Tagged: sports

EAST LANSING—After the Michigan State football team knocked off the Boise State Broncos under the lights in September, the No. 15 Spartan basketball team faced the men’s team of Boise, who came into the Breslin Center unranked and looking for an upset.

The game began with Gary Harris heading to the locker room early due to a shoulder injury.  Adjustments were made, as the Spartans went with a smaller line-up of Russell Byrd and Brandon Kearney throughout the game. The first 10 minutes featured up-and-down basketball, highlighted by lead changes and fast breaks.

Leading the Spartans at the end of the fist half was Keith Appling, shooting 4-7 from the field with 11 points and 3 assists.

In the second half, the Spartan’s led Boise 56-54 with 9:19 to go, but Center Derrick Nix was given a flagrant foul coupled by a Tom Izzo technical foul.  The refs gave Izzo the technical because of constant jabber throughout both halfs.

Boise took the lead back for the first time since the first half, knocking down all four technical free throws taking a 56-58 lead.

The Spartans rampaged back, with two back-to-back dunks by Denzel Valentine and Keith Appling, making it 66-62 with 3:20 to go.

Boise trailed 68-70 with less than a minute in regulation, until Keith Appling hit a lay-up while being fouled, giving the Spartans a three-point play.  The Spartans clung to their lead and never looked back, defeating Boise 74-70.

This marked the 2nd meeting against Boise in 30 years for the Spartans.  Appling played all 40 minutes while leading the Spartans with 22 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.  The Spartans also finished 16-25 from the free-throw line.  The Boise State Broncos stuck right with a strong rebounding Spartan team, totaling 24 opposed to the Spartan’s 28.  Michigan State now improves to 3-1, with their next game against Oakland University Friday, November 23rd at Breslin.

Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News joins Earle to discuss the Big Ten expansion of Maryland and Rutgers. Associated Press writer Larry Lage calls in to discuss Lions, Tigers and Pistons. Other topics include student attendance at football games. 

Big Ten athletic officials have announced the University of Maryland will be joining the conference in 2014.

The Michigan State Spartans had their bowl bid hopes on the line Saturday, as they faced the Northwestern Wildcats at Spartan Stadium. 

The opening Northwestern drive led to a field goal, tacked on by kicker Jeff Budzien. Michigan State responded tallying its first safety of the year, sacking quarterback Kain Colter with 2:43 left in the first quarter. 

Both teams failed to score touchdowns in the first half. The Spartans were 1-4 in the red-zone scoring with a field goal, while Northwesterns’ one red-zone chance led to a field goal, as they led at the half 6-5. 

The second half featured more scoring opportunities, as Andrew Maxwell threw an interception within the first minute that was returned for a Northwestern touchdown. Michigan State fired right back with a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, while successfully completing a two-point conversion to tie the game 13-13. 

After more scoring from both teams, the Wildcats pulled away late in the fourth quarter with another Budzien field goal at 7:30. The Spartans could not answer, committing two turnovers with the remaining time. 

Michigan State Dan Conroy set a record of 77 consecutive made extra points, tied for the most ever in Spartan history. Running back Le’Veon Bell, who had five 100-yard rush games leading up to today, finished with 133 yards on 32 carries. 

The Michigan State Spartans have now lost their last five games at home this season by a combined total of 13 points. One more win would give them a bowl berth, as they face the Minnesota Golden Gophers next Saturday with their last game of the season. 

With a bowl game on the line for Michigan State football, Earle invites Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp and Jack Ebling to make their Big Ten picks for the weekend.  The crew also touches on the Detroit Lions troubles, as well as the success of Miguel Cabrera as the American League MVP.  Earle opens the lines for callers to close the show.

With the turn of events in NASCAR, Earle calls on Terry Fitzwater for expert opinion on the races and more.  Earle also gives away football and basketball tickets for the big games this weekend.  Earle closes the show taking callers, and touching up on the Detroit Piston’s first regular season win this year.

The standings are close, with Jack Ebling leading Drew Sharp and Earle Robinson by two games in the Big Ten picks standings.  Earle opens the show with the usual crew, talking about the big games in the conference this weekend.  Earle also interviews Women’s head basketball coach Suzy Merchant, on their success as a team this year as well as some of the harder issues they have faced.  Earle closes the show taking callers.

Earle opens the show with Desmond Ferguson, discussing prep sports.  Dick Hoekstra, prep editor at Lansing State Journal, comes on to discuss the high school football playoffs as well.  Earle closes the show giving away MSU hockey tickets for the big game this weekend, and taking callers with topics in the world of sports.

Nascar guru Terry Fitzwater joins Earle to discuss the last few weeks of the NASCAR season. East Lansing High School boys basketball coach, Steve Finamore chats with Earle about their upcoming season. Lastly, Detroit Free Press writer, Perry Farrell discusses college basketball with Earl.