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Michigan State Tougher Team than Expected; Back in National Rankings

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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”

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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”

College Hoops Midnight Madness: Origins, Traditions, Current Highlights

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You know what today is? The official start of college basketball season as Midnight Madness gets underway at numerous schools all across the country. Madness is an annual event on college campuses celebrating the first day in mid-October that the NCAA permits formal, official basketball practices. The event's name originates from those specific events that start at midnight- … [Read more...] about College Hoops Midnight Madness: Origins, Traditions, Current Highlights

#32 Michigan State Spartans: College Basketball 111 in 111

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Welcome to The Sports Bank’s second annual college basketball season preview series.  Last year we looked at 99 teams in 99 days.  This year, we are being slightly more aggressive and expanding to 111 teams in 111 days.  We will rank the 74 power conference teams and top 37 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order.  We’ll break down rosters, non-conference schedules, and pick … [Read more...] about #32 Michigan State Spartans: College Basketball 111 in 111

Michigan State Guard Keith Appling Finalist for Team USA U19

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Michigan State Spartans sophomore point guard Keith Appling has accepted an invitation from the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team Committee to attend the 2011 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Championship Team training camp. The training camp, which will be held June 17-24 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will be used to select the … [Read more...] about Michigan State Guard Keith Appling Finalist for Team USA U19

Michigan State adds Valpo’s Brandon Wood to their Backcourt

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Combo guard Brandon Wood will join the Michigan State Spartans for the upcoming 2011-12 season. Wood played college basketball for Valparaiso the last two seasons, and will receive his bachelor's degree this month. He'll have one season of collegiate eligibility remaining for the Spartans. NCAA rules allow an institution to apply for a waiver to allow a student-athlete to … [Read more...] about Michigan State adds Valpo’s Brandon Wood to their Backcourt

Will Michigan State Turn it On Again this March Madness?

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They call Tom Izzo "Mr. March" for a reason. And the numbers give creedence to that. Here's what the Michigan State Spartans have accomplished lately: 9 wins as a lower seed since 2003 (most in college basketball) 66-27 in March/April since 1999 35 NCAA Tournament wins since 1998, second most in the nation The 15 years Izzo era in East Lansing has seen 9 sweet … [Read more...] about Will Michigan State Turn it On Again this March Madness?

Michigan State Blows Out #9 Purdue, Secures NCAA Tournament Bid

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I guess MSU Coach Tom Izzo  finally got his Michigan State Spartans to realize that March is here? In their 74-56 rout over the #6 Purdue Boilermakers, State finally played like a preseason #2 team in national college basketball. And of course they did it in March, a month in which they're known to be at their best. It took all the way to the Big Ten Tournament … [Read more...] about Michigan State Blows Out #9 Purdue, Secures NCAA Tournament Bid