The brutality of a single-elimination tournament.

Michigan State beat Michigan four straight times heading into the NCAA Tournament, but the Wolverines prevailed when it mattered most on the national stage and they sent the team that dominated the season series home packing.

Michigan showed resilience in the third period. After a game-tying Michigan State goal by Joey Larson with 9:34 remaining on the clock, Michigan answered right back with two goals in 12 seconds and tacked on another power play goal to win, 5-2.

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Michigan State tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator Brian Wozniak offered a scholarship to class of 2026 four-star Camden Jensen on Monday.

The offer from the Spartans has certainly caught the attention of Jensen, who has seen his recruitment take off over the past few months.

The Heritage High School (Littleton, Colorado) athlete already has double-digit scholarship offers and currently ranks as the No. 10 tight end and No. 178 player overall in the 2026 class.

Jensen spoke to Spartans Illustrated to provide his reaction to the scholarship offer and to give his thoughts on Michigan State.

"Absolutely outstanding to get an offer from any Power Four school," Jensen said. "It is always an honor."

More here:

Softball Defeated After Late Hawkeye Rally​

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Michigan State softball was defeated in game one of its three-game series at Iowa on Friday night, 4-0, from Bob Pearl Field. The Spartans held Iowa scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

MSU moves to 12-18 (0-4 B1G) on the season while Iowa improves to 15-11 (3-1 B1G).

Senior Liv Grey (8-9) completed 4.1 innings in the circle, striking out four and allowing a pair of earned runs. Grey was relieved in the fifth by junior Madison Taylor who completed the final 1.2 innings of Friday's contest and struck out one.

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Sophomore Sydney Doloszycki prevented a Hawkeye hit in the fifth with a diving grab in right field.

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Sophomore Hannah Hawley and freshman Payton Conroy each reached base for MSU, with Hawley drawing a sixth inning walk and Conroy getting hit by a pitch in the third.

Iowa used a three-run fifth inning to break open a then 0-0 game. After a one-out Spartan error, the Hawkeyes used back-to-back-to-back singles to bring home three runners. Iowa added an insurance run in the sixth to finish the day with four runs on nine hits.

Hawkeye starting pitcher Jalen Adams did not allow a hit through seven innings.

Up Next
Michigan State will continue its road-series against the Hawkeyes at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, March 30 from Bob Pearl Field.

Game one recap courtesy of MSU Athletics.

Softball Earns First B1G Win, Splits Day Two in Iowa City​

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Michigan State softball got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon, taking game two of its three-game series against Iowa, 8-2. The Spartans fell, 1-0, in a tight game three from Bob Pearl Field after the series finale was moved up a day due to weather concerns.

MSU moves to 13-19 (1-5 B1G) while the Hawkeyes are now 16-12 (4-2 B1G).

Game One – Michigan State 8, Iowa 2​

Senior Liv Grey (9-9) tossed her sixth complete game of the season in game one, striking out three Hawkeye batters. Grey allowed just four hits and two earned runs in the contest.

Sophomore Hannah Hawley was perfect at the plate going 3-for-3 with a walk, two home runs and three runs batted in. Senior Jenae Wash, sophomore Sydney Doloszycki, senior Anna Fox, sophomore Britain Beshears and redshirt sophomore Mik Anthony also tallied base hits for MSU. Doloszycki reached three times, walking twice and driving in one RBI. Beshears, Wash, Anthony and Fox worked walks.

Doloszycki did it all for the Spartans in the first, singling to center to score Hawley from second, stealing third and scoring on a passed ball to put MSU ahead 2-0.

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Hawley recorded her second hit of the game in the third, putting the Spartans ahead 3-0 with a solo home run to left.

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Iowa looked to get on the board in the third themselves, loading the bases, but Grey navigated trouble to get out of the inning unscathed.

The Hawkeyes broke through in the fourth after a trio of singles scored a pair of runs, cutting MSU's advantage to 3-2 heading into the fifth.

Hawley's big day at the plate continued in the fifth as her two-out, two-run homer off a fresh Hawkeye pitcher put Michigan State ahead 5-2. Fox drew a two-out bases loaded walk in the sixth to increase the Spartan lead to 6-2.

