Tag: Spartans Basketball

Watch: 4-star SG Kur Teng announces commitment to Michigan State

Teng had offers from 15 other schools, including Providence, Rutgers and Temple.

On Monday, Michigan State got a commitment from Bradford Christian Academy (Mass.) four-star shooting guard Kur Teng.

Watch Teng make his announcement in an interview with 247Sports.

Teng had offers from 15 other schools, including Providence and Rutgers, who were his other finalists. Asked why he picked the Spartans over the other contenders, Teng told MLive’s Brandon Champion that the way they play under coach Tom Izzo fits his style:

“They’re play style really fits me really well. I like to come off pin downs on the offensive end. Every time I watched them there’s been a similarity between them and the way I play now with my team.”

Going by the composite rankings, Teng is No. 8 among shooting guards in his class and No. 1 overall in the state of Massachusetts.

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4-star basketball prospect Jeremy Fears commits to Michigan State

The La Lumiere standout is headed to the Spartans.

The Floor General is heading to East Lansing.

Jeremey Fears, a 4-star point guard out of La Lumiere School (Ind.), made a hard commit to the Spartans basketball program on Tuesday, choosing the Big Ten power over rival Michigan and Illinois. (He also had an offer from in-state Indiana.)

The 6-foot-1 standout made the announcement via his twitter account:

Fears is one of the best prospects in the Class of 2023, ranked nationally in the top 30 overall, and among the top 10 point guards. As his nickname would suggest, his greatest scouting nod is the ability to run the floor—something that will surely fit well at a school with a long line of exceptional PG play.

Michael Caterina / USA TODAY NETWORK

He’ll have plenty of opportunity to showcase his skills against other top prospects in the country this week at the U.S. Marines NIBC LaPorte Invitational — a big-time tourney right in Fears’ backyard (LaPorte, Ind.)

According to South Bend Tribune’s Justin Frommer, the talent from both the Class of 2022 and ’23, plus the teams, is as impressive as it is substantial:

Six nationally ranked teams. A combined 22 of the top 100 recruits in the Class of 2022 (three in the top 10). Four top 50 recruits for 2023. And commits to top programs like Duke, Kentucky, Baylor, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan and even Notre Dame.

And now, you can add one Michigan State commit.

For the latest recruiting news coming out of East Lansing, check out USA TODAY Sports’ Spartans Wire.

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Michigan State Basketball has third most wins vs ranked teams in past ten years

Michigan State Basketball has the third most wins vs ranked teams in the past ten years. See which other teams made this list here.

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The Fox College Hoops Twitter handle has been putting up stat after stat over the course of the off-season. Tom Izzo and Michigan State Basketball have been featured in almost every single graphic. Now, the Spartans are third in most wins vs. ranked teams in the last 10 years.

Check out the neat graphic below:

There are only two teams ahead of Michigan State here and they are both juggernauts in the world of college basketball. More importantly, neither are Big Ten teams making MSU number one in the Big Ten conference in wins against ranked teams.

Two Big Ten teams crack the list besides MSU and this includes Wisconsin and the Michigan Wolverines. The success of Michigan State’s recruiting recently says that the Spartans could very likely on this list again in 2030.

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MSU Basketball ranks no. 1 in final Detroit News Big Ten Ranking

Michigan State Basketball ranks at number one in the final Detroit News Big Ten Power Ranking. Here is some information on this ranking.

Michigan State basketball ranks at the top of the very last Detroit News Big Ten Power Ranking. What an emotional year for this team. There were a number of ups and downs for the team and for individual players like Cassius Winston.

Here is what Matt Charboneau had to say about this ranking:

“The Spartans closed the regular season winning five straight, including four in a row over ranked opponents, to capture a share of their third straight Big Ten championship. Xavier Tillman has been outstanding all year, but Cassius Winston has been rolling as well, while Rocket Watts and Aaron Henry (11) have come alive as MSU heads into March will plenty of momentum.”

You can check out the entire Detroit News Big Ten Power Ranking here. Charboneau ranks Wisconsin at no. two and Maryland at number three. Interstate rival Michigan ranks down at number seven.

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Michigan State Men’s Basketball G Rocket Watts named to Big Ten All-Freshman Team

Michigan State Basketball freshman Rocket Watts has been named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

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Earlier today, it was announced that Michigan State Men’s Basketball freshman Rocket Watts was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after impressive performances in the Spartans wins against Ohio State and Penn State. Just a few hours later, he was named to the Big Ten Men’s Basketball All-Freshman Team.

The Big Ten Basketball All-Freshman Team is voted on by Big Ten coaches.

Watts only averaged 9 points per game this season, but he had some huge scoring outbursts starting in February. In the last four games of the season, where MSU ran the table and won out on their way to winning a share of the Big Ten Title, Watts had 21, 13, 18, and 19 points in those four games.

In addition to the scoring he provided late in the season, he also excelled as a secondary ball-handler, acting as one of the few players on the team aside from Winston and Aaron Henry who could effectively break down defenses off the dribble. His on-ball defense also allowed him to take the tougher backcourt covers for Cassius, providing some much-needed relief for the star point guard.

