Michigan State University NCAA News Archives

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo hasn't forgotten how it felt to watch North Carolina roll through his team in last season's national championship game and put a damper on the Spartans' thrilling run through the NCAA tournament.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Last week, as Michigan State prepared for its participation in the Legends Classic, a few players noted that the Spartans had not won a preseason tournament in 10 seasons.

Michigan State has kicked two players off the football team Tuesday evening, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.

The Florida Gators upset the second ranked Michigan State Spartans 77 - 74 Friday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey, giving the young Gators a signature non-conference win that could pay big dividends come tournament time.

The attorney for one of the students reportedly injured in an altercation Sunday night at a Michigan State residence hall released a statement Friday about her client, Brent Mitchell.

Coach Tom Izzo tied his predecessor Jud Heathcote for the most victories at Michigan State, with 340, after the No.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Tom Izzo will have to wait at least another day to become Michigan State's all-time leader in victories.

After getting only three teams in the NCAA Tournament last season, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive told the league's basketball coaches to beef up their non-conference schedules.

Penn State has bigger receivers. Penn State has faster receivers. Actually, the Nittany Lions have a receiver, Derek Moye, who is bigger and faster than Graham Zug.

Future dentist and Michigan State wide receiver Blair White has been named first-team Academic All-America by ESPN The Magazine as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America .

Michigan State and Florida met 10 seasons ago for the national title. While the Spartans may seem like the better bet to get back this season, the Gators feel they have significantly improved.

Of the four major Big Ten awards, this was by far the most difficult selection. Earlier this month, I detailed how as many as nine players should be considered for the award, and little has changed in recent weeks.

Penn State's Levi Brown and Chris Baker haul off the Land Grant Trophy after beating Michigan State 17-13 in the 2006 season.

With only a few remaining scholarships left for the 2010 class, the Spartans filled a major need with yesterday's pledge from Ohio offensive linemen Skyler Schofner.

The Big Ten announced the 2009 All-Conference football teams and individual award winners tonight as selected by the coaches and a media panel, with four different schools sharing the individual accolades.

The senior punter was named to ESPN The Magazine's first-team Academic All-American team Tuesday, a day after he earned first-team all-Big Ten honors and was named a finalist for the Ray Guy Award .

Records through Sunday; previous ranking in parentheses. 1. Kansas : The Jayhawks scored their fewest points in a win since 2000 when they eked out a 57-55 victory against Memphis.

Those who really do buy Playboy for the articles will be happy to see this montha TMs college basketball preview, which ranks Villanona at No.

HDNet announced today that the network will broadcast exclusive LIVE coverage of the third annual Legends Classic, Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Needing just one victory to tie for the most wins in school history, Michigan State's Tom Izzo leads his Spartans into battle against the visiting Crusaders of Valparaiso this afternoon as part of the Legends Classic.

Wisconsin running back John Clay, who leads the Big Ten in rushing, was chosen as the conference's offensive player of the year Monday night.

2 Spartans' 90-60 win over Valparaiso yesterday in East Lansing, Mich. Izzo shares the record with mentor Jud Heathcote.

Daryll Clark was 19-for-27 for 310 yards and four touchdowns as Penn State beat Michigan State, 42-14, today in East Lansing.

Despite losing to Penn State, 42-12, on Saturday at Spartan Stadium, Michigan State will play in a bowl game.

Larry Bird finished his speech, walked back to his seat and received a fist bump from the man sitting next to him on the dais.

Chris Allen scored 22 points, Kalin Lucas added 15 and Michigan State routed Valparaiso 90-60 on Sunday to move coach Tom Izzo into a tie with Jud Heathcote for most career wins with the Spartans.

ANN ARBOR - The Michigan basketball team hasn't been challenged since it was ousted from the NCAA Tournament last season by Oklahoma.

With one more victory, Tom Izzo will move into a tie atop Michigan State 's all-time list.

East Lansing -- Michigan State's waiting game begins. The Spartans are bowl-bound, but most likely won't know their destination until Bowl Championship Series rankings are released on Dec.

