Michgan State's Top Ten of the 2000s: #10 - #6

So many possibilities.. So many options.. With a school like Michigan State,  to try to narrow down major sports accomplishments, moments, or personalities into a list of only Ten..  is at best difficult and daunting.  But, narrow down we did, with the help of about 20 suggestions sent into the Blog.  We are 100% positive we are overlooking some very important additions…  So still send them in…

So lets get to it….  First: #10 - #6…

#10: Ryan Miller: 2001 Hobey Baker Memorial Award
Not only SpartyMSU but the State News voted him to the all Decade Team…  He comes from a long line of hockey players.. His cousin Kip Miller won the Hobey Baker in 1990.. 26 career shutouts.. CCHA's Goaltender of the Year for three seasons, and the CCHA’s league MVP twice.  He still is playing in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabers…

#9: Domata Peko 74 yard fumble return against Michigan Chad Henne.
I was in the Stands for this one, and it is one of my all time favorite plays. The emotion of the game, the emotion of the play left SpartyMSU with this burned in his brain forever..  I have not since been witness to a more satisfying play from the stands..

#8: Men’s  Soccer… 2008 Regular Season and Big Ten Tournament Champs…
Indiana has had a lock on this for years.. the Spartans broke that in final regular-season game for head coach Joe Baum.   Great achievement for coach Baum to go out with this under his belt..  Hope this is the start of something special for MSU in the worlds most popular sport..

Overall: 11-8-2  Conf: 2-4-0  Home: 6-3-1  Away: 1-4-1  Neut: 4-1-0

            TEAM STATISTICS                    MSU          OPP
            ---------------------------------------------------
            SHOT STATISTICS..........
              Goals-Shot attempts....       28-215       19-257
              Goals scored per game..         1.33         0.90
              Shot pct...............         .130         .074
              Shots on goal-Attempts.       92-215      101-257
              SOG pct................         .428         .393
              Shots/Game.............         10.2         12.2
              Assists................           33           21
            CORNER KICKS.............           89           94
            PENALTY KICKS............          0-0          1-1
            PENALTIES................
              Yellow cards...........           27           41
              Red cards..............            0            1
            ATTENDANCE...............
              Total..................         9402         5546
              Dates/Avg Per Date.....       10/940        6/924
              Neutral Site #/Avg.....        5/296

#7

..... #23 Javon Ringer.
Current Tennessee Titian player had a fabulous career at MSU.
Total College stats: Total yards 4398,  843 attempts, 44  games played, and 34 Tds
In 2008: 1637 yards, 390 attempts, 22 Tds… Big year for him at MSU..
Besides this, he was an articulate, kind man. Who unselfishly gave credit to his family and fellow players.  He is what I wish all MSU players to emulate in personality, and commitment to his team, family, community and faith.

#6

:  2009 NCAA Championship game in Detroit..
Local team plays in the Final Four, in Detroit…  Plays in front of an largely Pro Spartan home town crowd..   This team had an amazing run.. and the toughest bracket to run through.. Before they got to the final championship game they had to beat 2 other #1 seeds, they were underdogs against: #1 Louisville, #1 Connecticut, and Kansas…  The beat them on guts, and smart play.  Ending the season with a 31 – 7 record.   High praise for these guys.. 00 Idong Ibok,  1 Kalin Lucas, 2 Raymar Morgan, 3 Chris Allen,  5 Travis Walton, 10 Delvon Roe, 13 Austin Thornton, 14 Goran Suton, 15 Durell Summers, 20 Mike Kebler, 23 Draymond Green, 25 Jon Crandell, 22 Isaiah Dahlman, 34 Korie Lucious, 40 Tom Herzog, 41 Marquise Gray.

Many games they came from behind to our rebound and score their opponents in the second half. What a year.. what a run they had… And to finish it up in Detroit.. almost a Home game.. was fantastic…

NEXT Up...   
      #5  to the #1 Spartan Sports Memory of the first Decade - the 2000s -


Sparty On !!!