Thursday, January 8, 2026

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

Sports

SPORTS

Knull named field hockey coach

After five years as an assistant and associate head coach, Helen Knull will be taking over as head coach of the MSU field hockey team, MSU announced Monday. She is replacing Rolf van de Kerkhof, who announced he was leaving MSU on Dec. 15 to become the head coach at Delaware.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans lacking statement win, identity

During MSU’s run of six Final Fours in the last 12 years, anyone who knows anything about basketball has learned to never doubt a Tom Izzo-led basketball team in November or December. But after watching the No. 12 Spartans lose to No. 18 Texas, 67-55, Wednesday night at Breslin Center, it’s becoming harder and harder to believe in this MSU basketball team’s chances at a long run in March.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans crack under world-record pressure

Ann Arbor, Mich. – On one of the biggest stages college sports has ever seen, the MSU hockey team couldn’t perform. In front of 113,411, MSU was manhandled by a vastly superior Michigan team in a 5-0 loss. What a way to go into the record books.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans survive scare against Oakland, 77-76

Auburn Hills, Mich. – The No. 7 MSU men’s basketball team may have been favored against in-state foe Oakland, but the Spartans found themselves in a 40-minute dogfight against the defending Summit League champion Golden Grizzlies, winning, 77-76, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

FOOTBALL

Capital matchup

As expected, Mark Dantonio and his No. 7 MSU football team were denied a BCS bid in favor of fellow conference champions Ohio State and Wisconsin. And yet, when the Spartans take on No. 15 Alabama in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011, in Orlando, Fla., Dantonio said he believes it will be MSU’s bowl game that is the best matchup involving any Big Ten team, including the Rose and Sugar bowls.