Here is the 2020 Big Ten Men’s Basketball All-Freshman Team:

  • Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
  • Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
  • CJ Frederick, Iowa
  • Franz Wagner, Michigan
  • Rocket Watts, Michigan State

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Michigan State G Rocket Watts named Big Ten Freshman of the Week

MSU’s star freshman Rocket Watts has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after the Spartans 2-0 week.

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In a week in which Michigan State knocked off Ohio State and Penn State on their way to securing a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Title, two Spartans were honored by the conference for their elite play. First, Cassius Winston was named the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Then, freshman phenom Rocket Watts was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his efforts.

Watts averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on the week and dazzled fans with his signature stepback threes. Watts has found a new level of consistency in his play over this run for the Spartans and he has been a huge part of their ability to jump back into the top 10 in the country.

Not only has Watts been an elite scorer and a great second-ball handler, but his superb defense has been a huge boost for a team that is missing Joshua Langford.

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3 Things to Watch: No. 16 Michigan State Basketball vs. No. 19 Ohio State

Michigan State basketball faces off against an elite Big Ten team in Ohio State this Sunday. Here are 3 things to watch in this game.

Michigan State basketball has a Senior Day matchup against Ohio State this Sunday on March 8. The Spartans are 21-9 overall and 13-6 in Big Conference games. Ohio State, on the other hand, is currently 21-9 overall and 11-8 in Big Ten Conference play.

Here are three things to watch in this game:

1. Cassius Winston On Senior Day

Senior day is an emotional affair for both fans and players alike. This year, beloved senior Cassius Winston plays his last game at the Breslin Center. He went through a very personal struggle this season that fans empathize with. Winston will be very emotional before, during, and after the game. I believe fans in the arena and at home will be just as emotional. Get some tissues folks, your eyes will be damp.

2. Kyle Ahrens vs. Justin Ahrens

Justin Ahrens is the younger brother of MSU Guard Kyle Ahrens. Justin plays for Ohio State at the Forward position. There is no doubt that Justin will play minutes against Kyle. After all, Justin averages just about 10.2 minutes per game. Not to mention that it’ll be a great moment to put on national television. Watch for some brotherly competition and love between these two players on the court.

3. Ohio State On A Hot Streak

Ohio State is on quite the hot streak as of late. The Buckeyes are 6-1 in the last seven games. This includes victories over Rutgers, Purdue, Maryland, Nebraska, and Michigan. Ohio State is a darn good Big Ten team and should not be taken lightly. Expect the Spartans to play with serious ferocity on the court against the Buckeyes.

The Spartans and Buckeyes play on Sunday at 4:30 P.M. on CBS.

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Michigan State basketball is a 4-seed in newest ESPN Bracketology prediction

Michigan State basketball moved up to a 4-seed in the most recent ESPN bracketology prediction. Read more details about this change here.

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Another week, another update to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi bracketology prediction. Now, Michigan State is ranked as a 4-seed. Last time, the Spartans were given a 5-seed. Another big win this Sunday against Ohio State likely moves MSU into an even better seed. Check out Lunardi’s entire bracket here.

Michigan State squares off against Stephen F. Austin in the first round of this particular prediction bracket. Yet again the Big Ten leads all conferences with 10 teams in this iteration of the bracket. This includes Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Maryland, Iowa, and Michigan.

Each and every prediction bracket speaks to the overwhelming strength of the Big Ten. The Pac-12 and Big East have seven teams in this bracket which is tied for second-most behind the Big Ten.

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Michigan State Basketball sits atop Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings

Michigan State basketball ranks no. 1 in the Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings. Read more information on this placement here.

Oh, man, it feels good to be back. Many doubted Michigan State during the harsh parts of this season. Now, everyone gives proper respect to one of the best Big Ten teams around. MSU sits atop the Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings. Note, the Spartans ranked at No. 5 last week.

Here is what Matt Charboneau had to say about his decision:

“The Spartans enter the final week of the season still a game behind Maryland for first place in the Big Ten, however, the last week reminded everyone why they were the preseason favorite to begin with. A dominant second half closed out a win over Iowa, followed by a complete 40 minutes to hand Maryland its first home loss, have MSU on a roll as it heads to Penn State on Tuesday before closing at home against Ohio State.”

The Spartans are back in action tonight against the Penn State Nittany Lions. You can catch this action on ESPN at 7 P.M.

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Michigan State Basketball skyrockets to No. 10 in NCAA.com’s Power 36 Rankings

Michigan State basketball jumps into the top ten in NCAA.com’s Power 36 Rankings this week. The Spartans rank at no. 10. Read more here.

Michigan State basketball just beat the Maryland Terpins in a difficult road game this past weekend. Now, the Spartans rank at the no. 10 spot in Andy Katz’s most recent NCAA.com Power-36 Rankings. Note, MSU recently ranked at the no. 26 spot.

The Spartans are behind only one other Big Ten team, the Maryland Terpins. There are  Big Ten teams behind MSU including Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, & Penn State. MSU has had some rough spots during this season. Luckily, the Spartans are trending upwards at the perfect time.

Michigan State actually plays against Penn State tomorrow on Tuesday. The Spartans could easily jump up a few more spots with a strong victory over the Nittany Lions. You can catch the game on ESPN at 7 P.M.

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