This one truly was a barn-burner. Coming off a five-game hot streak in the Big Ten, Michigan State was looking to keep its position at the top of the conference, but the Golden Gophers had a different idea in mind. The first half alone had 16 lead changes and 4 ties. Minnesota’s Ralph Sampson III showed off his creativity with a variety of baby hooks and shots in the paint. … [Read more...] about Michigan State Spartans avoid upset at the Barn
tom izzo
#8 Michigan State easily handle the #17 Wisconsin Badgers (Rapid Reaction)
The game started out with the characteristic exchange of runs for the #8 Michigan State Spartans and #17 Wisconsin Badgers, but it wasn't long before the Spartans jumped out to a commanding lead and an impressive 69-55 win. The Spartans (21-5, 10-3) excelled in every facet of the game and surely looked like they could be … [Read more...] about #8 Michigan State easily handle the #17 Wisconsin Badgers (Rapid Reaction)
Just How Good Are The 2012 Michigan State Spartans?
Let Saturday's 58-48 victory over third ranked Ohio State be a wake up call to anyone who was sleeping on this year's Michigan State team. It was understandable why this was one of Sparty's least hyped-up teams in recent memory. After all, there was little for them to build on. They came into the season unranked after being eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament … [Read more...] about Just How Good Are The 2012 Michigan State Spartans?
Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
The Assembly Hall crowd in Champaign called for Bruce Weber's head. Illini fans in B Section screamed "pack your bags" and "I can draw up a better offense." This has gone on for years, except this time there was one major difference- No one in the orange and blue crowd stuck up for Bruce. And this happened during one of this year's signature wins, a victory over a top ten … [Read more...] about Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
The Big Ten's leading rebounder, and best player on the nation's 9th ranked team may be out for awhile. Michigan State forward Draymond Green seriously hurt his left leg in tonight's mild upset loss to the Illini, and left the game with 3:50 left, unable to walk on his own power. Green was down on the Assembly Hall floor in Champaign for quite awhile, and after examination … [Read more...] about Spartans’ Leading Scorer/Rebounder Draymond Green Leaves Game With Serious Leg Injury
Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) is an algorithm based on opponents' winning percentage, opponents' opponents' winning percentage, and opponents' opponents' opponents' winning percentage. This is the truth, I'm not trying to sound like Dr. Seuss here. So RPI is like the BCS, a very controversial number that certains groups of people ascribe meaning to; other groups of people … [Read more...] about Northwestern’s Surprisingly Good RPI, Tournament Profile
#6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Was this a huge upset? On one level, yes. Any time the most prominent college basketball program in the Big Ten falls to the program with the least amount of tradition in the conference, it's huge! Not to mention it ended the biggest win streak that prominent On the other hand, Northwestern came in with a RPI of 28 while Michigan State's number is 6, so it's not that big … [Read more...] about #6 Michigan State Sees Win Streak End at Northwestern!
Michigan State on Biggest Winning Streak Since Izzo’s 1st Final Four Team
When the #6 Michigan State Spartans head to Northwestern on Saturday, they'll do so riding a 15 game winning streak=longest winning streak since the 1998-99 season, when they won 22 in a row before losing to Duke in the Final Four. That was Tom Izzo's fourth season at the helm in East Lansing, and the first of his six Final Fours. That team lost to the Wisconsin Badgers at … [Read more...] about Michigan State on Biggest Winning Streak Since Izzo’s 1st Final Four Team
Michigan State Tougher Team than Expected; Back in National Rankings
Last year was no doubt a down year in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans still won 19 games and made the NCAA Tournament, but that's definitely below par in a place like Michigan State- where they went to 6 Final Fours in 12 years. And entering the season as the consensus #2 team in all of college basketball, not advancing in the tourney was a huge disappointment. They had … [Read more...] about Michigan State Tougher Team than Expected; Back in National Rankings
Michigan St. Wins 20+ in 2 years; Not bad for a “Basketball School”
On the banks of the Red Cedar there's a school that's known to sports fans. Their specialty is college basketball, and the Spartans also play great hockey. Excuse me for taking the Michigan State fight song, and changing the lyrics. But when people think about MSU sports, Tom Izzo's hoops program comes to mind first. Six Final Fours in 11 years will do that. Spartan … [Read more...] about Michigan St. Wins 20+ in 2 years; Not bad for a “Basketball School”