Spartan Confidential Podcast
by MLive Media Group
The latest analysis on Michigan State football, basketball and recruiting. From Spartan Stadium to the Breslin Center and everywhere in between, join host Brandon Champion and MLive.com's Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel as they breakdown all the biggest stories from the banks of the Red Cedar.
Episodes
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MSU hoops faces crucial offseason after frustrating year
Michigan State’s season ends after NCAA Tournament loss to North Carolina. What’s next for Tom Izzo and the Spartans? Plus, we look ahead at the hockey team's epic turnaround, and preview their tournament draw.
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Can Michigan State make another patented Tom Izzo tournament run?
The Spartans dominated Mississippi State in the opening round and face No. 1 seed North Carolina. Meanwhile, the hockey team gets ready for a massive Big Ten Tournament final against the Wolverines.
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It's MSU vs. MSU in the NCAA Tournament
Michigan State sweats out Selection Sunday, then gets 9 seed to set up MSU showdown vs. Mississippi State. What are the chances the Spartans find more March magic?
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2024 Big Ten basketball tournament preview
Michigan State loses at Indiana and now must open Big Ten tourney play vs. Minnesota in Minneapolis. What are the chances the Spartans make a run to secure their spot in March Madness?
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Super seniors save Michigan State in Breslin finale
Malik Hall and Tyson Walker close out their home careers in style, Tre Holloman comes up clutch and tears flow after a must-have senior day win vs. Northwestern.
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Bad home losses send Michigan State toward bubble
Ohio State wins at the buzzer. Xavier Booker starts, then gets benched. Meanwhile, MSU hockey is playing for a Big Ten title!
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MSU hoops' bumpy ride continues; hockey closes in on Big Ten title
Michigan State's momentum stalls vs. Iowa, Chris Kapilovic gets a new job and the hockey team is closing in on a Big Ten title.
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MSU hoops finding its form ahead of rivalry rematch
Malik Hall's career night propels Michigan State in State College, but Tom Izzo is still looking for consistency ahead of road game vs. rival Michigan.
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Bricks in the barn
Michigan State gives away points at the line in a frustrating loss to Minnesota. Tom Izzo vents, and Jonathan Smith finalizes his first class of Spartan recruits.
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Michigan State milestones highlight rivalry win
Tom Izzo beats Michigan to get win No. 700, Jaden Akins finds his shot, and Michigan State looks primed for a February run through the Big Ten
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Michigan State's won three straight, midseason mailbag
Michigan State finally gets a road win by beating Maryland, but faces another tough test at Wisconsin. Also, listener questions about the transfer portal, Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker, MSU's tourney potential and more.
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Why we’re optimistic on MSU hoops
We discuss the Spartans' return to winning ways as Steven Izzo scores, Kyle Austin swears, and Jonathan Smith adds more fresh faces to the football program.
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What's working, what isn't as Michigan State heads to Illinois
We take a closer look at the state of Michigan State basketball following a disappointing loss to Northwestern and preview a huge road game at Illinois. Also, some breaking football news.
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How Michigan State hoops has turned its season around
We recap Michigan State's dominant win against Penn State before previewing the Spartans' trip to Northwestern. Also, football updates.
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Takeaways from Jonathan Smith's first MSU recruiting class
We break down Jonathan Smith's first recruiting class as Michigan State head coach before discussing what is driving the basketball team's return to form.
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"Wait for basketball season," they said...
We recap Michigan State Basketball's loss to Nebraska before taking a look at changes to the football team's roster and coaching staff.
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Can Michigan State's early-season issues be fixed?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State basketball's disappointing loss to Wisconsin and discuss positions the football team will need to target in the transfer portal.
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What is Jonathan Smith's path to success at Michigan State?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel react to Michigan State hiring Oregon State's Jonathan Smith to be its next head football coach.
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Penn State, Arizona hoops on MSU's Thanksgiving menu
The confidential crew recaps a trio of Michigan State wins before previewing its football game against Penn State, and a huge Thanksgiving hoops showdown against Arizona.
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MSU suffers Champions Classic loss, but its been here before
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss the good, bad and the ugly from Michigan State's loss to Duke in the Champions Classic before recapping the football team's latest blowout loss to Ohio State.
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James Madison upsets Michigan State. Now what?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel react to Michigan State basketball's shocking season-opening loss to James Madison and the football team's much-needed win against Nebraska on Senior Day.
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2023-24 Michigan State basketball preview
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's loss to Minnesota before previewing the 2023-24 basketball season.
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Ranking 9 Michigan State football coaching candidates
Reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel share nine names that could be potential candidates for Michigan State’s head football coach opening.
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Confidential Crossover: Rivalry week is here in Michigan
Have things cooled after last year's tunnel drama? Do the Spartans stand a chance? MSU beat writer Matt Wenzel joins wolverines reporters Aaron McMann and Ryan Zuke for a behind-the-scenes look at how the two teams are handling an important week.
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Michigan State is an underdog at Rutgers
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel preview Michigan State's game at Rutgers before taking a quick look at the basketball team's two 5-star freshmen: Jeremy Fears Jr. and Xavier Booker.
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QB questions, Michigan State faces first road test at Iowa
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's sloppy homecoming loss to Maryland before previewing its first road game against Iowa. Also, a look at MSU's Big Ten basketball schedule.
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Mel Tucker out, MSU blasted by Washington
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel react to the latest news in the Mel Tucker saga. Then, they reflect on a woeful performance against Washington's high-powered offense before looking ahead to the Spartans' Big Ten opener against Maryland.
