Nick Ward
Rutgers' Jacob Young, right, drives against Michigan State's Thomas Kithier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Winston scores 23 points, No. 11 Michigan State tops Rutgers

By Larry Lage Dec. 08, 2019 09:34 PM EST

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts to play against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
No. 11 Michigan State fragile ahead of game with No. 10 Duke

By Larry Lage Dec. 02, 2019 07:05 PM EST

FILE - In this April 6, 2019, file photo, Michigan State's Cassius Winston (5) drives against Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver during the second half in the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament in Minneapolis. Michigan State senior guard Cassius Winston, Marquette guard Markus Howard, Louisville junior forward Jordan Nwora, Seton Hall senior guard Myles Powell and Memphis freshman James Wiseman headline The (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
No. 1 Michigan State will find out soon how it stacks up

By Larry Lage Oct. 23, 2019 05:08 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo listens to a question at a press conference during the Big Ten conference NCAA college basketball media day Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Izzo welcomes expectations for 1 of top Michigan State teams

By Larry Lage Oct. 15, 2019 07:23 PM EDT

Michigan State's Cassius Winston (5) drives against Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver during the second half in the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Michigan State star Winston coming back, Ward leaving

Apr. 19, 2019 05:08 PM EDT

Virginia players celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in the overtime in the championship of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Federal probe, Virginia's reign top 2019-20 storylines

By Aaron Beard Apr. 09, 2019 02:00 PM EDT

Michigan State's Xavier Tillman, right, takes a shot over Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver during the second half in the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, April 6, 2019, in Minneapolis. (Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images via AP, Pool)
Izzo should have much of Michigan State Final 4 team back

By Larry Lage Apr. 07, 2019 04:44 PM EDT

Texas Tech's Davide Moretti (25) warms up during a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Things to know for the NCAA Tournament's Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 06, 2019 02:22 AM EDT

The Connecticut band performs during the first half of the team's Final Four semifinal against Notre Dame in the NCAA women’s college basketball Friday, April 5, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Final Four - Game 2 (win) at Final Four - Game 1 (win) 4/7/2019

Apr. 05, 2019 09:56 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo holds up the NCAA men's East Regional Championship trophy after defeating Duke in a college basketball game in Washington, Sunday, March 31, 2019. Michigan State won 68-67. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Michigan State's Tom Izzo may have done best job of career

By Larry Lage Apr. 05, 2019 03:09 AM EDT

Auburn's Samir Doughty (10), Myles Parker (20) and Horace Spencer (0) get a ride after a practice session for the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Been there, done that: Experienced teams fill the Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 04, 2019 04:00 PM EDT

Auburn's Bryce Brown (2) celebrates during the second half of the Midwest Regional final game against Kentucky in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Sunday, March 31, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A guide to the teams, players and coaches at the Final Four

By John Marshall Apr. 04, 2019 03:25 AM EDT

Michigan State guard Matt McQuaid, left, guard Cassius Winston, forward Aaron Henry, forward Xavier Tillman and forward Kenny Goins walk to an NCAA men's college basketball individual news conferences in Washington, Saturday, March 30, 2019. Michigan State plays Duke in the East Regional final game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Michigan State's Winston has chance to join Magic and Mateen

By Larry Lage Apr. 03, 2019 06:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, March 23, 2019 file photo, Michigan State's Xavier Tillman (23) looks to pass the ball against Minnesota's Daniel Oturu (25) during the second half of a second round men's college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, in Des Moines, Iowa. Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman has been forced to grow up fast on and off the court. The sophomore went from being a role-playing reserve to a key starter when Nck Ward broke his left hand late in the regular season. Tillman became a father as a senior in high school and lives with his 2-year-old daughter and fiancee in a two-bedroom apartment near the school’s basketball arena. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Michigan St's Tillman forced to grow up fast on, off court

By Larry Lage Apr. 02, 2019 08:20 PM EDT

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett celebrates after defeating Purdue 80-75 in overtime of the men's NCAA Tournament college basketball South Regional final game, Saturday, March 30, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Final Four field boasts tough defenses, veteran lineups

By Aaron Beard Apr. 01, 2019 03:19 AM EDT

Auburn's Chuma Okeke grabs his leg after being injured on his way to the basket during the second half of a men's NCAA tournament college basketball Midwest Regional semifinal game against North Carolina, Friday, March 29, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
TIPPING OFF: Krzyzewski-Izzo matchup highlights Elite Eight

By The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2019 02:37 AM EDT

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo listens during an NCAA men's college basketball news conference in Washington, Saturday, March 30, 2019. Michigan State plays Duke in the East Regional final game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Duke vs. Michigan State is battle of NCAA Tournament titans

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 30, 2019 06:03 PM EDT

Kentucky's PJ Washington (25) passes over Houston's Cedrick Alley Jr. and Houston's Breaon Brady (24) during the first half of a men's NCAA tournament college basketball Midwest Regional semifinal game Friday, March 29, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Injury questions linger for teams headed to regional finals

By Aaron Beard Mar. 30, 2019 03:01 AM EDT

LSU guard Tremont Waters shoots over Michigan State guard Cassius Winston (5) during the first half of a semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament East Regional in Washington, Friday, March 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Freshmen lead Michigan State past LSU and into Elite Eight

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 29, 2019 09:28 PM EDT

LSU guard Tremont Waters gestures after scoring against Michigan State during the second half of a semifinal in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament East Regional in Washington, Friday, March 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Michigan State Spartans at Duke Blue Devils 3/31/2019

Mar. 29, 2019 08:41 PM EDT