Michigan
Michigan State basketball vs Auburn score prediction: Elite 8 March Madness pick is in
MSU basketball: Video analysis of the Spartans’ win over Mississippi
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and columnist Shawn Windsor analyze MSU’s win over Ole Miss.
Scouting Michigan State basketball vs. Auburn
Breaking down Sunday’s South region final between No. 2-seed Michigan State basketball and 1-seed Auburn:
Matchup: Michigan State (30-6) vs. Auburn (31-5).
Fast facts: 5:05 p.m. Sunday; State Farm Arena, Atlanta.
TV: CBS.
At stake: Winner advances to the Final Four in San Antonio to face West region winner (1-seed Florida or 3-seed Texas Tech) in national semifinals on April 5.
About MSU
Location: East Lansing.
Coach: Tom Izzo (30 seasons at MSU, 737-301 career).
School NCAA tournament record: 76-36 in 37 appearances.
Past 10 games: 9-1.
Scoring leaders: Jaden Akins, 12.8 points per game, Jase Richardson 12.2, Tre Holloman 9.3.
Rebounding leaders: Jaxon Kohler 7.4 rebounds per game, Carson Cooper 5.3, Szymon Zapala 4.
Assist leaders: Jeremy Fears Jr. 5.5 assists per game, Holloman 3.8, Richardson 1.9.
3-point leaders: Richardson 42%, Fears 34.2%, Holloman 34%, Kohler 34%.
The buzz: After entering the season unranked and with tepid outside expectations, the Spartans blew away league competition to win Izzo’s record-tying 11th Big Ten regular-season championship. MSU is in its 11th Elite Eight under Izzo after putting together three hard-fought victories to get there — eventually pulling away from pesky 15-seed Bryant by 25 points in the opening round, then grinding out an eight-point win over 10-seed New Mexico in Cleveland. No game, however, might have been more grueling than the Spartans’ Sweet 16 win Friday night in Atlanta, as the Spartans didn’t get their first lead until more than 32 minutes in against Mississippi before getting enough stops and some key baskets and free throws for a 73-70 victory over the 6-seeded Rebels. It came with more strong play from Richardson, who scored 20 points for the sixth time his freshman season. However, MSU continues to see an uptick in production from sophomore forward Coen Carr, who had 15 points in his starting debut, and another strong floor game from redshirt freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (four points, six assists).
The Spartans went 19-for-22 on free throws after struggling down the stretch and in the first two rounds, drawing 20 fouls and making all 10 of their attempts at the line in the final 7:50. They are 19th nationally at 77.8% by averaging 17.5 free throws (13th) while attempting 22.5 per game (32nd). MSU also held Ole Miss to 9-for-27 from 3-point range, and Izzo’s defense holds opponents to just 28% from the arc, which is second in the nation. Expect a fresh Zapala, after sitting out the tough matchup against the quicker, undersized Rebels, to log more minutes against Auburn after the Spartans were outrebounded (33-29) on Friday.
About Auburn
Location: Auburn, Alabama.
Coach: Bruce Pearl (231-124 in 11 seasons at Auburn, 693-269 in 30 seasons overall).
School NCAA tournament record: 22-12 in 13 appearances.
Past 10 games: 7-3.
Scoring leaders: Johni Broome 18.5 points per game, Chad Baker-Mazara 12.3, Tahaad Pettiford 11.8, Miles Kelly 11.5, Denver Jones 11.
Rebounding leaders: Broome 10.8 rebounds per game, Dylan Cardwell 4.9, Chaney Johnson 4.9.
Assist leaders: Pettiford 2.9 assists per game, Broome 2.9, Baker-Mazara 2.6, Jones 2.6.
3-point leaders: Jones 42.4%, Kelly 38.6%, Baker-Mazara 37.9%, Pettiford 37.6%.
