With Michigan State practices being closed all spring, we don’t have an entirely clear idea of how some key position battles are shaking out very early in the process. But we’ll potentially get our first glimpse of the pecking order at certain positions during Saturday’s spring game. Following a season like 2016, there should be opportunities at plenty of spots, but some are more wide open — and important for MSU’s success — than others.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
Brian Lewerke got his first taste of being part of a Michigan State quarterback competition a year ago. He lost the job to veteran Tyler O’Connor, who faltered. Lewerke became a starter. Briefly. And then a broken leg ended his redshirt freshman year after four appearances. That did not stop Mark Dantonio from putting Lewerke front and center as the quarterback to beat this season.
Source: Detroit Free Press
This may shock you, but the defense was pretty much just as bad. The Spartans were routinely carved up — including surrendering a Spartan Stadium-worst 54 points to Northwestern — were unable to create turnovers (13 total; MSU’s -5 turnover margin tied for 98th nationally) and inept at getting to the quarterback (11 sacks; 124th nationally).
Source: The Only Colors
Michigan State will be welcoming plenty of recruits on Saturday — surely more than have made their plans public. Whatever issues may arise for the program from playing a public spring game during an investigation will likely be neutralized by the advantages of being transparent with the public and bringing in prospects for the event.
Source: Land of 10
The Michigan State track & field team continued the outdoor season hosting the Michigan State Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational on Friday, March 31. On the first day the Spartans finished with top marks nabbing four first place finishes out of the six events.
The Michigan State men’s tennis team hits the road for a pair of matches as they continue Big Ten action this weekend. MSU will face Purdue on Saturday, April 1, with the match set to begin at 2 p.m. The Spartans will then travel to Bloomington, Ind. to take on Indiana on Sunday, April 2 and the match is set to begin at 2 p.m.
After moving up to No. 17 in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national poll this week, the Spartans hit the road for a Big Ten Double Dual at Indiana this weekend, taking on the host Hoosiers in addition to Iowa and Kansas.
Tom Izzo is not in Phoenix for this weekend’s Final Four, opting to pass up on what amounts to college basketball’s annual coaches’ convention. Instead, he’s in East Lansing, continuing to meet with star freshman Miles Bridges and mapping out the Spartans’ 2017-18 roster. He was also on a series of recruiting trips in recent days. The off-season is in full-tilt.
Source: MLive.com
Darien Harris made his five years count at Michigan State – no doubt about that. Harris was an integral part of the winningest class to ever play at Spartan Stadium, suiting up at linebacker and helping deliver a Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl and two Big Ten Championships. Oh yeah, and a College Football Playoff berth.
Source: The Only Colors
Brian Lewerke will be a redshirt sophomore this upcoming fall and Mark Dantonio has all but named him the starter — wait, he actually did say it was his job to lose. There is competition, however. Brian has the most experience and looked great in the time he played.
Source: Spartan Avenue
Among the many factors that played into Michigan State’s rough 2016 season, injuries were right near the top as one of the biggest problems .The Spartans dealt with a number of injuries across the board, making a young team even younger at various positions.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
The Michigan State women’s tennis team returns home this weekend as it hosts Minnesota and Wisconsin in conference play. MSU will square off with Minnesota on Saturday, April 1 and Wisconsin on Sunday, April 2. Both matches are set to begin at 12 p.m.
Tom Izzo talks to Andy Katz & Seth Greenberg about the lack of star freshman in the Final Four and the future of his potential draftee Miles Bridges. Plus, advice for Gonzaga’s Mark Few ahead of the Final Four and what North Carolina has to do against Oregon.
Source: ESPN
Michigan State will be in East Lansing their next three games, all against Minnesota – who happens to be second in the Big Ten behind the Spartans. The series kicks off today at 3:05 p.m. Minnesota has had a pretty good year so far and they look like the real deal.
Source: The Only Colors
And now, a brief respite from larger issues to watch some football.For the first time since November, Michigan State players will take to the field in front of the public to run, pass and tackle during the program’s annual spring game (3 p.m., BTN) at Spartan Stadium.
Source: MLive.com
For better or worse, Michigan State will play its annual spring game on Saturday, and while there will be plenty of attention paid to who isn’t on the field, there are plenty of things to watch that relate directly to football, as well.
Source: Detroit News
There are plenty of questions swirling around Michigan State’s football program entering Saturday’s spring scrimmage.Let’s focus on what is expected on the field.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Michigan State baseball will host its first Big Ten Conference games of the season when the Spartans welcome Minnesota to McLane Stadium at Kobs Field for a three-game weekend series on Friday-Sunday, March 31-April 2. Friday’s series opener is slated for 3:05 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday’s games set for 1:05 p.m. first pitches.
The Michigan State Track & Field program will continue the outdoor season as it hosts the 2017 Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational this weekend. The only home meet of the season, the 11th-annual Invitational will include several teams from around the region with events held at Ralph Young Field, Munn Field and Jenison Field House. Admission is free to the meet and parking is located at the Spartan Stadium lot off of Shaw Road.