It's time to check those preseason picks and see just how different reality turned out to be... First, the Big Ten predictions: After predicting each Big Ten game, State Journal reporter Joe Rexrode expects Michigan State to finish second in the league standings to Purdue, and for four Big Ten t...

Here's the MSU hoops notebook from Tuesday's paper, along with more Tom Izzo thoughts on Frances Cleaves, who had a family center dedicated in her name Sunday: Joe Rexrodejrexrode@lsj.com     EAST LANSING – Michigan State cleaned up on the Big Ten this season, and on Mond...

So sighed Tom Izzo after the Spartans checked everything off their Sunday wish list (except a commitment from Jamil Wilson, who picked Oregon). They won for the seniors. They got Purdue. They took another step toward Final Four-worthy defense. They raised the banner. They cut the nets. They put on t...

They jumped around a little bit in the locker room, but the Big Ten title share-holding Spartans weren't overly jubilant after their most complete game of the season and biggest regular-season win since 2001. "Focus" was thrown around a lot in post-game interviews, after it showed itse...

Congratulations to VA Sparty, the only one of 55 entrants who got all five questions right in the MSU DVD Challenge.    The correct answers went CBDBC. Jay Vincent hurt his foot against Wisconsin; The first Big Ten title came in 1957; Jud saw Skiles play in Fort Wayne; Ken Redfield made ...

“He’s done it before and I haven’t, and I think I want it as bad as he does.â€�    That was Goran Suton on Tom Izzo and the desire to win a Big Ten championship -- which Suton illustrated with his game-saving performance against Wisconsin.    He wasn't the onl...

Wisconsin and the 1979 reunion on the same day in Breslin Center. Sounds like a recipe for rampant emotion. With the Badgers on tap for their only regular season meeting with the Spartans, it's a good time to look back at the most devastated locker room I've ever encountered.   &...

Not that Purdue won, but that Purdue slapped Michigan State around like that. MSU's first road loss of the season was a return of sorts to road meltdowns of seasons past.    The keys were as expected. Purdue hung around on the boards and turned 22 MSU turnovers into 21 points. This g...

“I’ve got to admit, I’m excitedly looking forward to this game. Some games you worry about – I’m excited.â€�    That's a quote from Tom Izzo at his Monday press conference, regarding the game of the season so far. The key points:    * Raymar Morgan. He'...

Rapid fire to match a "rivalry week" that is actually a "rivalry one-third or so of a week."    * These same stupid questions every year. Can MSU-Michigan be like Duke and North Carolina some day? What an idiot. Oh wait, that was me. (Although, to be fair, I was askin...