In the two weeks following Michigan State basketball's loss to Auburn in the Elite Eight, the Spartans have already seen a shift in the team. Jase Richardson declared for the NBA draft, Tre Holloman transferred to NC State and Kaleb Glenn has transferred in from Florida Atlantic. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into all things Spartan basketball - including what Tom Izzo and his staff can do in...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 6 min
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State basketball team's Sweet 16 game against Chris Beard and Ole Miss.
Mar 28, 2025•28 min
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari look at the state of the Michigan State men's basketball team and the Spartans' NCAA tournament draw. Plus, a look at the MSU women's basketball team's early NCAA tournament draw.
Mar 17, 2025•27 min
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari spend more than an hour talking about Michigan State basketball on this week's Spartan Speak podcast. Discussion topics: Exactly how good is MSU "The Shove" - Skirmish at the end of the Michigan game All-Big Ten teams Big Ten tournament preview
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 17 min
The Michigan State basketball team has responded in a big way over the past few days, defeating Illinois on the road Saturday and earning a top-15 home win over Purdue on Tuesday night. Up next? No. 12 Michigan. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's win over Purdue as the Spartans regain their football. Then, they preview Friday's showdown with the Wolverines, the biggest game betwee...
Feb 19, 2025•46 min
Michigan State men's basketball has lost 3 of 4 games after starting the season 18-2. The Spartans are more than capable of turning things around, but they must do so against a brutal schedule. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the latest with Spartan basketball and how they must rebound Saturday night against Illinois.
Feb 14, 2025•44 min
The Michigan State men's basketball team is rolling. After a big win over Illinois on Sunday, the team was ranked No. 8 in this week's USA TODAY coaches poll. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari talk about the Spartans' win over the Illini, the Big Ten title prospects for this MSU team and look ahead to Saturday's game against Rutgers in New York. Plus, a preview of MSU hockey ahead of its series again...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Graham Couch and Chris Solari discuss the latest with Michigan State's men's basketball team as the Spartans prepare to re-enter Big Ten play. Plus, MSU football recruiting, hockey and women's hoops.
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Michigan State men's basketball team's game vs. Kansas and preview Saturday's football game vs. Illinois.
Nov 15, 2024•36 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari dig into this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game and the current dynamics between the two schools.
Oct 24, 2024•45 min
The boys are back from Northern Michigan after the men's basketball team made the visit up north last weekend and delivered another episode of Spartan Speak! But before that, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari begin the podcast discussing Michigan State's football game with Iowa on Saturday. Then, they move on to the Spartans' game at Northern Michigan and Tom Izzo's homecoming visit to his alma mater.
Oct 17, 2024•53 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari chat about Michigan State's frustrating game against Ohio State and what can be learned from the performance against the Buckeyes. Then the guys look ahead to the brutal matchup with Oregon on a short week and whether or not the Spartans can get their signature moment.
Oct 03, 2024•38 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari have a spirited discussion on the Michigan State football program, coming off Saturday's loss to Boston College and heading into this weekend's upcoming game vs. Ohio State. Plus, the state of MSU basketball heading into Tom Izzo's 30th season and how MSU hockey is back among the best.
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dive into last week's football game at Maryland and how it changed the possibilities for Michigan State's football season. Then they look ahead to what the Spartans can get out of their matchup with Prairie View A&M.
Sep 13, 2024•36 min
The Michigan State football team got off to a rousing start in the Jonathan Smith era, beating Florida Atlantic last Friday. It was also the first game for highly-touted QB Aidan Chiles. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari share their thoughts on the Spartans' win and look ahead to Saturday's Big Ten conference game against Maryland. They end the podcast with a discussion on the MSU basketball team's overseas trip to Spain....
Sep 05, 2024•40 min
Apologies for being away so long (the last podcast was on April 22), but the Spartan Speak podcast is back with a vengeance! With the Moneyball Pro-Am kicking into high gear, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's basketball roster, newcomers and returners, and changing dynamics after Tuesday's Moneyball Pro-Am. Then they talked about the upcoming Big Ten football media days.
Jul 10, 2024•54 min
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.
Apr 22, 2024•48 min
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. ...
Apr 03, 2024•55 min
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 Te...
Mar 13, 2024•55 min
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 hoc...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min
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 ...
Jan 31, 2024•55 min
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 over the next few weeks and Steven Izzo's shot heard around Spartan land. Plus, a little football talk at the end.
Jan 16, 2024•52 min
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 against #6 Baylor, Oakland and Stony Brook. Then, a conversation about MSU football coach Jonathan Smith's first signing day and the happenings around the football program.
Dec 22, 2023•43 min
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 Free Press beat writer Chris Solari do a deep dive on the team – the level of concern, the problems and what can be fixed. Then, a conversation on MSU's quarterback situation, Aidan Chiles and beyond.
Dec 06, 2023•48 min
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 happened, what they think of Smith and the fit and the challenges with the roster right now. Then, they talk MSU hoops – on the point guard situation with A.J. Hoggard and Xavier Booker's role on this team.
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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 Arizona team on Thanksgiving Day. Then, they discuss MSU football's showing at Indiana — Maliq Carr, Katin Houser, etc. — before breaking down the Spartans' finale against Penn State at Ford Field and talking about the coaching search, ...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min
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 which aren't - and then preview MSU's football game at Ohio State.
Nov 07, 2023•56 min
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 and dig into the insanity at Michigan with Connor Stalions and increasing evidence of cheating, before talking MSU hoops after the Tennessee scrimmage and heading into Monday's opener.
Nov 02, 2023•42 min
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 dig into the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal and what it might mean for the Spartans' rivals, before previewing and predicting MSU's football game at Minnesota.
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 5 min
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 this year. But with this rivalry comes weird results. And on this week's Spartan Speak, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview Saturday's game, whether the Spartans have a chance and what it would take to pull an up...
Oct 19, 2023•51 min
