LSJ Blogs: Hey, Joe

Backspins at center court? Rad

At MSU practice Monday night, Kalin Lucas did not participate. He was getting some treatment on his right ankle.

Keane, Johnson, Merchant clean up

A certain women's basketball writer I know seemed convinced that Jantel Lavender was a lock, but the Big Ten announced today that MSU's Kalisha Keane has been named Big Ten Player of the Year by the coaches. (OK, so Lavender did win the media vote). Suzy Merchant is Coach of the Year (as expected), and Lykendra Johnson is Defensive Player of the Year.

'This isn't the Pistons'

Can you guess the primary topic of discussion at Tom Izzo's weekly presser today?

No answers here

Just when it looked like Michigan State was starting to figure things out...

Pronounced KEE-bler

Today, a closer look at just how Mike Kebler has gone from there to here. There being a well-rounded athlete – a throwback of sorts who had a variety of interests rather than one obsessive interest like you see more and more today – with barely any basketball recruiting profile. Here being a key player for MSU in the past few games and from now on, taking Korie Lucious’ minutes and doing good things with them.

Two days off do Roe, Green well

Tom Izzo decided to give the Spartans Thursday off after Wednesday's mandated day off, and he had a pretty fresh team practicing (for this time of year, at least) on Friday. The biggest beneficiaries are Delvon Roe, Draymond Green and Kalin Lucas.

Spartans at the NFL combine

Greg Jones, Mark Dell, Charlie Gantt and Chris L. Rucker are in Indy for the next few days at the NFL scouting combine, which will be updated (you can even watch the drills) frequently here.

Big Ten (outright) champs

Tough 54-53 loss for the MSU women's team to Ohio State, but Penn State's loss allowed the Spartans to celebrate the program's first outright Big Ten title before they left the building Thursday.

Chat at 10 a.m.; MSU-OSU at 6:30 p.m.

You can click right here to join the chat. And in advance of the MSU women's team's senior day/Big Ten outright title clincher opportunity tonight at Breslin, take a few moments to read about a senior with a special story and a special game. Plus a tipoff to go.

A few more quick thoughts from Minny

First, links. Just in case, the gamer. From the Minnesota perspective, a devastating loss. From this columnist's perspective, a collapse.