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Team

BASKETBALL

Izzo calls team 'soft' after game, demands toughness

Chris Mackinder
November 24, 2003

Tom Izzo slammed his right fist into the palm of his left hand. The veins were clearly visible in his forehead and neck as he screamed across the court to any Spartan who would listen. It was a reoccurring scene Friday night in the Spartans' sloppy, 64-52 victory over Bucknell at Breslin Center. Rebounding, a staple in MSU's program during Izzo's tenure, evaporated against the Bison (0-1). The Spartans (1-0) weren't crashing the boards, and when the final buzzer sounded, MSU was slimly the victor in the rebounding category, 42-39. The poor display and representation of Spartan basketball caused Izzo to call this squad the softest team he's had in his nine-year reign as head coach. "This team needs a toughness transfusion," Izzo said.

SPORTS

Steroids are ruining sports; users should be ashamed

I'm blaming Barry Bonds for my inability to log onto ESPN.com and not be pissed off. His sixth National League MVP award notwithstanding - though I could devote an entire newspaper to why I think Bonds should never be mentioned in the same breath as Willie Mays - I'm furious for another reason. Acronyms. Specifically, two of them - "THG" and "BALCO." Until about a month ago, I thought THG was what gave the left-handed cigarette its punch and BALCO was the brave, cartoon sled dog voiced by Michael J.

SPORTS

WEB ONLY: Flagg pleads not guilty

Jon Styf
November 20, 2003

MSU junior bandit Robert Flagg pleaded not guilty to a charge of use of marijuana at his arraignment on Tuesday at 54-B District Court in East Lansing. Flagg was released on $100 bond and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Dec.

FOOTBALL

Strong-legged kicker eyes 'U'

Patrick Walters
November 19, 2003

Junior place-kicker Dave Rayner is enjoying a career season. His point total for kicks is top in the Big Ten, and his foot has put the Spartans' special teams on the national stage.Too soon to think about a replacement?

FOOTBALL

Injuries drag down 'U'

Jon Styf
November 18, 2003

As MSU's season moves downhill with three consecutive losses, injuries continue to plague the team.One of the downfalls of the past week occurred on Thursday, when sophomore safety Eric Smith came down wrong, twisting his knee when defending a pass thrown to senior wide receiver Ziehl Kavanaght.On Saturday, head coach John L.

BASKETBALL

Point guard position poses questions for Izzo's squad

Brian Beute
November 18, 2003

It'll be the question of the season for the Spartans.Well, maybe second to "Can they win a national championship?"Will the point-guard-by-committee approach suffice for the men's basketball team's postseason powerhouse dreams?Juniors Alan Anderson and Chris Hill, senior Rashi Johnson and freshman Brandon Cotton are members of the quarterback committee."We really have three or four guys that can run the point," sophomore center Paul Davis said.

ICE HOCKEY

Vicari shines in net

Paul Day
November 18, 2003

One minute and 33 seconds. That's the time that separated MSU freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari from his second career shutout Saturday night in Oxford, Ohio.

SOCCER

Men's soccer doesn't receive NCAA Tournament bid

The MSU men's soccer team did not receive a phone call from the NCAA championship committee Monday for an invite to the NCAA championship.The Spartans (11-5-2) lost to Penn State during the first round of the Big Ten tournament last Thursday, 2-1.Indiana defeated Penn State to win the Big Ten Tournament Sunday in Bloomington, Ind.