Tag: msu

WATCH: Mark Dantonio gives farewell address at MSU/Penn State Basketball game

Mark Dantonio, former Michigan State Football head coach, addressed the MSU Basketball crowd during halftime. Watch this clip here.

Today, Mark Dantonio shocked the world with his resignation. He also addressed the home crowd during Michigan State Basketball’s game against Penn State. As always, Dantonio was straight to the point with his farewell address

Watch Dantonio speak to the crowd below:

Fans and former players reacted all over social media to Dantonio’s resignation. He retires as the most winningest coach in Michigan State Football history and also a Rose Bowl champion. I’m glad Dantonio said goodbye to the fans at this game. Plus, watching Dantonio and Izzo chop it up on the sidelines is always such a treat.

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Mark D’Antonio Steps Down at Michigan State

That one loss in 2013 was of course in South Bend, a 17-13 Notre Dame win.

If you’ve paid attention to Michigan State football and their athletic department today’s news that Mark D’Antonio has stepped down as head football coach isn’t really a shock.

A victim of his own success where 11-plus win seasons became the standard in the early part of last decade, D’Antonio’s Sparty Party has come to an end after a couple of 7-6 seasons and a 3-9 run in recent years.

It’s hard to believe that some of the well-known issues in the Michigan State athletic department don’t play into this, whether it’s the disgusting happenings of Larry Nasser or the recent recruiting allegations that have popped up in his program.

I discussed the chances of this happening last fall on the College Football News Podcast with Pete Fiutak. I just thought it would happen in January, not hours before national signing day.

I said just above it’s not a shock that he’s not back in 2020, but it is shocking he leaves in early February.

So why now is the question?

A few ideas of why now makes sense to me:

1. He just picked up a four million dollar bonus from the university. I have no idea if he’ll have to pay it back (I’d assume so without seeing any of the actual contract) but I’d probably sit around in a job I have no interest in for an extra 40 bucks, now go and add five more zeroes to that.

2. Who is the replacement? It’s not exactly the prime time to go searching for a big time candidate. Chances I would think are high that someone already on his staff would at least get a shot for a year like Luke Fickell at Ohio State in 2011.

3. Pulling a Pete Carroll? I always associate running from issues with the NCAA with how Pete Carroll exited USC after 2009. Punishments coming? Get him to Seattle immediately. Same story here without the leap to the NFL? I don’t believe so but it’s at least worth discussing.

D’Antonio finishes his run at Michigan State 115-57 overall and 63-39 in Big Ten play. Those 115 wins are the most in program history.

D’Antonio’s resume includes 12 bowl appearances in 13 seasons with the Spartans, three Big Ten championships, and a 13-1 season in 2013 that resulted in not just a conference title but also a Rose Bowl Championship.

That one loss in 2013 was of course in South Bend, a 17-13 Notre Dame win.

D’Antonio finishes with a 4-5 record against Notre Dame in his time at Michigan State.

Now the question becomes does the job go to a current assistant or does it go to a former D’Antonio staffer like Pat Narduzzi or Like Fickell?

And is there more to the recent allegations that led to this? No doubt plenty more to come. Stay tuned.

MSU Basketball vs. OU: Three Things To Watch

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

MSU Basketball vs. OU: Three Things To Watch

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

MSU Basketball vs. OU: Three Things To Watch

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

Here are three things to watch for in MSU vs. OU Gabe Browns offensive production while Rocket Watts is out If Aaron Henry can get out of his shooting slump and get back on defense Michigan State must defend better down low and avoid silly tick-tack fouls

MSU Football vs. Maryland: Three Things To Watch

Michigan State Football has its final regular season game against Maryland this Saturday, Nov. 30. Here are three things to watch.

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The Michigan State Football regular season finale is upon us. The Spartans are set to take on the Maryland Terpins this Saturday, Nov. 30. For many fans, this game comes as a sign of relief.

Here are three things to watch:

Bowl Eligibility

MSU must win this game against Maryland to become bowl eligible. This would be the twelfth time in Mark Dantonio’s tenure as head coach. Note, he has been the Spartans head coach for 13 years. This year was not as enjoyable as the others. A win against Maryland puts MSU at 6-6 on the year. On the other hand, a loss puts them back at rather pitiful 5-7 on the year.

Fan Reaction

Fan reaction to a Maryland loss is rather easy to predict. On the other hand, fan reaction to a Maryland win is certainly unpredictable. Will fans be happy? Does bowl eligibility matter given their deflating performances all year long?

If I had to guess, I’d say bowl eligibility is met with strong apathy. Unfortunately, many fans will not care. Furthermore, I think fans react with vitriol to a bowl game loss. I hope, for Dantonio’s sake, MSU finishes strong against Maryland and the potential bowl game opponent who comes after. This will at least guarantee some favor in the eyes of fans until next year.

Signs Of The Future

Despite the negativity surrounding this season, there are positive signs for the future all around. In particular, there are positive signs on the Football field. All three freshman RB’s will likely improve heading into next year. Most notable is Elijah Collins, a proven stud. Collins racked up numbers this year even though the offensive line suffered numerous injuries.

C.J Hayes returns next year as does Cody White. Behind them, the receiving core features Jalen Nailor and Tre Mosley. That is a solid group of young receivers to pair with a new QB. If MSU blows out Maryland, we might even see someone besides Brian Lewerke at QB.

Firing a head coach is easier said than done. Especially when there is no viable replacement. Let’s pump the brakes on the Dantonio talk until the start of next season.

Tune in Saturday at 3:30 P.M. on FS1 to cheer on the Spartans. Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

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MSU Basketball set to play in 2020 Orlando Invitational

Michigan State Basketball will headline the 2020 Orlando Invitational. Read more about the details for next year’s invitational even here.

