Cornerback Trae Waynes shows first round capabilities at NFL combine

The men's football team is coming off another Top-5 finish and the players that find themselves in the position to take the next step seem to be putting the school even further on the map. The Big Ten often gets a rep for having slower big body type athletes but there are several former Spartans setting the trails on fire at the NFL combine. Cornerback Trae Waynes is looking to be the second consecutive MSU corner taken in the first round of the NFL draft in as many years, as many know former Spartan Darqueze Dennard was the 24th overall pick.

Tom Izzo credits defense for close win at Illinois

In a Big Ten grinder, the defense of MSU men’s basketball carried the team to a timely 60-53 road win at Illinois.

Joe Lunardi moves MSU men's basketball up in latest bracketology article

Following its fourth straight win, MSU (19-8 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) is starting to work its way off of the NCAA tournament bubble. In Joe Lunardi's latest bracket for ESPN, the Spartans have moved up to a seven seed in the East region.

Men's tennis looking to improve during singles matches following weekend losses

By Matthew Argillander margillander@statenews.com The No. 60 men's tennis team (7-5 overall) will need to think hard about what held them back this weekend.

Ice hockey bounces back to earn split with Wisconsin

Men's basketball outlasts Illinois 60-53

The Spartans nearly let another sure win slip away, but an uncharacteristically strong night at the line helped MSU steal a road win from one of the best home teams in the Big Ten.  MSU (19-8 overall, 10-4 Big Ten) drained 17 of 20 free throw attempts to defeat Illinois, 60-53.

Women's basketball caps emotional senior day with upset over No. 19 Rutgers

Tears were shed and standing ovations were received before the opening possession occurred on Sunday.  Battling with  ACL tears on both of her knees, redshirt senior Madison Williams has spent the entirety of this season sitting on the bench, cheering for her teammates day in and day out.  But on the final home game of the year for the Spartans, Williams would get the nod from head coach Suzy Merchant to be slotted into the starting lineup.  Along with Williams, Kendra Lumpkin, seniors Kendra Lumpkin, Kelsey Kuipers, Anna Morrissey and Becca Mills were honored after the weekend matinee.

Halftime: Men's basketball leads Illinois 26-22

At halftime, MSU leads Illinois, 26-22. Senior forward Branden Dawson started the game off strong, muscling his way to the rim and finishing the lay-in despite a foul.

Women's basketball upsets Rutgers 70-60

Tears were shed and standing ovations were received before the opening possession occurred on Sunday.  Battling with an ACL on both of her knees, redshirt senior Madison Williams has spent the entirely of this season sitting on the bench, cheering for her teammates day in and day out.  But on the final home game of the year for the Spartans, Williams would get the nod from head coach Suzy Merchant to be slotted into the starting lineup.  Having her name called by the public address announcer brought the crowd to their feet in support of Williams, one of five seniors honored at the Breslin Center on Senior Day.  Despite losing the opening tip off and being immediately taken out by freshman Lexi Gussert, it was the one shining moment that Williams deserved after not seeing the court all season.  Still searching for that first quality win since their Dec.

Halftime: Women's basketball leads Rutgers 27-20

The Spartans supporters rose to their feet on two separate occasions before a single point was even scored.  Both times for a player who made her first appearance on the court this season.  Madison Williams, the senior who has been battling an ACL tear on both of her knees, got the start at center on Senior Day.

Ice hockey rebounds with 3-0 win over Wisconsin

MSU hockey (13-13-2, 7-5-2-2 Big Ten) rebounded from a 2-1 loss on Friday with a 3-0 shutout over Wisconsin (4-20-4, 2-10-2 Big Ten). Junior goaltender Jake Hildebrand finished with 31 saves and junior forward Ryan Keller notched two goals in the victory. Sophomore forward Thomas Ebbing added his third goal of the season, and junior captain Michael Ferrantino collected two assists.

Tickets go on sale for Big Ten women's basketball tournament

A complete turnaround for the Spartans since the end of last year has finally taken shape with three games remaining of the regular-season.  And it's not for the better.  Unlike the 2014 program who fought their way to the second round of the NCAA tournament before falling short to North Carolina, MSU's long and treacherous journey in hopes of receiving a bid at The Big Dance starts at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill, the site of the 2015 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.  If the season ended today, Suzy Merchant's squad would face last place Penn State in the first round as an 11th seed.

MSU ice hockey falls to Wisconsin 2-1

MSU hockey (12-13-2, 6-5-2-2 Big Ten) dropped a disappointing contest to a struggling Wisconsin (4-19-4, 2-9-2 Big Ten). The Badgers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two second period goals, and only sophomore forward Joe Cox could score in the third period on way to a 2-1 loss. Junior goaltender Jake Hildebrand finished with 16 saves on the night, while UW’s Joel Rumpel notched 33 saves in the Badgers victory.

Men's soccer looks to build upon past progress in 2015

The 2015 season will be a key year for MSU as a program, the team is losing several key pieces but the Spartans still have enough talent coming in and returning to be good again.

Men's basketball ready for rematch with Illinois

Three weeks ago, the men's basketball team hit rock bottom, suffering perhaps its worst loss of Big Ten season against Illinois at Breslin Center.

Men's tennis drops match to Memphis

The No. 60 men's tennis team the No. 22 Memphis Tigers Thursday evening on the Spartans home court. The match started with a very competitive set of doubles matches.

Women's golf begins season in California

Women’s golf shot a 304 in their first round of the season, at the Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

Ice hockey takes on Wisconsin this weekend in Madison

It’s been an unpredictable year so far for Big Ten hockey with many over performing teams and players.

Women's basketball ready to welcome No. 19 Rutgers to Breslin Center

To put the Rutgers' season into perspective, read the plot line of the Friday the 13th movie.  Rutgers, otherwise known as Jason Voorhees, the hockey mask wearing serial killer who stalks and torments camp counselors, is the metaphor to how well the first-year Big Ten conference participant have performed since joining the conference.    Just like Voorhees, the body count is towering this year for the Scarlet Knights, winners of eight of the last 10 games.

Following weekend tournament, MSU softball fourth in the Big Ten

Softball went 3-2 in the Florida Atlantic Tournament over the weekend, bumping their overall to 7-3.