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.

Michigan
Michigan small businesses benefit from overseas trade missions

TROY, Mich. (FOX 2) – The backbone of Michigan’s economy has and continues to be manufacturing, which is why two times a year the state sends 10 small businesses overseas only to return with new customers.
Big picture view:
It’s all thanks to Troy’s Automation Alley and it has worked to the tune of $2.3 billion in new business.
This story starts in the middle with, well, the middle man.
“We want to see our children stay here like everybody,” said Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley. “And we have to create vibrant communities. One of the backbones of Michigan is manufacturing.”
Kelly leads the team at Automation Alley in Troy. Think of them as the bridge that brings Michigan manufacturers directly to the customers.
“There are 12,000 manufacturers in Michigan, we have 4,000 as members,” he said.
He says they have a formula that is proven – and works.
“We take them to these foreign countries, we set up appointments with companies that want to buy their products, and we help them close the deals,” he said. “Since we started, we have generated over $2.3 billion dollars for small manufacturers.”
The two trips coming up with take ten of these small businesses to Querétaro, Mexico in February and Paris, France in June of next year.
“By the way, here’s the kicker, it’s actually subsidized by the State of Michigan,” Kelly said. “So we can cover up to half of your travel expenses on these trade missions because guess what? It’s a huge win for the State of Michigan if you become a net exporter of your product to other countries.”
For those who may be thinking this is only a free trip – think again. Automation Alley has been putting on these trade missions for years.
“We have the relationships, we know who they should be meeting with, and people are people all over the world,” Kelly said.
Those relationships usually lead to lasting relationships, he added.
Automation Alley is an non-profit funded through donor businesses who know the value of Michigan manufacturing.
While the trade missions are important, it’s not all the only thing that happens here.
“Trade missions are only twice a year,” Kelly said. “We have programming all year long that helps you understand Artificial Intelligence, help you make a choice on what robot should I buy. What kind of systems do I need to consider, what are my peers doing in manufacturing that I can emulate and be successful like them.
“All of these things are available free of charge to all 12,000 manufactures in the State of Michigan.”
If you’d like to find out how to sign up your business to take advantage of the trade missions or other programs, just visit automationalley.com

The Source: Information for this report is from an interview with Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley.
Michigan
Warren mayor says running Michigan’s 3rd-largest city full of ‘challenges and surprises’

Warren ― Warren Mayor Lori Stone touted the city’s new defense alliance with Sterling Heights, infrastructure improvements and progress in constructing affordable housing, among other achievements, in her annual State of the City address Tuesday evening.
Stone mentioned the Arsenal Alliance, a regional economic development partnership that is focused on supporting and expanding the multi-billion-dollar defense industry in the two Macomb County cities. The Sterling Heights and Warren city councils approved the partnership in April.
“We are stronger together in growing military and defense assets, providing opportunities for manufacturing to adapt to a changing mobility landscape,” she said.
Stone, who was elected mayor in November 2023, gave her second State of the City address on Tuesday to a crowd of over 100 people at the Warren Community Center Auditorium. She shared the city’s achievements from the past year in economic development, infrastructure, parks and recreation, and other areas.
“Leading the third largest city in Michigan has brought me many joyful and jubilant experiences,” she said, “and it has also brought challenges and surprises.”
In the area of housing, Stone said Baker & Associates Realty Group LLC has broken ground on a project to construct modular housing west of Van Dyke Avenue and north of Toepfer Road. The city is also working with developers on more than 700 workforce housing units, the mayor said.
Stone also said that the city has 31 boards and commissions, such as the Animal Welfare Commission and Senior Health Care Commission. She noted that the city has filled 15 of these bodies completely and still has openings on 16 of them. She asked members of the public to serve on these boards and commissions.
Councilman Jonathan Lafferty was perplexed by the mayor’s decision to highlight vacancies on city boards two years into her first term, arguing that it is “not a success.”
“You don’t highlight the failure to appoint your boards and commissions and your appointees in your administration. You’re two years in,” he said. “This should have been done in the first 90 days. This is not a success.”
Lafferty also said the speech was Stone’s second opportunity to “provide a bold and decisive vision for the city.” He said a State of the City should laud the city’s successes and “chart the vision ahead.”
“Where are we going as a city? How are we going to compete … in the next generation? How are we going to attract businesses for an economically diverse future?” he said. “The speech completely lacked all of those essential elements.”
In an interview after her speech, Stone said one of her goals for the year ahead is the start of the city’s parks and recreation master plan. The plan will look at how the city manages its parks and recreation centers, what programming is available and what is needed, she said.
Defense sector
Warren has the Detroit Arsenal, which is home to U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). Stone said after the speech that there are communities that are “prepared to compete to attract the Detroit Arsenal away from Warren.”
Warren and Sterling Heights are each contributing $250,000 annually to the Arsenal Alliance initiative.
“By paying attention, by advocating, by fighting for and expanding on the ability to draw down federal funds, it grows our economy, and it lets people know, ‘Back off,” Stone said. “‘Detroit Arsenal, it belongs here in Metro Detroit.’”
Infrastructure
Stone touted the city’s new Stephens Road Detention Basin during her address. The city held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and plaque dedication in February for the $37.5 million basin, which city officials say will reduce basement flooding and result in fewer sewage discharges into the Red Run Drain.
After playing a video showing the basin being built, Stone said, “Warren, we did that. We did that,” leading to applause from the audience.
She also praised the fact that the city secured a $100 million low-interest loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for a project to replace the city’s aging sludge incinerator.
asnabes@detroitnews.com
Michigan
Michigan football HC Sherrone Moore previews Michigan State rivalry, highlights team progress, injuries

