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Jeff Hosler’s advice helped Kristen Kelsay navigate a breakthrough win, while a weekend of mutual support highlighted the connection among MSU's teams
Michigan State’s season has taken a frightening turn, but the numbers suggest the Spartans may still have a path out of their misery and into the postseason
Michigan State will host Northwestern on Oct. 17 at Spartan Stadium, and kickoff is set for noon ET. The Big Ten matchup will stream on Peacock. It's the Spartans' "Go Green, Wear White" game.Noon is the earliest start on Michigan State's schedule so far this season, ahead of the 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Wisconsin on Oct. 3. The Spartans host Illinois for Homecoming on Oct. 10 (3:30 p.m., FS1) before this game.Michigan State is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Spartans opened with a 30-20 win over Toledo and a 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan. They have since lost three straight: 27-10 at then-No. 3 Notre Dame, 31-13 to Nebraska, and 31-3 at Wisconsin.NU is 3-1 (1-1 Big Ten) under fourth-year coach David Braun, who signed a contract extension through 2031 in September. The Wildcats beat South Dakota State 34-18 and Colorado 41-7, then lost 29-23 at then-No. 5 Indiana, the defending national champion. On Friday they opened the new Ryan Field with a 34-13 win over Penn State, rushing for 413 yards. NU hosts Ball State on Oct. 10 before traveling to East Lansing.The game brings two reunions. NU quarterback Aidan Chiles made 20 starts for MSU in 2024 and 2025 before transferring to Evanston after Jonathan Smith's firing. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more against the Buffaloes, the final game at NU's temporary lakeside stadium used while Ryan Field was demolished and rebuilt, and he threw for 293 yards at IU. On the other sideline, Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald was a linebacker during his college career before later leading Northwestern for 17 years as the head coach before his firing in July 2023. This will be his first game against his former program.The teams have no common opponent so far this season.Michigan State leads the all-time series 41-18, including a 19-9 mark in East Lansing. The Spartans have won three straight in the series, most recently 38-21 in Evanston on Sept. 3, 2021. This will be the first meeting since then. The last game in East Lansing was a 29-20 MSU win on Nov. 28, 2020.
Michigan State’s season has taken a frightening turn, but the numbers suggest the Spartans may still have a path out of their misery and into the postseason
Michigan State will host Northwestern on Oct. 17 at Spartan Stadium, and kickoff is set for noon ET. The Big Ten matchup will stream on Peacock. It's the Spartans' "Go Green, Wear White" game.Noon is the earliest start on Michigan State's schedule so far this season, ahead of the 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Wisconsin on Oct. 3. The Spartans host Illinois for Homecoming on Oct. 10 (3:30 p.m., FS1) before this game.Michigan State is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Spartans opened with a 30-20 win over Toledo and a 35-7 win over Eastern Michigan. They have since lost three straight: 27-10 at then-No. 3 Notre Dame, 31-13 to Nebraska, and 31-3 at Wisconsin.NU is 3-1 (1-1 Big Ten) under fourth-year coach David Braun, who signed a contract extension through 2031 in September. The Wildcats beat South Dakota State 34-18 and Colorado 41-7, then lost 29-23 at then-No. 5 Indiana, the defending national champion. On Friday they opened the new Ryan Field with a 34-13 win over Penn State, rushing for 413 yards. NU hosts Ball State on Oct. 10 before traveling to East Lansing.The game brings two reunions. NU quarterback Aidan Chiles made 20 starts for MSU in 2024 and 2025 before transferring to Evanston after Jonathan Smith's firing. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more against the Buffaloes, the final game at NU's temporary lakeside stadium used while Ryan Field was demolished and rebuilt, and he threw for 293 yards at IU. On the other sideline, Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald was a linebacker during his college career before later leading Northwestern for 17 years as the head coach before his firing in July 2023. This will be his first game against his former program.The teams have no common opponent so far this season.Michigan State leads the all-time series 41-18, including a 19-9 mark in East Lansing. The Spartans have won three straight in the series, most recently 38-21 in Evanston on Sept. 3, 2021. This will be the first meeting since then. The last game in East Lansing was a 29-20 MSU win on Nov. 28, 2020.
The Spartans’ coach pointed to physical mismatches, missed opportunities, and defensive breakdowns against plays Michigan State had practiced
Tom Izzo recaps Michigan State's 89-59 exhibition victory versus Incarnate Word.
Tom Izzo has an idea of the kind of team he has, but upcoming exhibitions will begin to reveal his team's growth over the summer.
