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Overheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Got rocked and a lot of slop

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Overheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Got rocked and a lot of slop


EAST LANSING – The Spartans just capped a winless October with a defeat against their top rival.

Michigan State (3-5, 0-5 Big Ten) lost 31-20 against No. 25 Michigan (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday night for their fifth straight defeat overall and fourth in a row against the Wolverines.

Here are notable quotes from embattled second-year Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith and players after the game:

Smith on the overall performance: “Obviously it’s just not good enough. I thought these guys prepared throughout the week, energized for this one and it came down to sloppy play.”

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Quarterback Aidan Chiles grading his own performance after finishing 14-for-28 passing for 130 yards, a fumble and a rushing touchdown: “D-minus. Careless with the ball, not very good in the passing game.”

Smith on the quality of Michigan’s defense: “They’ve got a solid scheme, they’ve got solid players, we definitely helped them to look better.”

Linebacker Jordan Hall on the defense: “We did a lot of good today. We just didn’t do well enough when it mattered most.”

Smith on the offense, which had just 14 yards and zero first downs in the opening quarter: “I think about offensively, the execution side, playing catch. We’ve got a guy open, we’re not throwing an accurate ball, we’ve got a couple drops there. I do think the protection was hit and miss a little bit on edges there.”

Smith on the defense, which forced six punts and generated one turnover: “I did think the effort defensively, those guys played with passion throughout the night.”

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Smith on a questionable offsides call against defensive back Malcolm Bell that wiped out a third-quarter fumble recovery by the Spartans: “That’s a gut punch. You’re not going to get every call go your way, those are bang-bang. I’m not here to say this thing is easy to officiate, I’ll just say again I’ve seen that not called plenty of times.”

Hall on having the play overturned: “I didn’t know what was happening until I was on the field the next play.”

Smith on keeping the offense on the field to get stopped on fourth-and-3 from the Michigan 27 while down 11 points early in the fourth quarter: “We were going to need a touchdown at some point during the game and where our distance was, that’s not a guaranteed three points. … It felt like the best call was to go get a touchdown on that drive.”

Chiles on getting downfield for a block on Makhi Frazier’s 49-yard run in the second quarter: “I just decided to lead block. I got rocked but it is what it is but it helped him get a few more yards. Just being a team guy, nothing special.”

Smith on his mild-mannered approach: “If I felt like there was a lack of effort going on, yeah, I’d be pretty pissed off at that but I don’t feel that in any way in our guys.”

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Smith on his message to fans: “Understand it, know that we’re frustrated at the same point. Staff, players, all of us, we are working to get this thing better and it was not good enough tonight.”

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land


The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr.  is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

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Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here

Morez Johnson Jr. player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

  • Position: Forward-Center
  • Current Team: Michigan
  • 13.1 points per game
  • 7.2 rebounds per game
  • 1.1 assists per game
  • 62.8% field goal percentage
  • 37.9% three-point field goal percentage

Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks



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Woman struck, fatally injured, while walking on the Lodge Freeway, state police say

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Woman struck, fatally injured, while walking on the Lodge Freeway, state police say



A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit. 

Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported. 

When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured. 

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Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified. 

The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene. 

“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said. 

The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.  

Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site. 

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State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP. 



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List of active weather alerts as severe weather moves through Southeast Michigan

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List of active weather alerts as severe weather moves through Southeast Michigan


Severe storms bring risk of tornadoes, hail, flooding

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Lenawee County. (Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.)

4Warn Weather – The severe thunderstorm warnings in Monroe and Lenawee counties have expired.

A ground stoppage has also been deployed.

Click here for the latest forecast from our 4Warn Weather team.

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Here’s a list of the alerts by county.

Wayne County

  • No active weather alerts.

Oakland County

  • No active weather alerts.

Macomb County

  • No active weather alerts.

Washtenaw County

  • No active weather alerts.

Monroe County

  • Severe thunderstorm warning expired at 8 p.m.

Livingston County

  • No active weather alerts.

Lenawee County

  • Severe thunderstorm warning expired at 7:45 p.m.

Lapeer County

  • No active weather alerts.

Genesee County

  • No active weather alerts.

St. Clair County

  • No active weather alerts.

Sanilac County

  • No active weather alerts.




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