LARRY LAGE
FILE - Washington State and Utah play the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Beasley Coliseum without fans present due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Pullman, Wash., in this Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, file photo. Since the season began Nov 25, more than 715 men’s basketball games have been postponed, rearranged or simply called off, according to an AP analysis through Friday's, Feb. 5, 2021, games, and the news was similar for women's teams. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
COVID-19 variants add more variables to playing in pandemic

By Larry Lage Feb. 05, 2021 03:01 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Playing college sports during the pandemic has

Michigan guard Franz Wagner, front, reacts after forcing a Minnesota turnover in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Dickinson-led No. 10 Michigan routs No. 16 Minnesota 82-57

By Larry Lage Jan. 06, 2021 11:47 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Hunter Dickinson has deflected credit for his

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Henry scores 20, No. 23 Michigan State beats No. 15 Rutgers

By Larry Lage Jan. 05, 2021 11:30 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Aaron Henry did it all for No.

Wisconsin's D'Mitrik Trice, right, drives against Michigan State's Julius Marble II during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Trice scores 29, No. 9 Wisconsin beats Michigan State 85-76

By Larry Lage Dec. 25, 2020 03:11 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — D’Mitrk Trice had to play on the road Christmas Day

Western Michigan's B Artis White, left, puts up a shot against Michigan State's Aaron Henry during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Hauser nets 24, No. 8 Michigan St. tops Western Mich. 79-61

By Larry Lage Dec. 06, 2020 08:14 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Joey Hauser had his heels on the logo at half court

Michigan State guard Rocket Watts (2) and Detroit Mercy guard Antoine Davis (0) try to control the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 8 Michigan St survives scare, beats Detroit Mercy 83-76

By Larry Lage Dec. 04, 2020 07:29 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Rocket Watts picked the right time to have his best

Oakland guard Jalen Moore (34) attempts a basket while defended by Michigan forward Isaiah Livers (2), in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 25 Michigan outlasts Oakland 81-71 in overtime

By Larry Lage Nov. 29, 2020 08:34 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — No. 25 Michigan desperately needed a spark after

Notre Dame's Prentiss Hubb, left, shoots against Michigan State's Rocket Watts and Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 80-70. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 13 Michigan State coasts to 80-70 win over Notre Dame

By Larry Lage Nov. 28, 2020 10:14 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Aaron Henry withdrew from the NBA draft to work on

Michigan State's Gabe Brown, left, and Eastern Michigan's Ty Groce (1) vie for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 83-67. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 13 Michigan State opens with 83-67 win over E. Michigan

By Larry Lage Nov. 25, 2020 08:38 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tom Izzo stewed while seated instead of shouting and

FILE - Michigan State's Aaron Henry, left, shoots against Ohio State's Duane Washington Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., in this Sunday, March 8, 2020, file photo. Michigan State won 80-69. The team will need preseason All-Big Ten player Aaron Henry to produce much more than he has in the past as a role player.(AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
No. 13 Michigan St forced to prepare for season without Izzo

By Larry Lage Nov. 10, 2020 05:47 PM EST
Michigan State's basketball program knew it would go into the season with

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo gestures during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has tested positive for COVID-19. The school’s athletic department made the announcement Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tests positive for COVID-19

By Larry Lage Nov. 09, 2020 04:27 PM EST
Tom Izzo has been an advocate for wearing masks and social distancing, hoping

Ohio State's Duane Washington Jr., left, shoots against Michigan State's Aaron Henry (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 16 Mich St tops No. 19 Ohio St 80-69, shares B10 title

By Larry Lage Mar. 08, 2020 08:12 PM EDT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston kissed Michigan State's logo in the

Michigan State's Malik Hall, right and Iowa's Luka Garza (55) and Michigan State's Thomas Kithier, left, vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Behind Winston, No. 24 Michigan State tops No. 18 Iowa 78-70

By Larry Lage Feb. 25, 2020 09:29 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston scored only one point in the first

Michigan coach Juwan Howard signals during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan routs Indiana 89-65, helps NCAA Tournament chances

By Larry Lage Feb. 16, 2020 03:14 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan is rolling again, finding ways to win as it

Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman (23) drives on Maryland forward Jalen Smith (25) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 9 Maryland beats Michigan State 67-60 with 14-0 run

By Larry Lage Feb. 15, 2020 08:30 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Anthony Cowan was the smallest and best player on

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker reacts to a holding call in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, in Tempe, Ariz. A person familiar with the decision says Colorado coach Mel Tucker has agreed to lead Michigan State's football program. The person spoke Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Michigan State rallies to hire Tucker away from Colorado

By Larry Lage Feb. 12, 2020 01:43 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Mel Tucker recalled making $400 a month when he

Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. (1) goes to the basket for a layup during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Big Ten: No. 9 Maryland vs No. 20 Illinois with high stakes

By Larry Lage Feb. 06, 2020 03:03 PM EST
What to watch in Big Ten basketball: GAME OF THE WEEK

Penn State's Myreon Jones dribbles during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 22 Penn State beats No. 16 Michigan State 75-70

By Larry Lage Feb. 04, 2020 10:29 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Patrick Chambers is on a quest to keep Penn State's

Michigan State forward Julius Marble (34) and forward Thomas Kithier, right, react after a 3-point basket by forward Gabe Brown (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 14 Michigan St tops Northwestern 79-50, moves into 1st

By Larry Lage Jan. 29, 2020 08:53 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston was sluggish and looked out of sorts

Michigan State guard Cassius Winston (5) makes a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Winston sets record, No. 15 Spartans top Wisconsin 67-55

By Larry Lage Jan. 17, 2020 10:19 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston threw a lob from the right wing over