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• Spartans, Tar Heels to meet again in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

  Updated 04/22/2009 11:16pm

  The MSU men’s basketball team will take the floor with North Carolina for the third time in a calendar year and for the second consecutive year in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

  The two teams will meet in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Dec. 1 in the 11th rendition of the weeklong event that pits teams from each conference against one another.

• Iowa State loss still troubles MSU coach

  Updated 04/12/2009 8:19pm

  About 10 minutes after her team’s season-ending loss to Iowa State, MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant located a TV backstage at Haas Pavilion.

  For the first of what would prove to be many times, Merchant relived the anguishing final 87 seconds of the game.

  Since the March 28 loss, Merchant estimates she’s replayed the conclusion of the game at least 500 times.

• Looking back

  Updated 04/09/2009 10:55pm

  After an underwhelming first month of the season, sophomore guard Kalin Lucas emerged as MSU’s best player right in time for the Big Ten regular season.

• Reporter looks forward to next year's team

  Updated 04/09/2009 9:45pm

  One of the best things about sports is that there’s always next year (just ask Chicago Cubs fans). And while the MSU men’s basketball team had an unbelievable run to the national championship game, losing 89-72 to North Carolina on Monday night, it’s never too early to look ahead to the future.

• Most players returning in conference

  Updated 04/09/2009 9:45pm

  The 2008-09 college basketball season just ended, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season. With that being said, here’s an early look at how the Big Ten should stack up next season. Disagree? Send me your predictions at altmanal@msu.edu.

• Grades confirm successful 2008-09 season

  Updated 04/08/2009 7:00pm

  The MSU men’s basketball team ended its 2008-09 season in the national championship game Monday night, overcoming injuries, illnesses and naysayers throughout the season.

  With a final record of 31-7, this year’s team etched its name in the program record book with the third-most wins in program history.