The buzz: Despite stumbling into the tournament in losing three of its last four (to NCAA squads Texas A&M, Alabama and Tennessee), the Tigers still earned the overall No. 1 seed and blew through 16-seed Alabama State by 20 and 9-seed Creighton by 12 in Lexington, Kentucky, before eliminating 5-seed Michigan on Friday night, 78-65. Broome, a 6-10 senior forward, had 16 rebounds against the Wolverines, including nine on the offensive glass, but went just 9-for-21 in getting his 22 points as Auburn shot just 39.4% overall and went 8-for-28 from 3-point range. According to kenpom.com, the Tigers have the nation’s third-most efficient offense and eighth-most efficient defense, with their 83.6 points scored 12th nationally and their 29.6% 3-point defense 11th-best. Auburn’s 9.4 turnovers per game ranks 12th in the country, but U-M forced Pearl’s team into 15 on Friday. Pettiford is the catalyst of the Tigers’ offense, a 6-1 freshman from New Jersey who was a McDonald’s All-American a year ago and whose attacking style and slight frame is a little reminiscent of former MSU combo guard Tyson Walker. Containing his quickness off the dribble, play-making ability and left-handed outside shooting will be equally as critical for the Spartans’ defense Sunday as it is to mix-and-match big bodies against Broome. Meantime, the Tigers’ complementary players all can score and present another long-armed defensive problem for MSU’s perimeter players.
Chris Solari’s March Madness prediction for Michigan State basketball vs. Auburn
Don’t be fooled by the offensive capabilities of these two teams, both Izzo and Pearl know the key in this will be defending each other at an elite level. For the Spartans, that means alternating their bigs on Broome and their guards on Pettiford to keep them confused and force the rest of the Tigers’ eight-man rotation to play above their averages. Auburn can get sloppy, but MSU also must continue to play through their own mistakes and keep it close into the second half, where Izzo’s adjustments and his players’ sheer will to win send the Spartans back to his ninth Final Four, and first since 2019. The pick: MSU 68, Auburn 66.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
Subscribe to the “Spartan Speak” podcast for new episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
EAST LANSING – The lengthy delay for Tom Izzo to go from locker room to postgame press conference was a sign.
The Michigan State coach called out his team’s lack of energy in the second half of last week’s 79-60 win against San Jose State and promised the roster would be challenged. Less than 72 hours later, Izzo was a lot more upbeat about his team.
“We’ve had two of the best practices I’ve had in two years,” Izzo said after the team wrapped up on Sunday. “What will that mean? I don’t know but they got after it. And, by the way, they took it. And, by the way, they gave some of it, so that puts me in a good mood too, to be honest with you.”
This is a good time for No. 17 Michigan State (3-0) to answer an early bell with an annual marquee game on tap. The Spartans will face No. 9 Kentucky (3-1) on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s been physical, it’s been more focused,” point guard Jeremy Fears said of weekend practices. “I think we’ve just got to understand that we have to be more focused.”
Michigan State is the defending Big Ten champion but is still in the very early stages of testing a new roster. There are four starting spots seemingly locked up with returning co-captains in Fears, wing Coen Carr and bigs Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper.
Fears was exempt from Izzo’s postgame tongue-lashing after San Jose State crept back within 10 after being down 23 at the half. Fears is the guy running the show on the floor and there are hiccups to work through.
“A lot of new guys, (defensive) scouts and things change day by day,” Fears said, “so you can’t come in expecting to see one thing or another thing to happen. … I think the sooner we’re able to realize and understand that, we’ll keep getting better.”
Michigan State lost a lot of experience and guard play after reaching the Elite Eight last season. Jase Richardson wasn’t expected to be a one-and-done first-round NBA pick. Tre Holloman’s transfer departure for NC State was also a surprise so Izzo hit the portal with four additions.
From the seniors who have been with Izzo since day one to the newcomers, being called out after a 19-point win isn’t unexpected.
“They told me what they want to accomplish, that’s the difference with me,” Izzo said. “I don’t put goals up every year that are my goals. I say give me a piece of paper, tell me what you want to accomplish then I’ll work mine in within that. They tell me what they want to accomplish, it’s my job to hold them accountable to that.”
