Clutch play by junior guard Denzel Valentine could save the Spartans (5-3 overall) from falling to Notre Dame (7-1 overall) 79-78 in overtime in the ACC/Big Ten challenge Wednesday night. The Fighting Irish were led by senior guard Jerian Grant, who had 27 points and six assists.
In a 17 point outburst on Sunday against Miami (OH), senior guard and former walk-on Anna Morrissey turned in the most impressive game of her Spartan career.
The Spartans will take on Notre Dame in the ACC/Big Ten challenge on Wednesday, and both players and coaches see the game as an opportunity to bounce back from a perhaps needless loss against No.
Sophomore guard Alvin Ellis III, who sprained his ankle in the opener against Navy, practiced on Monday and will likely see playing time in the ACC/Big Ten challenge on Wednesday, in which No. 19 MSU will take on Notre Dame.
No. 16 MSU welcomed the visiting Miami (OH) Red Hawks for a Sunday afternoon game, but the Spartans faced little opposition, cruising to a 85-39 victory. Miami (1-3) sat in a 2-3 zone to start, and the Spartans (4-1) made the Red Hawks pay with a couple early threes from senior guard Anna Morrissey and sophomore guard Tori Jankoska. Morrissey, a former walk-on, scored a career-high 11 points last game against Oakland, but she improved that number to 17 against Miami.
Cold shooting in the second half doomed the men's basketball team in the Orlando Classic championship game. Behind 19 points and nine rebounds from junior forward Perry Ellis, No. 11 Kansas (5-1 overall) defeated the No. 20 Spartans (5-2 overall) 61-56 in Kissimmee, Florida.
Marquette gave the men's basketball team everything they could handle on Friday night, but Marquette ultimately couldn't overcome a career night from Denzel Valentine.
The men's basketball team took care of business on Thanksgiving day, defeating Rider 77-45 to advance to the semifinal round of the Orlando Classic.
A dominant game from sophomore forward Aerial Powers helped the Spartans defeat Oakland, 79-64, at Breslin Center on the eve of Thanksgiving.
After losing a number of talented players from a year ago, it was known that for MSU to have success this season, fresh faces would have to step up. It appears freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. and sophomore forward Gavin Schilling have the potential to be a couple of those guys.
In his first start at MSU, freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. took full advantage of his opportunity.
After an emotional loss to No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 15 MSU was back in action at Breslin Center taking on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Jaguars. MSU looked sluggish at times but was able to pull out a 64-45 win after a 20-9 run to end the game.
There was some speculation coming into the season on whether junior Matt Costello and sophomore Gavin Schilling could carry the load for MSU's big men. On Friday night, the Spartans were adamant about getting the ball in the paint through both players.
The No. 19 men's basketball team bounced back from a 10-point loss against No. 4 Duke on Tuesday with an 87-52 home victory over Loyola Chicago Friday night. Five Spartans reached double figure, led by senior forward Branden Dawson who had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr.
MSU let one slip away against No. 3 Notre Dame on Wednesday night, and the Spartans missed out on winning a signature statement game. MSU struggled at the free throw line, especially in the second half.
When assigned this column, I was troubled on what would be the best thing to focus on when addressing Tom Izzo. The subject could range anywhere from his great achievements on the court to what he’s done for this university to even what he’s done for this whole state of Michigan in general. The possibilities were endless and I was somewhat overwhelmed. I mean, we are talking about a man who has achieved so much here at MSU and across the state during the past 20 years.
On a cold and snowy November night, No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame kept Breslin Center toasty for 40 minutes of basketball, but the Irish pulled away towards the end, securing a 71-63 victory. The two teams got out to a quick start, as MSU sophomore guard Tori Jankoska drilled two threes before the first media timeout.
No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame got out to a quick start, as MSU sophomore guard Tori Jankoska drilled two threes before the first media timeout.
Fouls and free throws were enough to sink the Spartans chances of bringing home a signature early season win.
No. 14 MSU and No. 3 Notre Dame will square off Wednesday night at Breslin Center, with the Spartans hoping to avenge an ugly loss to the Fighting Irish last season. The teams met in early November to kick the 2013-14 season off last fall but Notre Dame simply outmuscled MSU, 81-62.