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Unpacking Mel Tucker's messy suspension + what's next for Michigan State
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel react to shocking news regarding football coach Mel Tucker before discussing what's next for the football program.
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The good and bad from Michigan State's season-opening win
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap the positives and negatives from Michigan State's season-opening win against Central Michigan. Also, a quick look at MSU hoops' non-conference schedule.
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Central Michigan preview + breaking basketball news
MLive reporters take a look at Michigan State's linebackers, secondary and special teams before previewing the season-opener vs. Central Michigan. Also, some breaking basketball news!
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O-Line, D-Line... Beer Line!
The Spartan Confidential team shines the spotlight on the big guys with an in depth look at Michigan State's offensive and defensive lines. Also, alcohol is finally coming to Spartan Stadium.
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Who will emerge as Michigan State's next go-to pass catcher?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Michigan State's talented-but-mostly unproven pass catching options for the 2023 football season. Also, realignment's impact on Big Ten basketball.
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Realignment reactions + Who will start at QB and RB?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel offer spirited opinions on college football's latest round of realignment, which includes Washington and Oregon joining an already oversized Big Ten. Then they dig into Michigan State's position battles at quarterback and running back.
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MSU Takeaways from Big Ten Media Days
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel talk Michigan State football after Matt's trip to Indianapolis for Big Ten media days.
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Moneyball Pro-Am offers first look at Spartan 'OKGs'
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Kyle Austin look to the future of Michigan State basketball with Moneyball Pro-Am observations of the loaded 2023 class and a deep dive into its two commits in the 2024 class.
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Mady Sissoko's charity work, Big Ten restructuring, and some Spartan football speculation
Hundreds of children in rural Mali will have better access to education, health care and clean water thanks to the Mady Sissoko Foundation. We'll hear from Mady, then discuss the Big Ten football schedule in the coming years. Finally, MLive Spartans reporter Matt Wenzel and host Brandon Champion...
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Michigan State's game vs. Penn State moved to Ford Field, but why?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel return from a spring break to discuss several schedule-related topics including the football team's game vs. Penn State moving to Ford Field in Detroit.
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How concerned should MSU fans be after shocking transfer news?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss the impact of starting QB Payton Thorne and No. 1 wide receiver Keon Coleman entering the transfer potal. Also, Michigan State had three players taken in the NFL draft and an offseason basketball update.
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What we learned from Michigan State's open spring practice
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss their takeaways and observations from Michigan State's open spring football practice at Spartan Stadium. Also, Malik Hall and Tyson Walker return.
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What we're watching as spring football begins
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel discuss several early storylines from Michigan State spring football practice including an ongoing competition at QB, improved depth on the offensive line, a young secondary and impact transfers.
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Was Michigan State's wild basketball season a success?
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's thrilling OT loss to Kansas State in the Sweet 16 before sharing their takeaways from the season as a whole. Also, storylines we're tracking as the offseason begins.
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Michigan State, Kansas State set for Sweet 16 showdown
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's NCAA Tournament wins over USC and Marquette before previewing a Sweet 16 matchup with Kansas State at Madison Square Garden. What are the chances the Spartans reach the Final Four?
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Bonus Drop: Nick Saban swings at collectives and John Ruiz challenges the NCAA, with UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin
In this week's episode of NIL Now, Kevin and Lauren assess Nick Saban’s latest NIL comments about collectives paying players to attend their schools. The hosts then discuss whether or not LifeWallet CEO John Ruiz should be considered a “booster,” after he said he’ll file a lawsuit against the…
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Michigan State looking to revive March magic in NCAA Tournament
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's disappointing performance vs. Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament before taking a look at their draw in the NCAA Tournament, which features a matchup in Columbus vs. USC and a possible showdown with Big East...
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Bonus Drop: NIL Now on Livvy Dunne’s controversial deal and author’s tips for how all athletes can benefit from NIL
In this week's episode of NIL Now, Kevin and Lauren preview NCAA president Charlie Baker's first 100 days in office. The hosts then react to LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne's controversial NIL deal with Caktus AI, an artificial intelligence tool that forced LSU to issue a statement. Reddit CFB’s Bobak...
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2023 Big Ten tournament preview
MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Kyle Austin preview the 2023 Big Ten tournament from a Michigan State angle.
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Making sense of what happened in Iowa City
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's stunning collapse at Iowa and look back at an emotional win vs. Indiana. How are things looking as the calendar flips to March?
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Michigan-Michigan State set rivalry aside on emotional night of basketball
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Saturday's emotional scene at Crisler Center where Michigan and Michigan State set their rivalry aside in the name of compassion, humanity and healing.
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Michigan vs. Michigan State basketball set for rematch
Previewing Saturday's Michigan-Michigan State men's basketball game in Ann Arbor. The Spartans took the first meeting; can they make it a sweep? In what will likely be a strange vibe inside Crisler Center, we discuss what to expect.
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Where Michigan State stands after another Mackey meltdown
MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State basketball's close win against Iowa and blowout loss at Purdue. Also, the Spartans have a new defensive line coach.
About this show
The latest analysis on Michigan State football, basketball and recruiting. From Spartan Stadium to the Breslin Center and everywhere in between, join host Brandon Champion and MLive.com's Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel as they breakdown all the biggest stories from the banks of the Red Cedar.
Hosted by
MLive Media Group