Spartan Speak

Spartan Speak episodes:

• 04.22.2024

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

  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...

  
• 04.03.2024

  Michigan State hockey, basketball season reviews

  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...

  
• 03.13.2024

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

  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...

  
• 02.21.2024

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

  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...

  
• 01.31.2024

  Late-season push begins for MSU basketball after beating Michigan

  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...

  
• 01.16.2024

  Checking in on MSU basketball 6 games into the Big Ten season

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dive in on MSU basketball – what's going well, what isn't, the possibility the Spartans could go on a run...

  
• 12.22.2023

  Michigan State basketball is good again, plus football Signing Day thoughts

  On a holiday edition of the Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the latest with the Michigan State basketball team, which is surging after winning three straight games...

  
• 12.06.2023

  Concerns, problems mount for Michigan State basketball

  The Michigan State men's basketball team continues to be plagued with questions after the Spartans' home loss to Wisconsin to open Big Ten play on Tuesday. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit...

  
• 12.01.2023

  How Michigan State football landed Jonathan Smith as its new coach

  There's a new football coach at Michigan State, with the Spartans announcing the hire of Oregon State's Jonathan Smith. On this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss how it...

  
• 11.21.2023

  Third-ranked Arizona awaits MSU basketball, Penn State preview, Harlon Barnett's performance and the future coaching search

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into the Michigan State men's basketball's recent performance and preview a measuring stick game against a daunting and unbeaten...

  
• 11.07.2023

  Reaction to MSU basketball's loss to James Madison, Ohio State football preview

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari react to the Michigan State men's basketball team's loss to James Madison - why it happened, which concerns are real and...

  
• 11.02.2023

  Nebraska preview, Connor Stalions and Michigan football cheating scandal, MSU hoops begins season Monday

  On this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari begin by discussing Michigan State football's QB situation and Saturday's game against Nebraska.  Then, they get to the seedier side of things...

  
• 10.26.2023

  Analyzing MSU basketball's performance vs. Hillsdale, Michigan sign-stealing scandal, Minnesota football preview

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari analyze Michigan State basketball's exhibition win over Hillsdale, including what stood out from MSU's freshman and several other players. Then they...

  
• 10.19.2023

  Michigan Week has a different feel than year's past for MSU football

  It's Michigan Week, people! But this year has a different feel, as the Wolverines are playing like they're on top of the world, while Michigan State has lost its head coach and the quality of play has been severely lacking...

  
• 10.11.2023

  Does Urban Meyer fit the bill for Michigan State football? Plus: NIL turmoil, Rutgers preview

  The Spartan Speak podcast returns after a two-week layoff! Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free beat writer Chris Solari have plenty to cover as the Michigan State football team is coming off a bye week in...

  
• 09.20.2023

  The state of Michigan State's football program without Mel Tucker

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the State of the Spartans football program, in the wake of Mel Tucker's sexual harassment lawsuit and this week's...

  
• 09.15.2023

  Washington preview, Harlon Barnett's debut and Mark Dantonio's return

  The news surrounding Mel Tucker's suspension due to a sexual harassment complaint is ever-evolving, but for Friday's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist and Detroit Free Press beat write Chris Solari keep everything completely on the field.  Episode topics...

  
• 09.11.2023

  Reaction, fallout to MSU suspending Mel Tucker following Title IX sexual harassment complaint

  The Michigan State football team beat Richmond on Saturday to improve to 2-0, but that's on the backburner now as an investigative story from USA TODAY's Kenny Jacoby that coach Mel Tucker was being investigated in a Title IX sexual...

  
• 09.06.2023

  MSU shows bright spots in CMU win, with room to improve vs. Richmond

  The Michigan State football team kicked off its 2023 season last week with a win over Central Michigan, with one half (the second) much better than the other.  With FCS squad Richmond coming to Spartan Stadium this weekend, MSU will have...

