Friday, January 2, 2026

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Sports

FOOTBALL

MSU tight end to Play Senior Bowl

MSU senior tight end Kellen Davis has been selected to play in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl, a pre-draft game that features the country’s top NFL draft prospects. Davis is one of the top 100 college seniors chosen as NFL draft prospects.

ICE HOCKEY

Trash talking heats up between MSU, U-M

Although he’s a native of the Buffalo area, senior forward Chris Mueller has become fully assimilated into the MSU vs. U-M rivalry. Mueller even admitted exchanging text messages with U-M forward Danny Fardig early this week — but none were of the discussible nature.

BASKETBALL

Izzo looking for more cohesion

When all the stars align, the Spartans can run with just about anybody in the country, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said. But when he talks about everyone contributing, he means from top to bottom — from the starting five to the assistant coaches.

BASKETBALL

Young Spartans lacking leadership

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is still searching for a leader. With nine underclassmen filling the Spartans’ roster, it has been a struggle for Merchant to uncover a leader on the young squad.

BASKETBALL

'Bigs' are key to Spartan victory

After MSU’s victory against Ohio State last week, Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta admitted a secret. He said while they’d never just give away a basket, they were willing to allow MSU’s big men some open jump shots.

BASKETBALL

Spark plug

MSU women’s basketball head coach Suzy Merchant has found a diamond in the rough. Takeya Fortner, a 5-foot-9-inch sophomore guard, has picked a time to shine when the team needs it most. With the loss of key players due to injuries and graduation, Merchant saw the potential hidden in Fortner once the Big Ten season started.

BASKETBALL

'Bizarre' turnovers must stop

There are some turnovers MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo can deal with. If an opposing player makes a tough steal or if the defense holds tight for the full shot clock and MSU has a tough time getting a good look, he’s OK with that.

BASKETBALL

Breakdown

The MSU men’s basketball team left Iowa City, Iowa, with their tails between their legs — but the Spartans couldn’t be more jacked for 4 p.m. Sunday, when they head to Williams Arena in Minneapolis to battle Minnesota.

SPORTS

Prognosticators

The skilled and insightful prognosticators prognosticate all that they can for today’s issue of The State News!