"It is what it is." That is one of the most overused quotes by athletes and coaches who often utter it to describe a tough situation they wish they could change.

East Lansing -- A lifeless Michigan State defense allowed four Penn State scores in the second half Saturday, and the Spartans were crushed 42-14 in their final regular-season game.

Colin Neely looked tired and weary in the fourth quarter, prompting Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi to ask if he needed a breather.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State was not favored to beat Penn State last year in State College and win a Big Ten title, so it wasn't a surprise that the Nittany Lions won the game.

Senior wide receiver Blair White, who joined the Spartans as a walk-on, says although the team won't reach its goal of playing in the Rose Bowl, it still has a shot at a "nice bowl" with a win Saturday against Penn State.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and the No. 9 Buckeyes are unbeaten against Michigan the past five seasons.

The Rose Bowl is out of reach for Penn State and Michigan State. But Saturday's regular-season finale will have a lot to do with determining where both Big Ten teams spend their holidays.

East Lansing -- Michigan State forward Raymar Morgan has a right foot injury, but said Thursday he expects to play Friday against Toledo.

This won't be a typical day-after post because we weren't in East Lansing, but I do have some notes, quotes, pictures and links below.

MSU and Kansas both survived upset bids Tuesday night. College basketball's top two teams narrowly avoided upset bids on Tuesday night.

Though it's early in the NCAA men's basketball season and many things can happen between now and March, tonight's matchup between Michigan State and Gonzaga had all the feeling of a Sweet 16 game.

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Frank Bodani talks Penn State with readers every Monday during football season.

It's not just a matter of coach Tom Izzo trying to get the best from Durrell Summers.

Did you attend this game? If so, start chronicling your sports memories today with ESPN's Sports Passport.

Michigan State's winning streak at home against nonconference teams was in jeopardy.

Michigan State senior placekicker Brett Swenson, who connected on all four of his field-goal attempts including a 21-yard game-winner as the Spartans rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 40-37 victory at Purdue, has been selected Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

MSU football coach Mark Dantonio revisited some of the memories that stick with him in the Michigan State-Penn State series.

Did you attend this game? If so, start chronicling your sports memories today with ESPN's Sports Passport.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few was not particularly impressed with his young team's sloppy play in a season-opening win over Mississippi Valley State.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Senior kicker Brett Swenson received his rightful share of recognition from teammates and fans for going 4-for-4 on field-goal tries in Michigan State's 40-37 win over Purdue on Saturday.

Aisha Jefferson scored 16 points to help No. 10 Michigan State beat Detroit 71-62 on Sunday for its first win of the season.

Unfortunately, all the TV folks had packed up their cameras and left. Then again, even if you saw a replay of the shot Michigan State freshman center Derrick Nix made after Sunday night's practice in the Breslin Center, you'd probably figure it for one of those doctored videos that show up on Youtube.com from time to time.

Running back Ashton Leggett, who disappeared from the Michigan State depth chart a few weeks ago, is starting against Purdue.

When the future and past met at mid-court last spring, the embrace was undoubtedly a moment in Michigan State history worth capturing.

Michigan State senior kicker Brett Swenson made a compelling case for the Lou Groza award by kicking four field goals, including the game-winner with 1:51 remaining, in Saturday's 40-37 victory over Purdue.

One of the most anticipated seasons in Kansas' storied history got off to a high-flying start.

Kendel Ross and the Dayton women's basketball team are expecting big things this year.

The Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast swoop into the Breslin Center to challenge the second-ranked Michigan State Spartans in the 2009-10 season opener for both teams.

Man in the middle: The lack of a center might be the only thing keeping the Spartans from greatness.

Brett Swenson, who will leave Michigan State as its all-time leading kicker, is a Groza Award semifinalist.

Junior point guard Kalin Lucas will be among the players Michigan State will count on for leadership this season.

FGCU Eagles at No. 2 Michigan State , 7 p.m. TV: None, but the game can be seen on ESPN 360.com Radio: WWCN/AM 770 Projected starting lineups FGCU 5-9 SO PG Reggie Chambers 6-1 JR G Reed Baker 6-7 SR F/C Kyle Marks 6-5 SR F Derrick O'Neil 6-8 JR F Charlie Lytle Michigan State 6-0 JR PG Kalin Lucas 6-4 SO G Durrell Summers 6-8 SO F Delvon Roe 6-6 SO ...