Michigan State’s plans to invest in Spartan football and improve Spartan Stadium have received a $10 million commitment from longtime university supporters Joe and Julie Serra.The commitment, designated to MSU’s FOR SPARTA initiative, is the largest gift the Serra family has made to the university. Their giving to Michigan State began in 1989, and the latest commitment extends a relationship spanning nearly four decades.Athletic director Dan Bartholomae said the department plans to direct the support toward improvements at Spartan Stadium. The announcement did not identify specific projects the commitment will fund.“Joe and Julie’s commitment is an incredible expression of trust in the future of Spartan Athletics, and I am grateful for their confidence in our team,” Bartholomae said. “We plan to direct their support toward improvements at Spartan Stadium, strengthening a place that means so much to our student-athletes, fans and generations of Spartans. Their generosity gives us an opportunity to invest thoughtfully in the experience we want to create at Michigan State.”The Serras cited their family’s connection to Michigan State and confidence in university President Kevin Guskiewicz and Bartholomae as reasons for the commitment.“Michigan State has been an important part of our family’s life for many years, and we are grateful for the friendships, experiences and memories we’ve shared through this university,” Joe and Julie Serra said in a joint statement. “We have great confidence in President Guskiewicz and are excited about the leadership Dan is bringing to Spartan Athletics. We believe there is a tremendous opportunity ahead for Michigan State. Spartan Stadium is a special place for our family and for so many Spartans, and we’re proud to make this commitment and help invest in its future.”Julie Serra is a Michigan State alumna and retired kindergarten teacher who has remained active in the Flint area community. Joe Serra is chairman of Fenton-based Serra Automotive, the family business his father, Albert, founded in 1973.Joe also serves on Guskiewicz’s Green and White Council, which brings business leadership into the university’s work to prepare students for their careers and strengthen Michigan’s economy.“Joe and Julie’s extraordinary generosity reflects a commitment to Michigan State that extends far beyond philanthropy,” Guskiewicz said. “They believe deeply in this university, our student-athletes and the power of MSU to make a difference.”FOR SPARTA is a $1 billion initiative supporting athletic facilities, the student-athlete experience, and opportunities across Michigan State Athletics. It is aligned with the university’s broader $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World fundraising campaign.Jacob Kirkham, senior vice president of the Spartan Athletic Foundation and executive senior associate athletic director, said the Serras’ commitment provides momentum for the athletics initiative.“We are grateful for their confidence in the direction of the department and for their willingness to step forward in such a meaningful way,” Kirkham said. “Their leadership helps build momentum as we invite others to invest in the future of Spartan Athletics.”
The 2026-2027 season begins Friday, Oct. 2, with the Spartans playing host to top 15 team Boston College for an exhibition. Here is a primer to get ready for the season!
In Part 2 of his one-on-one with Spartans Illustrated, Michigan State’s new AD discusses Spartan Ventures, communication, non-revenue sports, and honoring the 1965-66 football teams
On his first drive home since taking the job, MSU's new athletic director talks roster resources, Spartan Ventures, fundraising, and the future of Spartan Stadium
Beyond the ranking, how does Antonio Pemberton's game translate to Michigan State?
It is another victory for the Michigan State men's basketball program on the recruiting trail, as the Spartans earned a commitment from class of 2027 four-star center Jaydn Jenkins on Wednesday.Dushawn London of 247Sports was the first to report the news of Jenkins' commitment.Jenkins made an official visit to Michigan State during the weekend of Sept. 11, which also happened to be the program's annual "Grind Week" event. Several former Spartans returned to East Lansing to connect with current MSU players and recruits, and it seemingly made a strong impression on Jenkins. Joining Jenkins for an official visit during "Grind Week" was class of 2027 five-star point guard Antonio Pemberton, who recently committed to the Spartans as well.The Archbishop Wood High School (Warminster, Pennsylvania) standout also took official visits to Xavier and Georgetown. He was also considering an official visit to Ohio State. Jenkins canceled a planned trip to North Carolina State following his visit with the Musketeers.Jenkins ranks as the No. 60 overall prospect, No. 8 center and No. 1 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania in the 2027 class, according to both the 247Sports Composite rankings and the Rivals Industry rankings. In addition to the schools already mentioned, Jenkins had scholarship offers from Pittsburgh, Georgia, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and several others. The 6-foot-10, 220-pound Jenkins was offered by the Spartans in late June and MSU head coach Tom Izzo and his staff quickly made him a priority target.Jenkins also has a reported 7-foot-4-inch wingspan. He is considered by some analysts to be a prospect with NBA potential, but, obviously, he still has to develop his game and frame much further to reach that level.During the 2025-2026 season at Archbishop Wood, Jenkins averaged 9.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 3.7 blocks per game. He shot 62.1% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 66.1% from the free-throw line.In addition to playing prep ball at Archbishop Wood Team, Jenkins also played for Team Final on the Nike EYBL circuit. He averaged 9.0 points per game and 5.8 rebounds during Session IV of the Nike EYBL, according to thecircuithoops.com.Jenkins has built a strong reputation as one of one of the premier shot blockers and rim protectors in the 2027 class due to his size, length, mobility and anticipation.He also participated in the 2026 USA Men's Under-18 National Team training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado and in the 2026 Men's Junior National Team minicamp in Indianapolis in April.As Spartans Illustrated originally reported in the summer, Michigan State's plan was to add one center and one point guard to its 2027 recruiting class. The Spartans have done that with Jenkins and Pemberton. It is still possible that MSU looks to add a wing or another prospect to the class, but that remains to be seen.
