BASKETBALL
Fiercest Foe
MSU has a lot in common with No. 7 Arizona, the team that poses the most imminent threat to ending the Spartans’ record home winning streak.The game, at 2 p.m.
SPORTS
Young Spartan squad surprises coaches, wins 2 close games
With fewer than 12 seconds left and a one-point differential between the two opposing teams, sophomore forward Julie Pagel stepped to the free-throw line. It’s a setup Pagel is familiar with, after seeing it in the last two MSU women’s basketball games. In the first instance, Wednesday against Detroit, her two free throws gave MSU the 62-61 win. In the second, Sunday against Marquette, she didn’t win the game for the Spartans, missing both shots, but Pagel’s free throws set up a situation that ultimately gave the team a cushion point in its 65-63 win. “I wish I could have made them but, then again, that miss led to (junior center Jennifer Callier’s) O-board so I can’t take anything away,” she said.
BASKETBALL
Coach Mahan lands 5 recruits for 2002, bulks up baseball roster with pitchers
The MSU baseball team signed five recruits for 2002, coach Ted Mahan announced Friday.“The five early signees are all good students along with being outstanding baseball players,” Mahan said in a released statement.
VOLLEYBALL
Team looks ahead
Madison, Wis. - The concept seems to be pretty cut and dry in an NCAA Tournament game - either win and keep playing or pack your bags. But for the Spartan volleyball team, things aren’t quite as simple. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong in a 3-0 loss to the No.
SPORTS
Who rocked, blew in 2001
So this was 2001, huh? With only one more week of classes and less than a month to 2002, it’s time to remember the highs and lows of MSU athletics this past year. Topping this year’s chart with gold stars: Ryan Miller - Because the junior goaltender won the second Hobey Baker award in MSU history, following in the footsteps of his cousin Kip Miller.
SPORTS
Spartans ground Golden Eagles
Grand Rapids - For the second game in a row, the MSU women’s basketball team found itself at the foul line with little time left on the clock and a basket needed. And once again, the team pulled out a win as the Spartans topped Marquette 65-63 on Sunday at the Women’s College Basketball Showcase at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The Spartans kept the game close, putting pressure on the Golden Eagle offense. As a result, MSU held Marquette’s leading scorers, guard Kristi Johnson and forward Rachel Klug, to two combined points in the first half. “They’re really good post players and I’m not going to take anything away from them,” sophomore forward Julie Pagel said. Guard Kelly Schwerman kept the Golden Eagles in the game, posting seven points in the half, including a three-point shot with a foul that put the Golden Eagles ahead by three with fewer than five minutes left in the half. MSU junior forward Syreeta Bromfield spread 14 points over the half, leading the Spartans and freshman guard Kristin Haynie provided two five-point bursts in the half, leading to a 29-27 Spartan lead at the half. “I’m kind of like a leader on the team,” said Bromfield, who finished with a game-high 26 points.
FOOTBALL
Spartans finally dominate
So much for the notion that an 11 a.m. kickoff would lead to sluggish results. In fact, MSU’s players were so fired up in pregame warmups against Missouri on Saturday that they had to be calmed down by the coaching staff. Nobody wanted to see any more injuries to end this erratic regular season.
ICE HOCKEY
Weekend series in Alaska ends in split
No. 3 MSU woke up Saturday morning to frigid temperatures and a harsh reality in Fairbanks, Alaska. After a 2-1 loss to heavy underdog Alaska-Fairbanks the night before, head coach Ron Mason’s Spartans fell to 0-3 on the road this season and were grappling for answers. “I think we came out a little tired from traveling,” junior right wing Kris Koski said from Alaska on Sunday.
VOLLEYBALL
Solid season ends in sweep
Madison, Wis. - Only three teams defeated the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers all season. And on Saturday night, the No.
BASKETBALL
Team improves play in Classic victory
The weekend was all about improvements for the MSU men’s basketball team in the Spartan Coca-Cola Classic. MSU defeated Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne 81-68 in the Classic opener Friday and then defeated Lamar 80-71 on Saturday for their sixth straight Spartan Coca-Cola Classic championship.
SPORTS
Swimmers stay strong at Miami
The MSU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams held high positions among the 18-team competition in this weekend’s Miami Invitational in Oxford, Ohio.
VOLLEYBALL
Irish first foe in tourney
It might not have the madness of March or sparkle of “One Shining Moment,” but for the Spartan volleyball team, the NCAA Volleyball Tournament doesn’t lack drama. The No.
SPORTS
W-crew team inks 6 recruits
MSU head crew coach Bebe Bryans announced six athletes signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, creating the “strongest recruiting class,” she’s ever had. Kristin Dooley (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), Ashley Johnson (Park Hills, Ken.), Ashley Goosen (Rockford, Mich.), Valerie Lincoln (Fremont, Mich.) and Sarah Brady (Attica, Mich.) will join a team that has competed in the NCCA Championship the last four years. The women’s crew team also has placed first in three of its four meets this fall season. The team captured first and second place at Head of the Cuyahoga, took two first-place finishes at Head of the Ohio and dominated its only home meet, Head of the Grand, taking first place in every event. The Spartans compete again in the spring at the President’s Cup in Tampa, Fla., in March.
BASKETBALL
Return to Breslin relief for Cagers
After the slippery floor antics in Virginia on Wednesday night, the MSU men’s basketball team looks forward to the stability of being at home in the Spartan Coca-Cola Classic. MSU (2-2) tips off at 6 p.m.
SPORTS
W-hoops set to play Eagles
After edging out Detroit on Wednesday night, the MSU women’s basketball team will take on another intrastate team, Marquette, at 1 p.m.
SPORTS
Wrestlers win season opener
Despite being one All-American short, the No. 20 MSU wrestling team managed to get its revenge on the intrastate rival No.
ICE HOCKEY
Alaska-Fairbanks series only second road test of season
Fewer than two months into the season, Alaska-Fairbanks has already appeared on and disappeared from the national radar. The perennial doormat Nanooks, under head coach Guy Gadowsky, won six of their first seven games and began garnering attention from pollsters across the country. That was until Fairbanks (6-6-0 overall, 2-6-0 CCHA) dropped five straight contests - a streak it’s trying to break at home against No.
SOCCER
Baum relished NCAAs after 32 years sans postseason
While the MSU men’s soccer players hustled in pregame drills for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament matchup with Indiana, head coach Joe Baum nonchalantly meandered across the field.Baum’s relaxed attitude was surprising, considering the game was bigger than any the Spartans had played since Baum was on the team 32 years ago.But behind that calm demeanor, Baum admitted he was living up the moment.“It was a great feeling,” he said.
VOLLEYBALL
Hartley, individuals honored for season long efforts on court
One day after the Spartan volleyball team got group recognition in the form of a NCAA Tournament bid, four Spartan players were highlighted for their individual achievements. Senior outside hitter Erin Hartley made her first appearance on the All-Big Ten first team as a unanimous selection.
FOOTBALL
Injuries dont stop players, prognosticators
The prognosticators apologize to our cult following for taking last week off, especially to our biggest fan, MSU sophomore offensive lineman DeMarco Monroe.