Lucas now pain-free

Michigan State Spartans point guard Kalin Lucas is pain-free but does not know when he will return.

Lucas tore his Achilles tendon during the second round of last year’s NCAA basketball tournament.

The guard said that he likely would be somewhere else this year playing professional basketball had it not been for the injury.

He said that there are a lot of expectations for the Spartans and for himself in his senior year. ( Read More…)

Monday, July 26, 2010 at 6:33 pm by steve

Tags: Michigan schedule, Michigan State news, Michigan State tickets

Izzo turns down Cavaliers

Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo has decided to turn down the Cleveland Cavaliers job.

One of the big reasons Izzo turned down the job is that he was never able to speak with LeBron James.

Before taking the job, Izzo would want to make sure that he would have the opportunity to coach James. ( Read More…)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 3:27 pm by steve

Tags: michigan state spartans news, michigan state spartans schedule, michigan state spartans tickets

Izzo nearing decision on Cavs

Michigan State Spartans fans might not have to wait much longer to find out if beloved coach Tom Izzo is headed for greener pastures. ESPN.com reports that a decision from Izzo on whether or not to accept an offer to become the new head coach of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers could come as soon as Monday.

Izzo told his Michigan State players that he’s still undecided. On Thursday, he flew to Cleveland to meet with the Cavs, a meeting that lasted several hours. It was reported that the meeting was more like a recruiting visit for him and his family than anything else. Izzo has been tempted by NBA offers in the past but dismissed them relatively quickly, another sign that he’s taking this offer far more seriously.

( Read More…)

Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 1:45 pm by Raj Sethi

Tags: michigan state spartans news, michigan state spartans schedule, michigan state spartans tickets, tom izzo

Cavaliers contact Izzo

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made contact with Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo.

A report claims that the Cavaliers are willing to offer Izzo $6 million per year over five years.

Izzo makes a little over $3 million per year with the Spartans, so it would be a significant raise.

The coach has said previously that he is not interested in the NBA, but he has left the door open to make the leap.

The Cavaliers say they have also contacted a number of other coaches, so they aren’t only after Izzo.

Friday, June 11, 2010 at 8:57 am by steve

Izzo denies Cavaliers rumors

Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo’s name has suddenly emerged in rumors about the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Izzo’s name has popped up on the NBA radar screen more than once in the past, but he has never made a move.

The Cleveland job isn’t all that far from his home in East Lansing, which would make it less of an adjustment.

That said, Izzo has already laughed off any speculation he will make a jump to the NBA.

He has made it perfectly clear he is happy with the Spartans and that Cavaliers owner Daniel Gilbert hasn’t been ringing his phone off the hook.

Friday, May 28, 2010 at 3:41 pm by steve

Lucious to transfer?

Michigan State Spartans junior guard Korie Lucious is considering a transfer to another school.

Lucious, an unheralded guard during the regular season, took to the spotlight in the NCAA tournament.

Because of injuries to both Kalin Lucas and Chris Allen, Lucious took over the point guard role and flourished.

He hit a huge, game-winning shot to beat the Maryland Terrapins to advance to the Sweet 16 and helped lead the Spartans to the Final Four.

The guard wants significant playing time but knows he will be stuck behind Lucas at the point guard position.

Monday, May 10, 2010 at 4:10 pm by steve

Summers, Lucas returning to Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans hopes were confirmed when Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas both announced that they will return next season.

The announcement instantly pushes the Spartans up high in the rankings and raises hopes of another national championship in Lansing.

Summers, who was a solid player but nothing special, came out of nowhere to become one of the best players in the NCAA tournament this year.

Lucas had been widely regarded as one of the top point guards in the country but missed the end of the team’s tournament run because of a torn ACL.

The point guard is working hard to rehab the injury and is hopeful that he will be 100 percent in time for the start of basketball practice next fall.

Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm by steve

Michigan State edged by Butler, 52-50

The Michigan State Spartans couldn’t pull out another close game, falling to the Butler Bulldogs, 52-50.

In a game that started out with both teams firing away from three-point range, defense was the name of the game in the second half.

Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket, although credit must go to the work on the defensive end.

The Spartans had plenty of opportunities to grab the lead, but lady luck finally ran out on them.

Despite the loss, Michigan State has to be excited about next year since they will lose just Raymar Morgan.

Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 7:24 am by steve

Michigan State falls short in Final Four

In a slowdown, half-court game, the little things are magnified. Free throws, turnovers, rebounding.

Michigan State fell short in all three categories, and as a result, its season is over.

The Butler Bulldogs defeated the Spartans in a sloppy, bogged-down game, using solid defense and free throw shooting en route to a 52-50 win in the Final Four.

Butler successfully controlled the pace of the game and despite going without a field goal for 10+ minutes in the second half, held off every Michigan State rally. Butler shot just 30 percent for the game, but forced 16 turnovers while committing just eight, grabbed four more offensive rebounds, and make seven more free throws.

The Spartans had their chances to seize the game late, but down one with seconds remaining, Draymond Green’s layup came up short. And then down three with two seconds left and at the free throw line, an intentionally-missed second attempt was secured by Butler to seal the victory.

Michigan State had a remarkable run to the Final Four, given all its injuries. But losing a game like this one, that was its for the taking, will certainly leave a sour taste in its mouth.

Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 3:29 pm by Raj Sethi

Izzo could hear from Oregon

Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo is at the top of list for Oregon’s coaching search.

In fact, the Ducks are set to offer Izzo the biggest contract ever given to a college basketball head coach.

Oregon is set to move into a new $200 million arena and has the backing of Nike founder Phi Knight.

Knight has made it clear that he wants a big-time name to put their stamp on the Oregon basketball program.

Izzo said that he hasn’t heard from anyone yet but that he is perfectly happy at Michigan State.

Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:13 am by steve