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Senior Alexis Ross saved a potential run with a web gem catch in the bottom of the sixth.

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MSU showed patience working four walks in the seventh inning. Wash's walk brought home the pinch-running sophomore Kayla Bane from third. Anthony capped off the inning with an RBI single to center that scored Doloszycki. The Spartans pushed for a second run on the play but were out at home.

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Game Two – Iowa 1, Michigan State 0​

Junior Madison Taylor (1-7) tossed a gem in the circle throwing six scoreless frames and striking out one. Taylor allowed just one earned run in the seventh inning.

Hawley once again was the star offensively for MSU with a pair of hits in game two. Junior Macy Lee, Doloszycki, Wash, Anthony and Fox also had hits for the Spartans. Doloszycki and Wash each doubled. Lee and Anthony walked to reach base twice in the late game.
Michigan State's best scoring chance came in the fourth when Wash led-off the inning with a double. Wash and Anthony both ended the inning in scoring position.

The MSU defense was excellent in both games, making key plays to prevent runs. It was a major reason why Iowa stranded 10 base runners in game two. Michigan State's defense got out of bases-loaded threats in the second and sixth innings.

In the second, sophomore Payton Conroy and Fox teamed up for an inning-ending double play where Conroy dove to her left and flipped the ball to Fox at second.

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Wash charged for a ball and made a diving grab in left to end a bases loaded threat in the sixth.

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Iowa led-off the seventh with a triple to quickly put a runner in scoring position. The next batter hit a comeback that ricocheted off Taylor in the circle, allowing the runner to score and end the game.

Up Next
Michigan State makes its return to Secchia Stadium for the first time in 2024 next weekend when it welcomes Indiana to East Lansing on April 5-7. First pitch on Friday, April 5 is set for 5:00 p.m.

Saturday recap courtesy of MSU Athletics.

Raleigh, N.C. – MSU Track and Field student-athletes in all specialties put together solid performances at the competitive Raleigh Relays which took place from Thursday through Saturday, March 28-30.

"I like the way we competed this weekend," Michigan State Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa Breznau said. "We have areas for growth, but the team is collectively fighting for growth. We will continue to build throughout the season."

Meet Highlights

• Freshman Jessica Stieb kicked off won the collegiate shot put (2nd overall) at 15.99m in the first 2024 Raleigh Relays event.
• Sophomore Colby Morlock won the men's shot put by over two feet behind an 18.53m PR, completing the Spartan sweep of the shot Thursday.
• Running unattached and coming off the back of a Big Ten steeplechase title last outdoor season, junior Kate Stewart-Barnett won the 3000m steeplechase at 10:01.08 Friday.
• National runner-up in the heptathlon during the Indoor season, graduate student Heath Baldwin showed his consistent progress with two PRs and third place finishes in the long jump (7.35m) and 110m hurdles (13.81s), also claiming fourth in the pole vault.
• Junior Noah Sage continues his strong run of form to start the season, dashing to a third-place finish in the 400m in 47.1s.
• Junior Sophia Mettes returned with a third-place finish of her own in the women's pole vault invitational at 4.05m.
• Fellow pole vaulter and sophomore Adam Blue finished second in the men's open event at 4.80m.
• The men's 4x400m team comprised of Baldwin, Sage, Ryan Talbot and Antonio Postell blitzed to a 3:09.91 bronze in Saturday's first event.

Next, the Spartans will honor their seniors and play host to their lone home meet of the year, the Spartan Invite, on Friday, April 5th starting at 10 a.m. at Ralph Young Field.

Recap courtesy of MSU Athletics.

Aiden DeCorte announced on X that he has been accepted into Michigan State and will try out as a walk-on transfer from Central Michigan.

The new coaching staff has been in contact with DeCorte and they want him to try out in the spring. However, he is not guaranteed a roster spot.

In addition to being a long snapper, DeCorte has experience playing left guard at CMU but he is not sure if he would play along the offensive line at MSU.

DeCorte was a true freshman at CMU in 2023. He didn't get any playing time.

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For more info on DeCorte, here is his bio on Central Michigan's website.

