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Michigan State Spartans

Michigan St. Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction

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Once again, the Illinois Fighting Illini have a November home game against the Michigan State Spartans during a season where they started very fast out of the gates. Since starting 6-1, the Illini have dropped back to back games, and there are understandably legitimate fears that this season could repeat the story arc of 2022. If you recall, it was the Michigan State game (a … [Read more...] about Michigan St. Spartans at Illinois Fighting Illini Game Preview, Prediction

The “Talk about” and 7 More Crimes Against Sports Journalism

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Sports journalism is a world populated by shopworn cliches and tired, predictable narratives, but the "talk about" might truly be the abyss. We've all fallen victim to it at some point in our career. Either through osmosis from others doing the talk about, or just being inexperienced, we've made that horrendous mistake at some point. However, most of us grow and develop … [Read more...] about The “Talk about” and 7 More Crimes Against Sports Journalism

Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

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When it comes to Puppy Crawl, you can have a debate about it. That debate is: "was is is the greatest halftime show in Big Ten Tournament history? Or "was it the greatest halftime show in basketball history?" One can't say a lot good things about how the Illinois Fighting Illini played last night, in their 2023 Big Ten Tournament loss to Penn State. (We already covered that … [Read more...] about Puppy Crawl: Greatest Halftime Show Ever

Tum Tum, Smotherman, Melo and the All-Time B1G All Name Team

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Another Big Ten Tournament is upon us, and with that, we flash back to this all-B1G All-Name team piece from 2015. Michigan State has a new starting point guard named Lourawls Nairn.  Make that Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. He's just a freshman right now, and Travis Trice still essentially has the gig for the rest of this season. In time though, Nairn could be special, like a … [Read more...] about Tum Tum, Smotherman, Melo and the All-Time B1G All Name Team

Tom Izzo Gives Epic Rant Against Analytics, Personal Accountability

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After getting routed 88-74 at Northwestern, in a game that was more lopsided than the box score would indicate, Tom Izzo began his postgame press conference by saying he's embarrassed to be a Michigan State Spartan. "They kicked our butt in every physical way they could," he told the media assembled at Welsh-Ryan Arena. "They deserved to win, and we deserved to get our ass … [Read more...] about Tom Izzo Gives Epic Rant Against Analytics, Personal Accountability

Michigan St Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats: FYIs, Preview, Prediction

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The Michigan St. Spartans head to Evanston on Sunday night to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a battle of teams with one great, signature win so far this season. Unfortunately, they only have that one major win on their resume, and not much more. For MSU, it's their utter thrashing of Baylor (KenPom #15). For Northwestern, it's their historical upset over the nation's … [Read more...] about Michigan St Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats: FYIs, Preview, Prediction

Exclusive: Drew Valentine on His Brother, Tom Izzo, Michigan State

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With Michigan State headed to Chicago area, for the only time this season, we revisit this exclusive interview with Drew Valentine, discussing Tom Izzo and MSU, from Chicago College Basketball Media Day We recently had an exclusive with Loyola coach Drew Valentine, and we covered this game, the marquee contest on the Ramblers' pre-conference slate, in detail. Although both … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Drew Valentine on His Brother, Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Exclusive: Drew Valentine on Tom Izzo Legacy

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With Michigan State headed to Chicago area, for the only time this season, we revisit this exclusive interview with Drew Valentine, discussing Tom Izzo and MSU, from Chicago College Basketball Media Day Loyola head coach Drew Valentine is part of the illustrious Tom Izzo coaching tree, and that is a unique place to be right now. In recent years, several national championship … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Drew Valentine on Tom Izzo Legacy