SPORTS
World will cry buckets over WNBA
Alas! The 2003 WNBA Draft was canceled Monday, and this just might be a prelude to tough times ahead for the ugly duckling of the sports world.
BASEBALL
Hurler to make debut
Former high school standout Jeremy Dow is slated to make his collegiate baseball debut today when MSU (9-20) hosts Wayne State. The right-hander will take the mound at 3 p.m.
SPORTS
Lugnuts break even
After their first seven games were postponed, the Lansing Lugnuts finally started the season this weekend, compiling a 2-2 record on the road. Lansing evened its record on Sunday by splitting a twinbill with the South Bend Silver Hawks (2-5) in South Bend, Ind. Two runs in the fifth inning was all it took for South Bend to earn a 2-1 win.
FOOTBALL
Linebackers to be more aggressive
The MSU football team hopes a new defensive setup will result in more aggressive and productive linebackers this fall.The new schemes allow them to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.And they're just chomping at the bit to get started."The way the defense is set up now, it allows us to be more free," junior linebacker Ronald Stanley said.
SPORTS
Red Wings will pull out series
The heads of all Red Wings fans are hanging low at the moment and with good reason. This was supposed to be another easy postseason, ending with Lord Stanley taking a tour through downtown Detroit.
SOFTBALL
Spartans split key road series
MSU head softball coach Jacquie Joseph said she wanted to use the team's first Big Ten road contests to see how her team measures up to tougher squads.By splitting a four-game series with Minnesota and Wisconsin, Joseph said her team is still good enough to be mentioned with the top teams in the Big Ten."I felt we should have come out of this weekend 3-1," she said.
ICE HOCKEY
Tobe to train this summer to contend for starting job in fall
Justin Tobe isn't going anywhere.Nor is Matt Migliaccio. And Dominic Vicari will soon enroll at MSU.Three goaltenders.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
Gymnasts place 5th in last meet of season The MSU gymnastics team placed fifth out of six teams at the NCAA Central Regional on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Spartans amassed a total score of 194.575 to finish above Kent State, but behind Alabama, Auburn, Central Michigan and Oklahoma.
SPORTS
Stanton has edge on Dowdell in QB battle
Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Stanton is starting to leave his mark on teammates and, most importantly, MSU football head coach John L.
SPORTS
Sports briefs
Sluggers go on road to take on Hoosiers The MSU baseball team will look to gain some ground in the Big Ten this weekend with four games. The Spartans will face Indiana in a four-game series beginning today at 3 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Hurlers figure to control games
If the MSU softball team expects to continue its hot start, then it needs to be at its best at the plate. The Spartans (24-9, 4-1 Big Ten) face some of the conference's top pitchers when it travels to face Minnesota (26-10, 4-2) and Wisconsin (13-16, 2-4) this weekend.
SPORTS
Team goes nuts waiting on 1st game
Spring fever has hit the Lansing Lugnuts. Of course it doesn't help that it's eight days into the season and the team has yet to play a full game. The squad made it through the first three South Bend batters during its April 3 home opener before driving rain forced fans and players to scurry for cover. Since then, snow, near-freezing weather and poor field conditions have caused the cancellation of seven games - the Lugnuts' entire home-opening stand. Lansing travels to South Bend, Ind., today for a 7:30 p.m.
SPORTS
Tigers are difficult to watch even for faithful
Sigh. After meticulously counting down the moments until Opening Day arrived at Comerica Park, sitting through a 9-19 showing in spring training and returning north for eight miserable losses, I remember now why I was so eager to forget the last Tigers baseball season. Call me crazy (and I'm sure you will), but when Detroit finished 55-106 last year, I really, really thought this year couldn't be any worse. It was the worst season Detroit had since 1996.
FOOTBALL
'U' unseasoned at wideout
Seasons past have produced the likes of Kirk Gibson, Andre Rison, Muhsin Muhammad and Charles Rogers.
FOOTBALL
Catching on
He's No. 1 on MSU's wide receiver depth chart, his coaches love his speed and his teammates are lauding his leadership - but he is yet to catch one pass in a game of college football. After former Spartan standout Charles Rogers broke the MSU record books and entered the NFL Draft, MSU's depleted receiving corps is forced to look for a fresh start.
SPORTS
Gymnasts expect meet to be last of season
When the eyes of the college gymnastics world focus on the NCAA Championships in Lincoln, Neb., in two weeks, head coach Kathie Klages doesn't expect her MSU gymnastics team to be there. Sure, the Spartans have a chance.
BASKETBALL
Gregory takes Dayton head-coaching job
After much speculation, MSU basketball associate head coach Brian Gregory accepted the head-coaching position at Dayton on Wednesday afternoon."I'm honored and excited to be named the head basketball coach at the University of Dayton," Gregory said at a press conference.
ICE HOCKEY
Liles, Fast honored again
MSU (23-14-2) wasn't an elite hockey team this season, but it wasn't for a lack of elite players. Two Spartans - senior defensemen John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast - were named to the JOFA All-American teams announced Wednesday by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Liles made the West First Team, while Fast was named to the West Second Team. Of the 24 players honored Wednesday, only three were on teams that didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament - Liles, Fast and Yale forward Chris Higgins. "In order to have a good individual season, you often need to be on a successful team," Liles said.
SPORTS
Manz, Krzyminski garner team MVP honors
Eight Spartan athletes were honored at the combined awards banquet for the men's and women's cross country and track and field teams this weekend. On the cross country side, sophomore Chris Toloff and junior Michelle Carson were named the teams' most valuable performers, while juniors Andrew Marsh and Sarah Pepera were voted as the most improved runners. For the track and field teams, juniors Steve Manz (throws) and Jamie Krzyminski (distance) were dubbed team MVPs.
BASEBALL
Sluggers swinging for rare road victory against Eagles
"On the Road Again."That is the tune the MSU baseball team is singing after a short week of home games.