HIGH SCHOOL

A 2023 graduate of Jackson High School, where he played three years of varsity football for head coaches Scott Farley and Tone Parker … Named a Dream All-American …Named to the Legacy All-Star Game as the starting center … Academic All-Conference honoree … Detroit Free Press preseason All-State selection … USA Football All-Star … Played center on offense and served as a long snapper … Accumulated over 300-plus pancakes in his four-year career … Helped guide the Vikings to their third playoff win in 108 years of football … Rated as a four-star long snapper … Also competed in track and field as a sophomore and junior … Four-year Honor Roll student … Competed in the throws in track and field … Involved in a variety of community service activities, including helping to supply youth with clothes and food.

PERSONAL

Born Aiden Richard DeCorte on September 2, 2004 in Jackson, Mich. … Son of Russell and Candace DeCorte … Has two sisters Victoria and Hannah, and a brother Collin … Father graduated from Toledo and sister is in graduate school at Western Michigan … Hobbies and interests include working out and working on cars … Chose Central Michigan for the amazing academics and athletic programs and the coaches … Role model is his father because he always pushes him … Favorite food is Mac & Cheese … One word that describes him: persistent … Selected Central Michigan from over 36 offers from Robert Morris, Delaware State, Mississippi Valley State, Kennesaw State, and Northern Michigan, and was recruited by Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Hawaii … Plans to major in Marketing/Business.

While it is easy to identify those who chose MSU, and did not live up to expectations. It is just as easy to gloss over those MSU missed on but were Plan A guys.

Furst was one that Izzo wanted badly but has now worked his way to the end of the bench for Purdue. Jalen Terry, has been positively mediocre, but was a Plan A guy.

Jaden Schutt is another Plan A guy who has had a tough time finding his footing and just had surgery in a redshirt season and is being recruited over top of. Enoch Boakye is yet another Plan A that looks like a total miss. Emoni Bates and Romeo Weems are others. 2019 was clearly a year where the offer list was really solid but for the guys who committed to us like Rocket.

Clearly there are other Plan A players who have panned out, but in evaluating recruiting, when you consider the misses on Plan A you have to consider that we need some new talent evaluators.

Happy Easter.

The Michigan State men's tennis team dug itself a 3-0 hole at Illinois before roaring back for the next four points and the impressive road victory. Here are details on the win and some perspective on how MSU is making itself known nationally.

Sorry Big 12, but a pretty even split. Think about it, Purdue won shooting 20% from Three and poorly from the Free Throw line.

They look unstoppable. They smoked a pretty good Illini team by 30. The 30-0 run was incredible.
Can Purdue beat them? Clingan vs Zach could be special but UConn has more weapons IMO.
But Purdue has to keep rolling!

Michigan State is in its second of five weeks of spring ball. Heading into spring ball, wide receiver was a position group that I had my eye on. Overall, the room has a lack of bodies right now. There’s 10 total wide receivers listed on the spring roster. If you look up other rosters throughout the country, a lot of them have 17, 18, 19 wide receivers right now.

I heard from a source that there is no real established depth chart at wide receiver yet, but there is a group of five guys that are working with the ones: Alante Brown (R-Sr.), Montorie Foster Jr. (R-Sr.), Jaron Glover (R-So.), Antonio Gates Jr. (R-So.) and Aziah Johnson (R-Fr.).

These names are all consistent with what we posted earlier this week in this spring football thread.

Brown and Foster are the veterans of the group right now that needs some underclassmen to step up. It appears that Glover, Gates and Johnson are those guys that are stepping up. Keep in mind that it is still early in spring ball and the spring transfer portal window will open on April 15. Michigan State will be active in the upcoming window looking for depth at the wide receiver position.

@Ryan OBleness will comment what he's hearing at the cornerback position in a few moments.

Michigan State has added another preferred walk-on in 2024 athlete/wide receiver Dyson Sims out of Ann Arbor Huron High School. He is the brother of former Michigan State tight end Dion Sims, who played tight end for the Spartans from 2009 through 2012 before going on to enjoy a long NFL career.

More information coming.

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How does everyone's baseball team look this year?

I see the Tigers won yesterday.

My Braves are playing this afternoon against the disliked Phillies, and their hated fans. Although my son and I really don't mind Harper, in fact we like him.