The Michigan State men's basketball program has landed a commitment from one of the nation's top point guards.Class of 2027 five-star prospect Antonio Pemberton announced his pledge to Tom Izzo, associate head coach Doug Wojcik and the Spartans today, ending a highly-competitive recruitment that featured some of college basketball's biggest brands in the mix. The Masters Academy International (Stow, Massachusetts) star chose Michigan State over a final group that included Kansas, Tennessee, Creighton, Marquette, Ohio State, UCLA and Boston College.Pemberton's commitment comes just days after he completed an official visit to East Lansing during Michigan State's annual "Grind Week," one of the program's signature recruiting events where former players spend the week with the current team and recruits. It is one of the most unique events in all of college athletics. Of note, Pemberton is also former teammates with current Spartan, Kur Teng, while at Bradford Christian Academy and for Mass Rivals. This connection definitely played a factor in Pemberton’s final decision of Michigan State. During Michigan State football's recent victory over Eastern Michigan, I saw a full-court effort from the MSU men's basketball staff to make sure Pemberton felt prioritized. Former Spartan Jase Richardson spent a lot of time on the field with Pemberton, while current Spartans Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr and Kur Teng were always nearby Pemberton as well. The Spartans hosted Pemberton for what ultimately became the final official visit of his recruitment, and the trip appears to have solidified Michigan State's position at the top of his list. Shortly after Pemberton's trip to East Lansing, a report from Rivals' Joe Tipton surfaced that Pemberton had canceled planned visits to Ohio State and UCLA, fueling speculation that a decision was imminent.For Izzo and his staff, this commitment represents a major recruiting victory.Pemberton entered the fall as one of the most sought-after guards in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-1 point guard has earned national recognition as the No. 23 overall prospect in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and as one of the premier point guards in the country (ranking No. 5 nationally). Pemberton is also rated as the top prospect in Massachusetts, according to all three major recruiting services.Before making his decision, Pemberton took official visits to Tennessee, Kansas, Creighton and Michigan State, while also visiting Marquette and Boston College during the recruiting process. Schools such as UCLA and Ohio State remained heavily involved until late in the cycle, highlighting just how nationally-contested his recruitment became.Other schools that extended a scholarship offer to Pemberton include Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Utah, Clemson, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Maryland, Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Washington and many others.What Michigan State is getting is a dynamic offensive playmaker capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.Pemberton has built his reputation as a high-level shot creator who thrives with the ball in his hands. He possesses a polished handle, excels operating in pick-and-roll situations, and can create separation against defenders both on the perimeter and in the mid-range. His ability to score at all three levels has made him one of the most difficult guards in the class to contain.Playing on the Adidas 3SSB circuit for Mass Rivals this summer, Pemberton averaged 26.5 points, 5.7 assists 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, according to thecircuithoops.com. He was named MVP and Offensive MVP for Session III.There is also a clear long-term fit within the Spartans' program. As Michigan State continues to build for the future of its backcourt, Pemberton projects as a player capable of eventually running the offense and becoming one of the faces of the program. His competitiveness, toughness and willingness to embrace coaching align closely with the characteristics Izzo has historically valued in his point guards.The significance of the commitment goes beyond adding another talented prospect. Michigan State beat out blue-blood programs and conference rivals for a player many viewed as one of the premier guards in the 2027 class. Landing a recruit of Pemberton's caliber sends another message that Tom Izzo remains a national force on the recruiting trail.With Grind Week serving as the backdrop to the culture Izzo has created and providing the final impression, Michigan State got the result it was hoping for. Pemberton is headed to East Lansing, and the future of the Spartans' backcourt just became considerably brighter.