After dropping its exhibition finale at UConn, Michigan State won its first three games that count, including a ranked victory against Arkansas. The Spartans will leave the Breslin Center for an early national spotlight at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s always one of the most watched nights of basketball and I look at that as a privilege,” Izzo said. “Yeah, we had to earn it, but it’s still a privilege to play in it so I’m excited to go to New York, I’m excited to see where we are.”
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LANSING, Mich,. (WPBN/WGTU) – – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is set to intervene in DTE’s recent request to raise natural gas rates by 8%.
The request, submitted to the Michigan Public Service Commission, could result in a 10% increase in bills for DTE gas customers, with at least an 8% hike for residential users.
The Attorney General’s office, alongside energy experts, plans to scrutinize the filing to ensure that customers are not burdened with additional costs that lack tangible benefits for their households.
Michigan
Michigan’s Underrated City Packed With Lakes, Trails, And A Buzzing Downtown Is Tucked Between Detroit And Lansing – Islands
Michigan is famous for its natural beauty, and it contains plenty of gorgeous lakes and sandy beaches that are kayaking havens. On top of that, the Great Lakes State is also full of excellent hiking, waterfalls, and quaint small towns, many of which can be seen on the Lake Superior Circle Tour through the northern part of the state. However, if you are planning a trip to Michigan and will be driving between Lansing and Detroit (the Midwest spot vying for the title of the best new art city), one underrated Michigan city you should stop in is Brighton.
Located around 45 minutes east of Lansing and 50 minutes west of Detroit, Brighton is the perfect small town escape for travelers looking for trails, gorgeous lakes, and a buzzing downtown. In fact, downtown Brighton is full of independent shops and restaurants that are just waiting to be explored. Located off Main Street, visitors can check out unique stores like 2 Dandelions Bookshop, Natural View Market, Town to Trail Outfitters, and many more. Some restaurants worth checking out are Sidecar Slider Bar, which specializes in gourmet sliders and delicious cocktails, and Captain’s on Main, which is known for serving delicious pizza and local beers. For those craving something sweet, Blank Slate Creamery offers some of the most scrumptious all-natural ice creams known to mankind. Consider getting yours to-go and relaxing at South Ore Creek, which is right next to downtown.
Explore Brighton’s trails and hikes
Michigan is well-known for its abundance of beautiful hiking trails. And the best part of hiking in the Great Lakes State is the sheer amount of water views and the fact that most trails are pretty flat. This makes Michigan trails perfect for hikers who want to get out and stretch their legs without having to scramble over jagged rock faces or worry about dangerous trails.
The Penosha Trail is a popular hike in the area. At about 5 miles in length, this hike is well-kept and offers visitors plenty of leafy shade and pretty views. It takes about two hours to complete, though there are plenty of offshoots to explore if you’d like to be out in the wilderness all day. Another popular hike — the Wildwing Trail – is significantly shorter. It’s only about 2 miles long and takes under an hour to complete. If you’re into birding with a side of tranquil lake views, this is the hike for you.
Brighton is a year-round destination, and it has plenty to do in winter and early spring, including skiing. The Mt. Brighton ski resort provides courses and instructions for snowboarding and skiing for everyone, from first-time enthusiasts to experts. If you decide to visit Brighton while there’s snow on the ground, be sure to spend a day hitting the slopes.
Enjoy lake views in Brighton, Michigan
Brighton is absolutely packed with gorgeous lakes of all sizes, ranging from tiny waterbodies with no names to the larger Brighton Lake. If you want to cast a line and get some fishing in, try out Woodland Lake. One Google reviewer raved that it had great fishing with, “…lots of good cover and structures for the big hogs! The pike are aggressive here in late summer!” The only complaint about this lake seems to be that parking is limited. Some reviewers even mentioned that it’s a good spot for ice fishing in winter.
For a relaxing day on the lake that doesn’t necessarily involve touching and gutting slimy fish, you should head to Island Lake Recreation Area. The area allows you and your family members to partake in a number of activities, ranging from relaxing on the beach and taking a dip in the water to paddling, biking, or hunting. Spanning 4,000 acres of gorgeous Michigan wilderness, it’s easy to lose track of time in this outdoor paradise.
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