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore highlighted key player developments and preparations for the upcoming rivalry game against Michigan State.
It’s rivalry week as the Wolverines head to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday (Oct. 25) inside Spartan Stadium.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
Moore praised offensive lineman Blake Frazier, who recently had his first extended playing time.
“Really proud of the player he’s become,” Moore said.
Frazier has gained significant weight since joining the team, now around 300 pounds, and has shown steady progression through extra reps and experience.
Fourth down conversion
On the team’s struggles converting fourth downs this season, Moore emphasized execution.
“We lost a block on one play that could have been a touchdown, and we dropped a pass,” Moore said. “We’ve got to fix that as a team.”
Injuries
Discussing injuries, Moore noted some players might return to practice soon but will be evaluated week by week.
When asked about Evan Link’s injury, Moore said he thought he was lost for the season, but he and the team are expecting him back this season.
He said Frazier will start, and Brady Norton will play some offensive tackle while moving guys around accordingly.
Moore also said star running back Justice Haynes has been practicing and could possibly play this weekend.
Michigan State week
Moore also spoke about the significance of Michigan State week, especially for younger players.
“We talk about our rivalries during training camp, but we’ll definitely re-educate the team on what this game means,” Moore said, referencing the Paul Bunyan Trophy and the rivalry’s history.
Reflecting on his own introduction to the rivalry, Moore recalled a memorable 2018 game involving Devin Bush, who was being held back by Moore as he stomped on the Spartans’ logo while trying to fight the whole team.
Moore also talked about the weather conditions, as all four seasons, as it rained, snowed, got cold, and was sunny, all in the same game.
When asked about Michigan State’s key players like quarterback Aidan Chiles and receiver Nick Marsh, Moore highlighted their explosiveness and route-running skills, stressing the need for a strong defensive plan.
Moore acknowledged the physicality and intensity of the rivalry, advising players to focus on execution rather than distractions.
“You’re not going to win the game talking,” Moore said.
Bryce Underwood
On freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood’s performance, Moore praised his ability to evade pressure and make special plays.
“He does some things you can’t coach,” Moore said.
Moore also discussed the growth of the linebacking unit, highlighting standout performances and the young talent’s impact.
He emphasized the team’s urgency moving forward.
“Complacency will take away your edge,” Moore said. “We’ve got to stay hungry throughout this process.”
With the Michigan State game approaching, Moore remains focused on preparation and respect for the rivalry.
“Records don’t matter,” Moore said. “We’re going to get their best, and they’re going to get ours.”
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