University of Notre Dame freshman placekicker Nick Tausch was one of 20 players named a semifinalist for the 2009 Lou Groza Award, presented annually to college football's top placekicker, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Monday.

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State's ever-shifting lineup at running back contained yet another change on the depth chart that the Spartans released Tuesday.

The All Sports Association, Inc. announced today that University of Michigan fifth-year senior punter Zoltan Mesko is one of 12 finalists for the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy, the national award that honors the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo said this afternoon that junior guard Chris Allen, sophomore forward Delvon Roe and junior guard Durrell Summers will be able to play in Friday's season opener against Florida Gulf Coast.

Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott leads the conference with 270 1/2 passing yards per game, and his 16 touchdown passes are second.

Host Michigan State took out last week's upset at the hand of Minnesota out on visiting Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon.

The Big Ten is up, or so we think, with two Final Four contenders among six ranked teams.

Ita s hard to believe, but as the calendar turns to November, ita s time to tip off another college basketball season.

Michigan State junior point guard Kalin Lucas has been deemed the No. 1 player to watch in the nation, according to my old friend Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News.

East Lansing Big Ten teams sure didn't do Michigan State any favors Saturday, as there are now four opposing conference teams one or two wins away from bowl eligibility.

Joey Elliott threw for a career-high 367 yards and two touchdowns, ran for a score and Purdue held on for a 38-36 victory against Michigan.

Published: Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. CLEMMONS As the emcee at the NCHSAA cross country meet counted down the top 10 2-A boys teams, Central Davidson coach Greg Peters waited silently, swaying nervously.

Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller looks to throw against Michigan State's Jeremy Ware on Saturday.

East Lansing -- A lot has changed for Michigan State's offense since Javon Ringer rushed for a school-record 22 touchdowns last season.

At first glance, Michigan State's 76-45 exhibition win versus Northwood University was just a meaningless dress rehearsal while awaiting the home opener on Nov.

Last Saturday was far from the finest hour for either of these defenses. The Broncos saw Kent State's freshman quarterback torch them continuously until he'd racked up a career-best 373 yards passing, more than doubling his average.

The Big Ten put seven teams in the NCAA tournament last season, and only put two players in the NBA Draft.

Tickets to Michigan State's non-conference basketball games are available for purchase.

Last week we poked a little fun at ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg for dissing Michigan and Michigan State in his Big Ten power rankings.

Bowl eligibility. Both teams are coming off losses and need to win two more games to have a chance to play in the postseason.

EAST LANSING - Michigan State forward Raymar Morgan will miss Monday's exhibition game against Grand Valley State and might not be available for the season opener against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov.

After each victory, Minnesota coach Tim Brewster announces a series of team award winners.

Two weeks ago, "Michigan State" and "Big Ten championship" often were mentioned in the same sentence.

With three games left in the regular season, Michigan State has simplified its goals.

Tom Izzo continues to reload as he picked up yet another commitment from one of the country's top prospects, 4 star guard Brandan Kearney.

Coach: Tom Izzo . Last season's record: 31-7 overall, 15-3 in Big Ten . Postseason: Lost in national championship game to North Carolina .

A prestigious bowl game and a high finish in the Big Ten appear to be only wishful thinking at this point in the season for Michigan State.

OUTLOOK: Though many felt 2008-09 was a down year for the Big Ten, the league still managed to have one of its own play for the national championship, and another win the NIT.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio says there are lot of factors for why the Spartans can't punch the ball in the end zone on the ground with consistency.

Michigan State came into an exhibition opener against Northwood banged up and didn't escape without a few more players taking lumps.

First Michigan State lost three starters to injury Saturday. Then they lost to Minnesota on a play reminiscent of Franco Harris' Immaculate Reception.

Pretty nasty first half for the Spartans. The defense gives up a score during the first 20 seconds.