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Michigan State Basketball is set to play in the 2020 Orland Invitational. This news comes on the heels of the Spartans last game in the 2019 Maui Jim Maui Invitational. The other teams set to play in the Orland Invitational include Siena, St, Louis, Gonzaga, Boise State, Auburn, Belmont, and Xavier.

Here is an official tweet from MLive’s Kyle Austin:

No surprise MSU basketball has a spot in next year’s Orland Invitational. This should be expected when you are a top-tier collegiate basketball program and boast a legacy coach. What shame we won’t see Tom Izzo in a Hawaiian shirt next year…or will we?

Michigan State Basketball squares off against rival Duke on Dec. 3. Don’t forget, Draymond Green’s jersey retirement ceremony is set for this game.

As always, stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage of Spartan’s Basketball.

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MSU basketball victorious over UCLA Bruins: Twitter Reactions

Michigan State Basketball enjoyed a 75-62 victory over the UCLA Bruins. Here are a handful of twitter reactions to his game.

Michigan State Basketball ended the 2019 Maui Jim Maui Invitational experience with a victory over the UCLA Bruins, 75-62. The Spartans struggled in the first half but walked away with a nice win. Cassius Winston ended the game with 20 points and four assists.

Here are a handful of Twitter reactions to this game:

Michigan State is set to face Duke on Dec. 3 at 9:30 P.M. You can catch all of the action on ESPN. Most importantly, this is the Draymond Green Jersey retirement ceremony. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to honor one of my favorite Spartans.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

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Game Recap: MSU Basketball defeats UCLA 75-62

Michigan State Basketball defeats the UCLA Bruins 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. Here is a quick game recap.

Maui wowie, what a game! Michigan State defeates UCLA 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. The Spartans pulled away late in the second half. No question that MSU did not meet fan expectations in this particular game and the tournament as a whole.

Here is a quick game recap:

First Half

Michigan State really struggled early on, mostly due to UCLA’s defense. The Bruins played tough defense against the Spartans around the rim. MSU players had extreme difficulty getting into the paint. On the bright side, Marcus Bingham had two stern blocks at the start of the game.

The Bruins held the Spartans captive in terms of pace. UCLA used up all of the shot clock on nearly each and every possession. Furthermore, they focused on transition defense, allowing no easy baskets. MSU struggled at first against this defensive strategy but got back on pace with time. Eventually, the Spartans found their rhythm.

Late in the half, MSU went on a beautiful 10-2 run. Cassius Winston got loose in transition for an off-balance three. He later hit another three to bring it to 24-20. Unfortunately, Michigan State lost a shooter in the corner. On the next play though, Winston got a nice layup off a second chance opportunity.

At the end of the first half, MSU led UCLA 26-23.

Second Half

Tom Izzo changed the starting lineup to start the second half, replacing Aaron Henry with Gabe Brown. Almost immediately, Marcus Bingham blocked his third shot at the rim. On the other end, Gabe Brown is wide open in the corner and wets a three. Then, Rocket Watts played tough defense to force a UCLA shot clock violation. On the next offensive possession, Brown hit yet another three and gave MSU a 36-25 lead.

Michigan State failed to take advantage of UCLA switches but that did not matter. The refs continued to make poor call after poor call but that did not matter. The Spartans were on a mission. Rocket Watts drove to the rim, absorbed contact, and hit the shot.

Winston hit his third three of the game to give MSU a 41-30 lead. Then, Malik Hall had a wonderful couple of possessions. Hall drew a foul for free throws, hit a turnaround elbow jumper, and then drew yet another foul for more free throws on three consecutive possessions.

Rocket Watts hit a smooth step-back and-one shot. With 10 minutes left in the game, MSU pulls away and Winston shows out. Aaron Henry, who was hounded by Izzo all game long, drove and kicked the ball to Tillman for a bucket. UCLA did not give up though, instead they clawed back to single digits, MSU led 61-52.

Malik Hall fouled out of the game with less than five minutes left in the game. I don’t blame Hall though. The refs called fouls on him for simply standing in front of defenders. Finally, Xavier Tillman woke up. Tillman had a humungous block at one end then a nice dunk on the other end.

UCLA was still within striking distance down nine points to MSU. Winston found Tillman for an easy bucket at the rim. Then, Rocket Watts closed out the game for the Spartans. Watts hit an ice-cold three-point shot in transition to put Michigan State out of striking distance. Again, what a game.

Check out some highlights below:

I’m sure there are critical fans out there but please relax. Remember, it’s just November. Tom Izzo is playing a lot of young guys. It will take time for them to get in the full swing of things. For example, Rocket Watts just put up a career-high 12 points. I imagine his numbers continue to trend upwards.

Spartan’s Basketball is back in action against Duke on Dec. 3 at 9:30 P.M. Michigan State will retire Draymond Green’s jersey at this game. Be sure to tune into ESPN to cheer on the Spartans.

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Michigan State PG Cassius Winston ranked as first-round NBA draft pick by ESPN

Michigan State star point guard Cassius Winston has been ranked the 30th best player in the 2020 NBA draft pool by ESPN.

Michigan State Men’s Basketball has slowly become a factory for producing NBA talent and this year looks like it will be quite fruitful when it comes to Spartans heading into the draft. Some publications have Aaron Henry going in the first round, others have Xavier Tillman floating around that area. The ranking I find most compelling, however, is ESPN, who has point guard Cassius Winston ranked No. 30 in their NBA Draft rankings.

Winston is the No. 9 ranked point guard in this year’s draft, per rankings made primarily by Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN. This is pretty gratifying to see since I am just one of many Spartan fans who have seen Winston play enough to be confident in his abilities at the next level, it’s good to see others in the media acknowledging that his skills could translate.

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