Monday, January 5, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Sports | Volleyball 1000

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans set to take on Penn State on the road

After Wednesday’s game against Penn State (8-8 overall, 0-4 Big Ten), eight of the Spartans’ (14-3, 3-1) next 14 games come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. Of the final 15 games, eight come on the road, including historically tough venues at Wisconsin and Purdue.

ICE HOCKEY

Column: Large crowds inspire hockey team at home

Record be what it might, this season’s MSU hockey fans are a group that just won’t quit. The crowd has supported MSU (6-13-3 overall, 5-10-1-0 CCHA) through its four wins at home as excitedly as it did for its four home losses.

BASKETBALL

Izzo, players call for more consistent play

As men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo spoke to the media, he described the No. 18 MSU men’s basketball team (14-3 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) as a group of “grinder kids” that battle through close games by playing to the level of their competition, something he isn’t particularly thrilled about.

BASKETBALL

Izzo: Social media can be negative, distracting for players

As much as modern society moves towards a new world order of social media, Tom Izzo still isn’t buying it. Izzo doesn’t like Twitter — a sentiment he attempts to pass along to his players. Izzo’s not impressed by the many photo filters of Instagram. Don’t look for the 18-year head coach on Pinterest, either.

SPORTS

Gymnastics freshmen battle nerves in first MSU meet

The first time freshman Nicola Deans stepped on to the floor as a member of the MSU gymnastics team, it was an experience different from anything she ever thought it could be. She explained competing in college is totally different than competing in high school or at the club level, adding more nerves to her first meet of the season.

ICE HOCKEY

Hildebrand gets CCHA goalie of the week nod

In a season filled with ups and downs, one thing has remained consistent for the MSU hockey team: Jake Hildebrand’s goaltending. For the first time in his MSU hockey career, the freshman goaltender received acknowledgement for his performance by the CCHA — earning CCHA’s Warrior Goaltender of the Week.

ICE HOCKEY

Ice hockey splits series with Notre Dame

Saturday night, the MSU hockey team took a collective sigh of relief. After winning only one of the past 10 games — two of which were ties — the Spartans (6-13-3 overall, 5-10-1-0 CCHA) headed into this weekend against No.

ICE HOCKEY

Hockey falls to Notre Dame 1-0 at home

Hockey, like many sports, is a game that can be considered a “game of inches.” As MSU hockey (5-13-3 overall, 4-10-1-0 CCHA) senior forward Chris Forfar put it, an inch in one direction can make the game work in your favor, but it could just as easily work that way for the other team.

ICE HOCKEY

Ice hockey loses to Notre Dame 1-0

In the first half of the series between the two, Notre Dame beat MSU, 1-0. A series of penalties in the first period resulted in MSU sophomore forward Brent Darnell being sent off the ice for the game with a 5-game major and a game misconduct.