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Michigan State basketball falls to Kansas in the Champions Classic

Michigan State goes ice cold and drops their Champions Classic match-up against Kansas

Michigan State basketball participated in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night with a match-up against Kansas. Unfortunately, the Spartans went ice cold from the floor and fell to the Jayhawks 77 to 69.

Honestly, it’s actually impressive that MSU only lost by 8. I know no one wants a moral victory after a frustrating loss, but Michigan State shot 3-for-24 from three on the night but still annoyed Kansas and hung around against the No. 1 ranked team in the country.

Frankie Fidler and Jaxon Kohler led the way in scoring for MSU, with 15 and 12 points respectively. For Kansas, Hunter Dickinson dropped 28 points.

This was a tough game for Jaden Akins as it looked like Kansas was determined to make his life miserable all night and force other players to beat them. He only had two points on the night, but, in his defense, the Jayhawks were very focused on him specifically.

Michigan State will have a chance to get back in the winning column on Saturday when they play Bowling Green.

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Champions Classic renewed through 2028-29 basketball season

The Champions Classic has been renewed through the 2028-29 season

The Champions Classic will continue. The annual event that features Michigan State, Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas in revolving match-ups has been renewed through the 2028-29 basketball season.

The news came the day of this year’s event, which included MSU vs. Kansas. Next year, the Spartans are scheduled to play Kentucky. This year, MSU was given some grief from fans of other teams for their inclusion in the event. This writer’s opinion is that this criticism is ridiculous.

John Fanta of CBB on Fox reported the news.

Michigan State women’s basketball gets votes in latest AP Poll

Michigan State is starting to get some recognition for their hot start in the AP Poll

Michigan State women’s basketball is undefeated to start the season and beating their opponents by an average of 55 points per game. For their efforts, the Spartans are starting to get some votes in the AP poll. MSU got 18 votes in the latest poll, good for No. 31 in the country.

MSU will be heavily favored in their next three games before they face their first big test of the season on November 26 against Cal.

Michigan State women’s basketball blows out Eastern Michigan for third win of the season

Michigan State women’s basketball has started the season about as good as you can hope. On Monday night, the Spartans earned their third straight win of the season, blowing out Eastern Michigan 95 to 49.

So far this season, MSU is beating their opponents by an average of 55.66 points per game and this one was no different.

Theryn Hallock led the way tonight with 18 points. Julia Ayrault and Ines Sotelo also added 13 points a piece.

The Spartans are starting to get some votes in the AP Poll and will be favored in their next few games.

Tom Izzo lists who he would like to replace him at Michigan State when he retires

Tom Izzo named a few people who he would like to replace him at Michigan State when he eventually retires

This offseason, fresh off a hip replacement surgery, Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo seemed like he found the fountain of youth and made a point to tell the media multiple times that he has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“I got no interest in getting out of it,” Izzo said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast, per Fan Duel’s Jon Rothstein. “When I’m done, I’m going to talk to Mateen Cleaves, Steve Smith, Magic Johnson, and Draymond Green. I don’t want to lose the culture that I’ve seen for 40 years as a GA on up. I think it’s being lost somewhat now in college sports. Not just for me, but the players who come back and are a part of things. At least here at Michigan State, it’s important. It may not be that way at other places.”

It would be a little hard to imagine 65-year old billionaire Magic Johnson taking over that job, and it’s also worth noting that Draymond Green said back in July that he doesn’t have any interest in coaching Michigan State. Then again, he could also just be referring to those four as people he will consult with after he retires and not who he actually thinks will directly replace him.

Jonathan Smith gives update on QB Aidan Chiles injury status for Michigan State vs. Illinois game

Jonathan Smith gave an update on his starting quarterback’s injury status for the Illinois game

Michigan State football starting quarterback Aidan Chiles went down with an injury in the Spartans’ loss to Indiana, but it appears that he will be available this weekend for MSU’s match-up against Illinois.

On Monday, head coach Jonathan Smith gave an update on Chiles in his weekly press conference. Smith said that Chiles practiced on Sunday should be good to go for Saturday, a very positive update for the Spartans.

Smith on injuries: Aidan Chiles practiced Sunday and appears to be full-go for Saturday. Optimistic on DE Anthony Jones. Malik Spencer and Charles Brantley's statuses will be determined during the week. All four got hurt vs. Indiana before the bye week.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 11, 2024

Highlights from Michigan State basketball’s win over Niagara

Michigan State basketball was able to weather was first half hot shooting from Niagara to handle business on Thursday night and pick up their second win of the season. Ultimately, the Spartans blew Niagara out 96 – 60 in the Breslin Center behind a career-best performance from Jaxon Kohler.

After the game, MSU put out the highlight reel from the game on their X.com account. As we’ve grown accustomed to seeing, this game featured another huge pair of dunks from Coen Carr and Jaden Akins which alone make this highlight video an especially great watch.

You can watch the video here:

Win #2 HIGHLIGHTS 📽️ pic.twitter.com/7gjNg4yneW

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 8, 2024

Michigan State safety gifted $40,000, trip to Disney, and car from Good Morning America

Good Morning America hooked up Armorion Smith and his family in a big way

At this point, I would think most people reading this know the story of Armorion Smith, the Michigan State football safety who has taken custody of his siblings after his family lost their mom this year. This week, Armorion was on Good Morning America, and they did some pretty awesome stuff for him and his family.

Host Michael Strahan showed Smith and his brother Armon a number of generous gifts, which included $40,000, a fully covered trip to Disney Land, and a brand new SUV. It was a great moment for someone who really deserved it.

You can watch the full video here.

Former MSU linebacker finding new life in NFL career as a fullback

A former MSU linebacker may have found a new long-term role as a fullback in the NFL

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a fringe linebacker make a move to fullback and excel quite like former MSU linebacker Ben VanSumeren has this year for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles definitely liked something about VanSumeren, as they kept him around the last few seasons, but this year, someone on the Eagles had the idea to use him as a fullback, and he has excelled in a big way.

VanSumeren has been credited with helping star running back Saquan Barkley break some huge runs, and he has shown some fantastic blocking skills out of the fullback position, something we don’t often see anymore in the pro game.

This account below, Last of the Fullbacks, broke down some of his excellent play in that position:

Eagles may have found themselves a legit fullback.

Converted LB Ben VanSumeren had himself a day at FB last week.

Great job targeting, tracking and squaring up defenders.@PHLEaglesNation #FlyEaglesFly #NFL pic.twitter.com/4U0u8hWx6b

— Last of the Fullbacks (@TheLastFullback) October 24, 2024

It’s always great to see a Spartan find a home in the NFL, but this story is awesome in a way that any football fan would likely appreciate.

Michigan State basketball forward named to Julius Erving Award watchlist

One Wednesday, less than a week from the start of the regular season, a Michigan State basketball forward was named to a prestigious watch list. Incoming transfer Frankie Fidler was named to the Julius Erving Award watch list, which honors the top small forward in college basketball.

A few weeks ago, Tom Izzo said that Fidler, who transferred in from Omaha, has been his most consistent player this offseason.

Julius Erving Award Preseason Watchlist honors for @FrankieFidler_ 💪 pic.twitter.com/fTzbaGoTfV

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) October 30, 2024