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Sports | 1117

FOOTBALL

MSU football lands 18 high school recruits for 2026 class

Tyler Gaylord
December 8, 2025

Michigan State’s recruiting class survived a chaotic coaching transition as new head coach Pat Fitzgerald arrived just two days before National Signing Day. Despite the late change, MSU held onto 16 of its 20 committed recruits and added key flips to finish with the No. 46 class. With headliners Collin Campbell and Kayd Coffman on board and four-star Samson Gash waiting until February, the Spartans now turn to the transfer portal to shape next season’s roster.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Fears struggles from field as MSU falls to No. 4 Duke

Lucas Gentilia
December 6, 2025

MSU struggled offensively as starting guards Jeremy Fears Jr. and Kur Teng combined for 0-for-15 from the field, though Fears contributed 13 assists and perfect free-throw shooting. Senior center Carson Cooper led the way with 16 points and 16 rebounds, supported by Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr, but the Spartans’ scoring woes prevented them from gaining an edge.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

MSU basketball falls to Duke and its late-game zone defense

Kaspar Haehnle
December 6, 2025

Michigan State battled Duke in a back-and-forth game but ultimately fell 66–60 after struggling late on offense and failing to counter Duke’s effective zone defense. Despite strong individual efforts — including Cooper’s standout defense on Cameron Boozer — the Spartans couldn’t maintain their early rhythm, leaving them close, but not close enough.

SPORTS

MSU receives record-breaking $401 million commitment

Croix Green
December 5, 2025

Michigan State University received a historic $401 million commitment from Greg and Dawn Williams, the largest gift in its history and one of the biggest ever to college athletics, with funds supporting the FOR SPARTA athletics initiative, Spartan Ventures and key academic programs. The investment is expected to transform MSU’s athletic competitiveness, strengthen academic excellence and shape the university for generations.

SPORTS

Spartans impress with new faces and strong showings across the board

The State News Sports Desk
December 4, 2025

MSU sports delivered one of its wildest weeks yet. Football snapped a historic losing streak, then fired Jonathan Smith and hired Pat Fitzgerald within 48 chaotic hours. Men’s basketball dominated its Big Ten opener, women’s basketball won a tournament in the Bahamas to stay unbeaten and hockey rolled into a No. 1 showdown with rival Michigan. Women’s soccer’s record-breaking run ended in the Elite Eight, volleyball wrapped its season with mixed highs and lows, and winter sports like track & field and wrestling are just getting started.

ICE HOCKEY

No. 3 MSU hockey set for series against rival No. 1 Michigan

Audrey Dayton
December 4, 2025

For the 13 newcomers on the Spartan hockey roster, this weekend will serve as an introduction to rivalry hockey. No. 3 Michigan State hockey will take on No. 1 Michigan, splitting home ice. The Spartans will host Game 1 of the series on Friday, Dec. 5 in Munn Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network. MSU enters the series 11-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in Big Ten play. Similarly, Michigan holds a 15-3-0 record, 6-2-0 in conference action. Michigan's scoring offense ranks No. 1 in the country and MSU will need to limit scoring opportunities, playing smart, hard and fast.

FOOTBALL

Inside Pat Fitzgerald's $30 million contract and incentives

Kaspar Haehnle
December 3, 2025

Michigan State football has hired Pat Fitzgerald as its new head coach, and recently the terms and details of Fitzgerald's contract has come to light. The contract includes base salary, supplemental pay and heavy incentives that could make Fitzgerald one of the highest paid coaches in all of college football.