The Spartan Speak podcast has returned from its annual sabbatical, and just in time, as the Michigan State football team is well into preseason practice and the season opener against Western Michigan is right around the corner. 
The Detroit Free Press's Chris Solari and the Lansing State Journal's Ryan Black take you through the latest in Spartan news. Topics:

Tom Izzo contract extension
MSU basketball recruiting lands Coen Carr, Xavier Booker, Gehrig Normand
6 MSU football preseason tidbits
MSU football recruiting
Listener questions - including 6 hot takes


Michigan State football preseason tidbits, Tom Izzo contract extension, listener questions

Weekly discussion from the Lansing State Journal &hellip; Lansing, Michigan.&nbsp;

Sports

The Michigan State football team held its spring game on Saturday. And most of the eyes were on new Spartan QB Aidan Chiles, who didn't disappoint by delivering a couple of 'wow' plays. 
On the latest "Spartan Speak" podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari react to MSU football's spring game – what we learned QB through defense and what it all means. 

Aidan Chiles shows his potential, plus other MSU spring game observations

With the Michigan State hockey and basketball seasons over, it's now time for an end-of-season recap for both teams on this week's Spartan Speak podcast. 
We start with hockey. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and LSJ hockey writer Nate Bott dive into the team and program – their performance at the NCAA regionals, the season that was and where the program is headed. 

Then Graham and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig in on MSU's basketball program and what's ahead.
And, lastly, some MSU spring football talk.

Michigan State hockey, basketball season reviews

The Michigan State men's basketball team's regular season ended with a loss to Indiana on Sunday, leaving the Spartans with an 18-13 overall record and 10-10 in the conference, making them the 8-seed for this week's Big Ten tournament. 
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dive into this MSU team entering the postseason – whether it has got a run in them and our predictions for the Spartans at the Big Ten tournament.

Can Michigan State make a run in the Big Ten and NCAA tournament?

Things were looking up for the Michigan State men's basketball team after a three-game winning streak, but that came to a screeching halt Tuesday night in a 78-71 home loss to Iowa. 
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dove into the Spartans' loss to the Hawkeyes, what went wrong, the center position, and where this team goes from here.
Then Graham is joined by Nathaniel Bott for a discussion on MSU hockey as the Spartans near a Big Ten title.

MSU Loses to Iowa, A Void at Center and Hockey with Nathaniel Bott

It didn't quite have the importance of years past, but the Michigan State basketball team handled its business in the second half in beating Michigan on Tuesday. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dive into the Spartans' win on this Spartan Speak, along with the state of the program heading into February. 
Plus, a look at Spartan hockey playing for a Big Ten championship as the postseason nears and MSU football, which announced a date for its spring game.

Michigan State football preseason tidbits, Tom Izzo contract extension, listener questions

Download our free app to listen on your phone