's basketball season outlook
Coming off a surprise trip to the Final Four, the MSU men's basketball team returns four of its starting five this season.
SPORTS
Monday Musings
• Federal prosecutors want access to hundreds of urine samples of Major League Baseball players seized in 2003 as part of the BALCO steroid scandal investigation. This is the most demand we've seen for urine since R.
FOOTBALL
For Penn State, a perfect ending
After the final seconds ticked away in Saturday's contest at Spartan Stadium, Penn State's players summed up years of commitment and determination by euphorically running over to the numerous fans that traveled to watch them clinch a Big Ten Championship and BCS bowl bid. "Guys were just celebrating, carrying the Big Ten Championship thing around," Nittany Lions quarterback Michael Robinson said.
SPORTS
Women's basketball season outlook
Coach P's squad made a memorable run to the national championship game last year, falling just one win short of the crown.