  
• 08.30.2023

  A mostly-quiet preseason sets up fascinating Week 1 matchup with Central Michigan

  It's been a bit of a different preseason for Michigan State football. There hasn't officially been any indication as to who the Spartans' starting quarterback will be, and in a press conference this week, coach Mel Tucker didn't specifically mention...

  
• 08.24.2023

  Breaking down MSU's depth chart as game week nears

  We're only a mere eight days away from Michigan State football's season-opening game against Central Michigan. And since the last podcast, some developments have occurred. On this week's episode, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press...

  
• 08.02.2023

  Noah Kim or Katin Houser? Analyzing each position group as fall camp starts Thursday

  Quite frankly, we've been gone way too long. Almost three months, in fact. But that changes today as Michigan State football's fall camp begins Thursday. Fall is near, and that means that Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and...

  
• 05.01.2023

  Payton Thorne, Keon Coleman, Charles Brantley departures send shockwaves

  Michigan State football news was hot and heavy on Sunday, as the Spartan football lost three starters to the transfer portal: First, it was two-year starting QB Payton Thorne; then, expected No. 1 receiver Keon Coleman left; and last, CB...

  
• 04.17.2023

  Payton Thorne remains QB1 for MSU football after spring game

  Michigan State held its spring football game on Saturday. Although it was mostly a glorified practice, there was plenty for Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari to see.  They discuss the QB...

  
• 03.28.2023

  Reflections on MSU's loss to Kansas State, next year's roster, spring football update

  The boys are back from NYC following Michigan State's NCAA tournament loss to Kansas State in the Sweet 16. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari reflect on the Spartans' loss and whether...

  
• 03.24.2023

  Analyzing Michigan State’s loss to Kansas State and what might have been

  The Lansing State Journal's Graham Couch and the Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari and Shawn Windsor break down Michigan State's Sweet 16 overtime defeat to Kansas State, in what was an instant classic. 

  
• 03.20.2023

  Tom Izzo, Michigan State strike again in March

  There's a reason the "January, February, Izzo" saying exists, and the Michigan State basketball team is advancing to its 15th Sweet 16 under Tom Izzo, upsetting 2-seed Marquette 69-60 on Sunday.  Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press...

  
• 03.14.2023

  MSU-USC in NCAA tournament, Suzy Merchant steps down, spring football

  It was a busy past two days in Michigan State athletics, and we're here to cover it all for you: The Spartans are set to play USC in the NCAA Tournament, spring football practice begins, and women's basketball coach Suzy...

  
• 03.08.2023

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

  On this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview this week's Big Ten tournament, discussing which schools need wins the most and predict who will win the tournament.  Then, moving...

  
• 03.03.2023

  A look back at Iowa, Nebraska games ahead of senior day

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari get caught up on the Michigan State basketball's last two games against Iowa and Nebraska, look ahead to this...

  
• 02.20.2023

  Emotional night for MSU basketball vs. Michigan in wake of campus shooting

  It has been a difficult week, to put it lightly, following the shooting at Michigan State on Feb. 13 that left three students dead and five wounded. In the background of that horrific event, Saturday's Michigan State-Michigan basketball game was...

  
• 02.10.2023

  MSU gets by Maryland, Malik Hall struggles, Ohio State's questionable KenPom ranking

  On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' win over Maryland on Tuesday, the struggles of Malik Hall and the three-man center rotation of Mady Sissoko, Jaxon...

  
• 01.23.2023

  Indiana exposes some of Michigan State's flaws in 13-point win

  In the midst of a condensed schedule, the podcast returns following Michigan State's loss at Indiana on Sunday. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' 82-69 loss to the Hoosiers,...

  
• 12.29.2022

  Keon Coleman, Malik Hall and evaluating MSU football signing day

  After a month off, Spartan Speak returns! Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press Michigan State beat writer Chris Solari have plenty to discuss with the MSU men's basketball season in full swing.  They discuss Keon Coleman's decision...

