Head coach Tom Izzo looks back at his team before receiving the NCAA Eastern Regional trophy March 28, 2015, during the East Regional round of the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight against Louisville at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. The Spartans defeated the Cardinals in overtime, 76-70.
The year 2015 has been one of the greatest years in the history of MSU Athletics -- one which has seen the first ever time a school will see its basketball team in a Final Four and its football team play in the College Football Playoff.
Along the way, the teams and athletes at MSU have given fans many memorable moments and performances to be proud of. Here's an attempt to boil those down to a top 10.
10) Historic season from Aerial Powers
It wasn't the season the MSU women's basketball team was looking for. The ladies finished just 16-15 in a injury-riddled 2014-15 season. However, for Aerial Powers, it was one of the greatest individual seasons in MSU women's basketball history. As a sophomore, Powers averaged 21.9 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Powers also broke the single season scoring record at MSU and earned All-first team Big Ten honors along the way.
9) Denzel Valentine's game-winner on Valentine's Day to beat Ohio State
It couldn't have possibly been any more fitting than this. MSU took the game, 59-56.
8) Jake Hildebrand has a season for the ages
What a year it was for MSU goaltender Jake Hildebrand. As a junior in the 2014-15 season, Hildebrand played every minute of every game for the Spartans, effectively earning himself a First-Team All-American selection, the Big Ten Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year awards, as well as Academic All-Big Ten honors. Hildebrand also finished the season with six shutouts, a .930 save percentage and 2.18 goals-against average.
7) Leah O'Connor becomes one of the most decorated athletes in MSU history
O'Connor entered her senior indoor and outdoor track campaigns already a national champion in the 2014 3,000 meter steeplechase, as well the 2014 team cross country championships. She left as inarguably one of the greatest MSU athletes ever. To cap off her career, O'Connor won the 2015 indoor mile national title in the second fastest time in NCAA women's history (4:27.18). In addition to that, O'Connor won three events at the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships (1,500 meters, 3,000 meter steeplechase, 5,000 meters) and notched a third place finish in the 2015 3,000 meter steeplechase national championships.
6) Denzel Valentine's triple-double vs. Kansas in Champions Classic
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With 9:34 to go in the Champions Classic, MSU trailed Kansas 61-50. Nevertheless, MSU senior guard Denzel Valentine willed his team to victory down the stretch. When it was all said and done, MSU won the game, 79-73, and Valentine finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists, becoming just the second player in the history of college basketball to record a triple-double against the Jayhawks. The first? Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
5) LJ Scott scores game-winning touchdown in the 2015 Big Ten Championship
All season long, MSU head Mark Dantonio talked about reaching higher. And at the end of a 9:04 minute, 22-play drive which covered 82 yards, freshman MSU running back LJ Scott punched it in from one yard out with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The score gave the Spartans a 16-13 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2015 Big Ten Championship and clinched MSU a spot in the College Football Playoff, where they'll take on Alabama on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m.
4) Michael Geiger's game-winning kick against Ohio State
Without the help of star senior quarterback Connor Cook, the Spartans went into Columbus and knocked off the Buckeyes, 17-14, sealed by this 41-yard kick by MSU junior kicker Michael Geiger.
3) MSU basketball's unlikely run to the 2015 Final Four
At some moments of the 2014-15 MSU basketball season, it looked as if the team might be headed to an NIT appearance. However, as he so often does, MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo got his boys together and the team made a Cinderella run to the 2015 Final Four as a No. 7 seed.
2) MSU's Cotton Bowl victory vs. Baylor
It was the first day of 2015 and the MSU football team made it a memorable one. The Spartans entered the fourth quarter trailing the Bears, 41-21, but scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come back and win, 42-41.
1) The Miracle in Ann Arbor
It was voted the best play of the 2015 College Football season by way of ESPN's Home Depot Awards presentation. With 10 seconds left in the game, Michigan appeared to be on its way to a 23-21 victory over MSU. However, a botched snap on a Michigan punt attempt allowed redshirt freshman defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson to scoop the ball up and run it in from 38 yards out to give the Spartans the miraculous 27-23 victory over the Wolverines.