Anyone who follows baseball would know that saying what I think of the Braves would be just bragging. It's an amazing team. As always just need to stay healthy. I love acquiring Sale, last years record-tying team was immensely talented but needed an edge which he provides.

You Cubs fans have some talent.

Dodgers or Yankee fans, I don't even want to hear from you. Just kidding, by all means respond...

Michigan State stormed back from a 4-2 deficit to beat Western Michigan 5-4 in overtime, its second straight 5-4 win in sudden death overtime.

The win means the Spartans advance in the tournament for the first time since 2008.

Full recap here:

How come no talk on this kid committing to Indiana out of the blue. Izzo has been recruiting him for a while. He's a 5 star. Kansas was on him too, but he commits to "on the hot seat" Mike Woodson at Indiana? I think he's a McD AA.

What's the scoop?

If you look at losing teams in the tournament and they have a common thread of not shooting the ball well. RJ Davis goes cold, and they lose, and Arizona guards shoot 20 % from the field and they lose, sound familiar?

You have to have three or four knockdown shooters to win in college basketball.

The aberrant team was the Illinois team that missed 49 percent of 30 free throws. They shoot 75% from the line and they win walking away but ended up winning by a bucket.

MSU just does not have the shooters to consistently win.

East Lansing is a familiar place for 2026 four-star in-state offensive lineman and Michigan State legacy recruit Gregory Patrick.

“MSU is for sure in the picture right now, especially with the new staff.”

He recaps his latest visit to Michigan State:

“I’m just trying to make sure their knowledge of understanding the offense and football is good.”

Assistant head coach/co-special teams coordinator/running backs coach Keith Bhonapha gave an update following Spring practice on Tuesday.

When head coach Jonathan Smith and his staff took over the Michigan State program in November, there were many initial tasks to complete in the restoration process. One of the biggest and more difficult priorities was retaining players from the previous regime and selling them on a new opportunity.

Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark both flirted with the transfer portal following the end of the 2023 season. In late November of 2023, Harmon and VanDeMark announced their intention to enter the the transfer portal, and each player officially did so when the portal window opened on Dec. 4, 2023.

Here is why the decided to return to MSU:

Michigan State is on its second week of spring practice and I have noticed some themes when talking to players during the media interview sessions:

- Defense will be more aggressive

Expect more man coverage. Expect to see more guys from the front seven in the backfield and that just has to do with the scheme. I'm not even saying that MSU is significantly better talent wise this season compared to last season. The scheme is more conducive to producing TFLs, sacks, INTs, etc.

For example, Maverick Hansen explained this to us last week, the defensive tackles are given more freedom to split double teams and explode into the backfield as opposed to holding the point and taking on 700 pounds of force from two offensive linemen. Taking on the full force of two offensive linemen while trying to hold position results in more injuries than if DTs race off the line and put force behind trying to get by the double team. Remember when Simeon Barrow seemed to get injured each game? I don't think you'll see as many defensive linemen down after plays this fall.

- The new staff seems to emphasize stretching more

The team is doing yoga sessions. Workouts are longer because there are longer stretching sessions. Most of the players that have spoken with us think that the workouts are more focused on toning their bodies.

- The new staff seems to have an open door policy

Players seem to really like being able to meet with the coaches whenever they want to, to an extent. It's more of an open door policy than the previous staff. Jonathan Smith seems to be all in on knowing each guy as a person, not just as a football player.

- Everything the staff does has a purpose

From the workouts to position coaches working with the social media team to highlight certain players/aspects of their position group, everything the new staff has a reason behind it. The practices are formatted differently than before in terms of period length and obviously some new drills. The players have noticed. While it's an adjustment, it also represents a clean slate for them. That clean slate is something that the returning players seem to be using as motivation.

With all that being said, it's hard to know what this team will look like in the fall with all the newness. All in all, the new staff appears to be a breath of fresh air in the building. We'll see how it plays out on the field though.

The game has changed because of the transfer portal and nil. I believe that Izzo needs to adjust to the new realities of the game. The days of recruiting players that would stay up to 4 years is not the real world any longer. If you look at the teams in the Tournament, their rosters are sprinkled with transfers that are contributors . I might be wrong, but the only key transfer we have added in the last 3 years is Walker.
it is time to face reality or wallow as a middle of the pack team.