StringerBellWeBackUp.jpeg Work from yours truly and @connorearegood.bsky.social, @liquenews.bsky.social, @realtonygarcia.bsky.social and @chrissolari.bsky.social in the Masterkey this week.

The crowd got what it wanted in MSU’s exhibition win over BGSU, with plenty of Coen Carr dunks and some nice contributions from newcomers. Did Tom Izzo? Most definitely not. “We’ll have some fun the next couple of days” On a messy debut: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Asked this on the evil site, so I'll ask it here too: MSU men's basketball opens the season with an exhibition against BGSU tonight. For my MSU readers, what do you want to see tonight? Comment below.

Ups to @connorearegood.bsky.social on this story — a neat rivalry connection

We are back once more with the fine prose of @connorearegood.bsky.social, @liquenews.bsky.social, @realtonygarcia.bsky.social, @aaronmcmann.bsky.social and Matt Wenzel, who I do not believe is #OnHere. We also love the latest game starting at 3:30.

Matt Gulbin has turned into one of college football’s best centers this season at MSU. But it took him a while to even get the chance to play the position. On “Big Country,” and the patience it took to get here: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Mitten Masterkey is up, with TV times, picks, some 11th hour analysis and, as is become tradition here, the good work being done by the folks on these beats. This week it's shouts to @connorearegood.bsky.social, @liquenews.bsky.social, Matt Wenzel, and Matt Ehler for their fine work.

Hey, so I totally lied about being more active on here. Alas, here’s a fun story from this week on Aidan Chiles’ L.A. homecoming against USC. And if you’re not staying up past midnight to watch the game, you know where to find all the coverage Sunday morning. www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Planning on being more active here for the upcoming football season. We spoke to DC Joe Rossi today about his group, particularly about the pass rush. Slow deaths and fast growth: Why Joe Rossi 'remade' Michigan State edge rusher room: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Isaac Howard will not return to Michigan State next season after the Edmonton Oilers traded for and signed him to a pro contract.

J Batt was unequivocal: Football success is key to a high-level athletic dept. succeeding. He also wants to support Olympic/non-rev sports at at championship levels. And MSU coaches received his message well, in part because he's promised to listen, first: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

The NCAA issued Michigan State a notice of allegations for Tucker-era recruiting violations the university self reported. According to an MSU spokesperson, the university has not yet received a copy. Story and what this means for MSU @detroitnews: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Outgoing Michigan State AD Alan Haller calls out people of 'significant influence' www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

www.detroitnews.com/story/sports... Story by @connorearegood.bsky.social

Isaac Howard transferred to MSU looking for a fresh start. Little did he know the decision would save his life. After being treated for a rare heart defect and emerging as a college hockey star, Howard is returning for his senior season. For @detroitnews: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

From D-II to Elite Eight, Chaney Johnson living March dreams with Auburn www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

'They deserve so much credit': Scout team vital to Spartans' Elite Eight run www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

March Madness 2025: Michigan State vs. Auburn scouting report www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

From James Hawkins: Past AAU foes Jase Richardson, Tahaad Pettiford cross paths again in Elite Eight www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

In front of hometown crowd, Coen Carr vital in Michigan State's Sweet 16 victory www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

ICYMI: Elite great! Michigan State hangs on to top Ole Miss in NCAA Tournament www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Where’s Mel Tucker? Former MSU coach’s disappearance holding up lawsuit, plaintiff claims www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

In Sweet 16, Tom Izzo and Chris Beard get a familiar rematch of 2019 Final Four www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

From Dana Wakiji: No. 1 MSU eliminated by Cornell in NCAA hockey regional in Toledo www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

With the NCAA transfer portal opening in full Sunday, I have started our 2025 page. Bookmark it. Check back often. It's that season again. Here it is: www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-h...

Coen Carr's career game helps Michigan State breeze past Bryant in NCAA opener www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

In Theryn Hallock’s resolve, MSU women can find spark in March www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Players love Phil Martelli Jr. because he listens to their input and raps bars from "8 Mile." Coaches see how he values relationships in a transactional landscape. On Martelli Jr. — who Tom Izzo says is “destined for stardom” — dancing for the first time: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

From Legos to lobs, Carr and Richardson are Michigan State’s thickest thieves www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Michigan State lands a No. 2 seed, will face Bryant in NCAA Tournament www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Planning to post on here a little more for March Madness. Here's a feature about Tom Izzo and Adam Nightingale, coaches who have led their teams to the top of the Big Ten and also close together in a growing mentorship. Story for @detroitnews.bsky.social: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

How Charlie Stramel unlocked his potential with MSU hockey. Story from @connorearegood.bsky.social www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Was just talking about Kohler's passing with @connorearegood.bsky.social after his nifty wrap-around dish to Zapala, and Matt Wenzel tweets its Kohler's career-high fifth assist today.

If you build it, they will come. MSU hired the coach to revamp its volleyball program. Next comes a new arena. “I want to be in the national conversation when it comes to volleyball.” On the Kristen Kelsay era and what comes next, for @detroitnews: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

‘He’d be a hell of a Yooper’: MSU’s Izzo with big praise for Lions’ Dan Campbell www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

Scoring the OT winner with 1.4 seconds left, Danny Russell helped Michigan State overcome two blown leads to beat Wisconsin 4-3 at Wrigley Field “He's got a chip on his shoulder, and I think he's out there trying to prove every day that he brings value.” www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

“Last year, we would have found ways to lose games like this.” The Spartans’ 69-62 win over Ohio State wasn’t pretty, but the mettle shown in coming back from a blow lead is a promising difference for this year’s MSU. More for @detroitnews: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

I'm a trash-talking connoisseur and even I had no clue how much trash the Knicks' Mikal Bridges talks until watching him every day. "He talks all game, don't he!?" My profile on the NBA's most unassuming trash-talker, who has been backing it up: www.nytimes.com/athletic/601...

Coming out of his shell, Michigan State's Trey Augustine prepared for 3rd straight World Junior run. From @connorearegood.bsky.social www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...

MSU gives freshman QB Alessio Milivojevic the final drive. He throws into double coverage and gets picked.

Raymond with another TD. 41-14 Rutgers. Scarlet Knights have scored on eight of their nine drives.

Jack Velling with a 5-yd receiving touchdown. Had a couple nice catches on that drive. MSU cuts the deficit to 34-14. 7:21 to go. Spartans have three timeouts.

The thing that strikes me about this impending loss is that so many of these areas have been issues for way too long. The lack of pass rush, the special teams miscue, the meh pass protection -- it's been an issue for weeks. You've gotta show progress when it's down to the wire. Spartans haven't.

Rutgers field goal, MSU down 34-7

Rutgers puts together a 14-play, 75-yard drive that kills half the third quarter. Ian Strong catches the 9-yard TD and KJ Duff picks up the 2-pt conversion. MSU is down 31-7 with the season on the line. If there's no response on this upcoming drive, that's probably game.

MSU trails 23-7 at the half. Offense needs to string together some drives. Too many fizzling out. Defense has been alright but has given up a lot of big plays. Pass rush a big reason why. Rutgers gets the ball after halftime.

Six drives for MSU's offense. Only one has lasted longer than five plays.

Jordan Hall with a big stop on third down forces Rutgers to kick a field goal. Jai Patel hits the 42-yarder. MSU down 20-7 with 1:17 left in the half.

Now Cal Haladay is hurt after hitting a scrambling Athan Kaliakmanis