SPORTS

MSU sports push forward in spring postseason competitions

The State News Sports Desk

March 23, 2026

Michigan State’s spring sports teams are in full postseason swing with men’s basketball reaching the Sweet 16, hockey and gymnastics competing in the NCAA Tournament and other programs like tennis, golf and track posting standout performances. While some teams like softball and women’s tennis faced setbacks, several Spartans set records and achieved season-best marks, highlighting a strong overall showing across the athletic department.

SPORTS

MSU women’s tennis edged by UCLA 4-1 after tough West Coast stretch

Nandini Jaithalia

March 23, 2026

Michigan State secured a rare doubles point against UCLA but couldn’t sustain momentum as the Bruins dominated singles play in a 4-1 loss, especially after a tough loss to USC this weekend.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU women’s basketball season ends in Round of 32

Tyler Gaylord

March 23, 2026

Michigan State's women's basketball team delivered its best half of basketball in months, only to watch it slip away. A 42-37 halftime lead over No. 4 Oklahoma couldn't survive a third-quarter collapse, ending the Spartans' season in the Round of 32 and leaving the program one win short of its first Sweet 16 since 2009.

ICE HOCKEY

Adam Nightingale to coach Team USA at 2027 World Juniors

Audrey Dayton

March 22, 2026

Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale will be named head coach of the 2027 U.S. National Junior team.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey heads to NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, No. 3 overall

Audrey Dayton

March 22, 2026

Michigan State hockey earned a No. 3 overall seed and a No. 1 regional seed in the NCAA Tournament, marking its third consecutive appearance. The Spartans will face No. 4 seed Uconn on March 26, at 1:30 p.m.

BASEBALL

Jake Boss Jr. reaches 500 career wins in series victory over Iowa

Croix Green

March 21, 2026

MSU baseball continued its home opening series against the Iowa Hawkeyes in a double header Saturday, March 21st. The first game victory secured career win number 500 for head coach Jake Boss Jr. reaching a big milestone.

SPORTS

MSU gymnastics finishes second as UCLA dominates Big Ten Championships

Genevieve Henry

March 21, 2026

MSU gymnastics had a performance to remember in a highly competitive Championship meet, earning second place to an unstoppable UCLA team.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Coen Carr delivers in long-awaited breakout

Lucas Gentilia

March 21, 2026

Coen Carr has played every role for MSU in three years, today, he was the hero in MSU's Round of 32 win.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Kohler helps MSU dance to the Sweet 16

Kaspar Haehnle

March 21, 2026

Michigan State Men's Basketball advances to the Sweet 16 following its 77-69 victory over Louisville on Saturday. Aided by MSU's Jaxon Kohler's five point swing late in the second half, fast paced offense and solid perimeter defense, the Spartans win the weekend and await a new challenge in either Connecticut or UCLA.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU women's basketball survives Colorado State upset scare

Tyler Gaylord

March 21, 2026

No. 5 seed Michigan State women's basketball survived a shaky first half and a late deficit to escape No. 12 Colorado State 65-62, advancing to the round of 32. Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Blair each finished with 18 points to lead the way as the Spartans held on when CSU's corner three at the buzzer fell short.

BASEBALL

Donovan shines in MSU baseball shutout win over Iowa

Croix Green

March 20, 2026

MSU baseball took on Iowa in its home opener getting a big 2-0 shutout win over the Hawkeyes. This is the Spartans first shutout win of the season and it's largely thanks to pticher Aidan Donovan who had an incredible performance to help his team.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three factors MSU men's basketball needs to move past Louisville

Kaspar Haehnle  and  Lucas Gentilia

March 20, 2026

Michigan State faces Louisville on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. Its success relies on three factors: perimeter defense, core-four leadership and desperation.

ICE HOCKEY

Augustine named Mike Richter Award finalist for second-straight season

Audrey Dayton

March 20, 2026

MSU hockey's junior goaltender Trey Augustine was named a finalist for the 2026 Mike Richter Award, given to the best goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s college hockey. Augustine has been a finalist for the Mike Richter Award all three of his collegiate seasons, and is now a finalist for the second consecutive season. 

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Tom Izzo named to national coach of the year watchlist

Lucas Gentilia

March 20, 2026

MSU head coach Tom Izzo was named to the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Watch List on Friday afternoon.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU women's basketball opens NCAA Tournament play in Oklahoma

Tyler Gaylord

March 20, 2026

Michigan State women's basketball heads to Norman, Oklahoma, for the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed, where four teams with four distinct identities will compete for a single trip to Sacramento. The Spartans open against Mountain West champion Colorado State, a defensive powerhouse that could exploit MSU's recent offensive struggles. Looming on the other side of the bracket is No. 4 Oklahoma, a rebounding machine averaging nearly 87 points per game, and No. 13 Idaho, a mid-major Cinderella riding an 18-game winning streak. With the regular season behind them, all that matters now is who shows up when it counts.

FOOTBALL

Spartans put talent on display at MSU Pro Day

Croix Green

March 19, 2026

MSU hosted its annual Pro Day as seventeen players showcased their talents in front of NFL scouts. These Spartans look to continue their football career in professional leagues and got the chance to show people why they deserve to take that next step.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU faces tougher tests after NCAA Tournament win

Kaspar Haehnle

March 19, 2026

MSU advanced to the second round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Saturday, March 21, where it will face No. 6 seed Louisville.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU dominates NDSU in paint, shows potential in first-round win

Lucas Gentilia

March 19, 2026

MSU showed its full potential in its first round matchup, scurrying past North Dakota State 92-67.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU will need veteran leadership in first round vs North Dakota State

Lucas Gentilia

March 18, 2026

MSU is all set to face North Dakota State at 4:05 p.m. on Thursday. MSU's core four will be essential throughout the tournament.

SPORTS

Matthew Forbes earns Big Ten Men’s Tennis Player of the Week

Nandini Jaithalia

March 18, 2026

Michigan State sophomore Matthew Forbes earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors after clinching a historic upset over No. 1 Ohio State men's tennis and showcasing composure in an 11–9 tiebreak against Penn State men's tennis. He is now also ranked No. 11 nationally, solidifying his role as a key contributor this season.