It as been a banner year for MSU athletics, with performances from so many great athletes the sports staff at The State News decided to draft a team of athletes that could compete with any college team in the country.
Baseball: Ryan Krill
Ryan Krill has been part of the senior leadership group that has the Spartans sitting at No. 6 in the Big Ten. Krill is batting .322 with six home runs and 38 RBI and has earned the praise of head coach Jake Boss Jr.
“He’s a big, strong guy who is able to hit for some power,” he said. “That’s what we need, especially at the top of the order.”
Men’s basketball: Travis Trice
The graduating guard was one of the biggest parts of MSU’s Final Four run. After a career of injuries, Trice caught fire in the Big Ten Tournament and carried it over to the NCAA Tournament.
Trice was the emotional leader of perhaps the most improbable group of Spartans to make the Final Four under head coach Tom Izzo.
Hockey: Jake Hildebrand
The most valuable player of the hockey team this season was in net for the Spartans. Hildebrand shined once again this season, leading the nation in save percentage (.947) after January 1.
“He showed a poise and a level of confidence that allowed him to have success and really built the confidence of his teammates and coaching staff around him,” head coach Tom Anastos said.
Women’s basketball: Aerial Powers
In a season that could have gone better for the women’s basketball team sophomore forward Aerial Powers was a bright spot. She broke program records in total points and rebounds this season.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of the future in terms of records and things like that,” head coach Suzy Merchant said to msuspartans.com. “If there isn’t a female in the rafters, that kid should be one eventually someday.”
Softball: McKenzie Long
Softball has had a hard season so far, but positivity can be found in the emergence of freshman McKenzie Long as a reliable offensive threat.
Long has hit .320 this season with four home runs and 25 RBI, making her the most sure-fire bet to get a hit this season.