  
• 11.29.2022

  MSU football season (likely) ends, hoops at PK85, latest in U-M tunnel fight

  After traveling to State College and Portland, respectively, Chris and Graham are back for the latest episode of Spartan Speak.  They discuss the Michigan State football team's loss to Penn State, likely a season-ender with a 5-7 record, the basketball team's...

  
• 11.18.2022

  Mady Sissoko's rise continues as MSU basketball beats Kentucky

  Things are looking up for the Michigan State basketball team after the Spartans beat Kentucky in double overtime, thanks in large part to Malik Hall's dunks at the end of regulation and the first overtime. But the biggest revelation has...

  
• 11.09.2022

  MSU basketball secures No. 3 recruiting class, plus the latest in the MSU-Michigan tunnel skirmish

  Wednesday was National Signing Day for college basketball, and all four of Michigan State's commits - Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears, Coen Carr and Gehrig Normand - sent in their letters of intent, meaning coach Tom Izzo has secured the nation's...

  
• 11.03.2022

  The fallout continues from the MSU-Michigan tunnel skirmish

  There was a game played Saturday night, but nobody's talking about that. Instead, the post-game altercations that occurred in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after the game have taken center stage. Eight Spartans have been suspended - and Detroit Free Press...

  
• 10.26.2022

  Michigan State aims for another twist in Michigan football rivalry

  There's no mistaking it. The Michigan Wolverines are flying high with a 7-0 record and a No. 4 national ranking. Michigan State is 3-4 and recently ended a four-game losing streak with an overtime win over Wisconsin.  But this in-state rivalry...

  
• 10.18.2022

  Midseason report card for Michigan State football

  With the Spartans on a bye week, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch brought out their red pens this week to grade the Michigan State football team offense, defense, special teams and...

  
• 10.13.2022

  MSU woes piling up on defense, offense, recruiting heading into Wisconsin game

  The Michigan State football team's losing streak reached four after getting blown out by Ohio State on Saturday. The Spartans' issues continue to pile up, as Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and...

  
• 10.06.2022

  Ohio State's well-oiled machine invades Spartan Stadium on Saturday

  There isn't much to grab on to the last three games if you're a Michigan State fan, as the Spartans prepare to host No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.  Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari, Lansing State Journal sports...

  
• 09.29.2022

  Michigan State finds itself an underdog against Maryland

  The Michigan State football team is at a crossroads once again after getting thumped at home by Minnesota. Now, all of the sudden, Saturday's opponent, Maryland - which is coming off a near-upset of Michigan - is an 8.5-point favorite....

  
• 09.22.2022

  Why Minnesota is a season-altering game for Michigan State football

  After an offseason of heightened expectations, the Michigan State football team couldn't get through the nonconference slate unscathed after losing at Washington last weekend.  Now, the Spartans face a veteran Minnesota team that has the potential to completely upend MSU's season....

  
• 09.15.2022

  Evaluating Payton Thorne's performance after two games

  On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch discuss the performance of Michigan State QB Payton Thorne, who has had a bit of a rollercoaster performance in...

  
• 09.07.2022

  How Michigan State looks without Darius Snow and Xavier Henderson; Akron preview

  We've got an actual, live college football game to reach to on this week's Spartan Speak! Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch discuss Michigan State's win over Western Michigan that proved a...

  
• 08.31.2022

  Michigan State football season predictions

  Michigan State football's season opener is Friday night against Western Michigan. Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch get you caught up on what to expect in the game, discuss the newest...

  
• 08.24.2022

  Michigan State football observations, listener questions

  Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch catch you up on the latest news in Michigan State sports.  This week's topics: Football and basketball recruiting 6 MSU football observations (Keon Coleman and special teams among the...

  
• 08.13.2022

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

  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...

  
• 04.21.2022

  Julius Marble hits the transfer portal, Joey Hauser's staying, spring game wrap-up

  Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari are two of the few people in the world who have already seen the new Magic Johnson documentary, "They Call Me Magic," which airs on Apple+...