Michigan State’s season has taken a frightening turn, but the numbers suggest the Spartans may still have a path out of their misery and into the postseason
Michigan State ventures into Madison to face Wisconsin, while Dr. Green and White offers a field guide to surviving the wild Week 5 betting landscape.
Another familiar Michigan State loss leaves Dr. Green and White in a melancholy mood as he reviews the Week 4 betting results and updates the Big Ten and national college football picture.
A tough night in East Lansing leaves more questions than answers for the Spartans.
Breaking down the tape from the Spartans' Week 1 victory over the Rockets
Breaking down the game tape from the Spartans' 35-7 victory over the Eagles.
Spartans jump out to 7-0 lead, ride dominant outing from Aidan Donovan into Wednesday matchup with Iowa in Omaha
The Spartans are trying to hold on to the last spot in the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha
The Spartans remain in search of traction as they approach the heart of conference play
With Theryn Hallock healthy, a dynamic backcourt, and added size inside, the Spartans enter preseason practice focused on finding the right combinations
Michigan State women's basketball now has its full 2026-2027 schedule, as the conference revealed all 162 league matchups live on Big Ten Network Wednesday evening. The Spartans will play the standard 18-game conference slate, facing just intrastate rival Michigan both home and away while taking on the other 16 league members once apiece.The Spartans enter their fourth season under head coach Robyn Fralick and return six players from last year's roster that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and tying for sixth in the final Big Ten standings last season. Combined with nine newcomers to this year's squad, they will look to improve on the 23-9 finish last season that included an 11-7 league record.The full Big Ten schedule is available below:October GamesOct. 28 Michigan Tech (exhibition)November GamesNov. 3 ValparaisoNov. 7 at ToledoNo. 15 vs. OaklandNov. 15 at HarvardNov. 19 vs. Sacred HeartNov. 23 vs. Alcorn State (Emerald Coast Classic, Destin, Fl.)Nov. 24 vs. UT Martin/Virginia Tech (Emerald Coast Classic, Destin, Fl.)Nov. 29 vs. Eastern MichiganDecember GamesDec. 3 vs. MaineDec. 6 vs. Penn StateDec. 9 vs. MilwaukeeDec. 13 vs. DePaulDec. 19 vs. Gonzaga (Acrisure Classic, Palm Desert, Cali.)Dec. 29 at MichiganJanuary GamesJan. 1 vs. IowaJan. 7 at NorthwesternJan. 10 at NebraskaJan. 13 vs. OregonJan. 17 at IllinoisJan. 20 vs. WashingtonJan. 24 vs. IndianaJan. 28 at RutgersFebruary GamesFeb. 1 at MarylandFeb. 7 at Ohio StateFeb. 11 vs. PurdueFeb. 14 vs. MinnesotaFeb. 18 at USCFeb. 21 at UCLAFeb. 25 vs. WisconsinFeb. 28 vs. MichiganIncluding non-conference games, MSU will face up to 13 teams that appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament. That hinges on whether Virginia Tech ends up at the second opponent in the Emerald Coast Classic or not.The Spartans open Big Ten play at home against Penn State on Dec. 6, part of an opening weekend that sees the league tip off Saturday, Dec. 5. After a road trip to UM to close out December, MSU returns to Breslin Center to ring in the new year against Iowa on Jan. 1.League play then sends the Spartans out for a pair of true road games at Northwestern and Nebraska before a mid-January homestand against Oregon and Washington sandwiched around a trip to Illinois. MSU closes the month hosting Indiana before heading east to face Rutgers.February opens on the road with a visit to Maryland, followed by a trip to Ohio State. The Spartans then settle in at home for back-to-back games against Purdue and Minnesota before a stretch of West Coast road games at USC and UCLA. The home slate wraps up with Wisconsin before MSU closes the regular season on Feb. 28 by hosting the Wolverines, once again in a Sunday finale on Senior Day.Tipoff times and broadcast information for Big Ten games will be released at a later date. The Big Ten Tournament is set for March 3-7, 2027, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
WJR 760 AM remains the Detroit flagship of the Spartan Media Network through the 2030-31 athletic year
Michigan State’s season has taken a frightening turn, but the numbers suggest the Spartans may still have a path out of their misery and into the postseason
The Spartans will host the Wildcats for a noon start on Peacock.
The Spartans’ coach pointed to physical mismatches, missed opportunities, and defensive breakdowns against plays Michigan State had practiced
