Friday, January 2, 2026

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Sports

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans defeat USA U-18 team 8-2 in exhibition

Monday’s game didn’t count statistically for the No. 9 MSU hockey team. It won’t affect the Spartans record, and individual stats won’t count towards season totals. But the MSU hockey team treated the exhibition game like they would a game that went down in the books. The result: much of the same for the Spartans, as they trounced the U.S.

FOOTBALL

Jones mulling early jump to NFL

San Antonio — Greg Jones has a big decision to make. The NFL could be calling for MSU’s consensus All-America junior linebacker and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year — and he’s going to listen. Jones told the media following Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl that he will sit down with his family and consider declaring for April’s NFL Draft. “We’re going to look at a lot of pros and cons,” Jones said.

FOOTBALL

Texas Tech heartache

San Antonio — A costly interception, combined with two critical fourth-down conversions late by the Red Raiders, were too much for MSU to overcome, as Texas Tech came back to hand the Spartans a 41-31 loss Saturday night at the Alamodome.

FOOTBALL

Nichol to play wide receiver, punt returner in bowl

San Antonio — Usually tight to the vest with everything, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio surprised many people Friday by announcing that backup quarterback Keith Nichol will line up as a wide receiver and return punts in Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas Tech.

ICE HOCKEY

Back on top

Detroit – After having one of the worst years in program history last season, winning trophies seemed to be a long ways away for the MSU hockey team entering this season. The Spartans proved otherwise Wednesday. MSU dismantled RPI 6-1 in the championship game of the 45th Annual Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena to win the MacInnes Cup. The tournament victory was the 12th for the Spartans and their first since 2006.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans advance to GLI final with dominating 10-1 win

Detroit — Entering the second half of the season, MSU head coach Rick Comley said he wanted to see scoring filter down through all of the Spartans’ lines. Sure, junior forwards Corey Tropp and Andrew Rowe, along with freshman forward Derek Grant, have proven they can score. But Comley said a key to success down the stretch of the season was finding offensive contributions from every player. And Comley got his wish in a big way in the No. 13 MSU hockey team’s first game back from the holiday break.

BASKETBALL

No. 2 Texas pulls away from MSU

In a flash Tuesday night, a series of plays epitomized the MSU men’s basketball team’s outing against Texas in Austin — its strengths muted while the Longhorns’ strong points flexed their muscles.

BASKETBALL

MSU's defense steps up in 67-59 win against St. Bonaventure

Suzy Merchant believes no Big Ten team has been tested like hers in the nonconference season. Monday’s game with St. Bonaventure was just another reason why. On the cusp of the top-25, the Bonnies came into Breslin Center unbeaten at 11-0 with several quality wins, so it was no surprise to anyone when they kept fighting back.