Spartan Confidential Podcast

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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.

MLive Media Group


    • Mar 27, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 153 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Spartan Confidential Podcast

    MSU hoops faces crucial offseason after frustrating year

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 30:17


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Can Michigan State make another patented Tom Izzo tournament run?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 25:15


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    It's MSU vs. MSU in the NCAA Tournament

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 36:05


    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?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2024 Big Ten basketball tournament preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 28:28


    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?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Super seniors save Michigan State in Breslin finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 26:06


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bad home losses send Michigan State toward bubble

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 30:45


    Ohio State wins at the buzzer. Xavier Booker starts, then gets benched. Meanwhile, MSU hockey is playing for a Big Ten title! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    MSU hoops' bumpy ride continues; hockey closes in on Big Ten title

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 28:28


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    MSU hoops finding its form ahead of rivalry rematch

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 26:35


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bricks in the barn

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 33:52


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State milestones highlight rivalry win

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 30:04


    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State's won three straight, midseason mailbag

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 36:00


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why we're optimistic on MSU hoops

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 33:18


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What's working, what isn't as Michigan State heads to Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 33:02


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How Michigan State hoops has turned its season around

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 30:45


    We recap Michigan State's dominant win against Penn State before previewing the Spartans' trip to Northwestern. Also, football updates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Takeaways from Jonathan Smith's first MSU recruiting class

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 35:51


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    "Wait for basketball season," they said...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 31:24


    We recap Michigan State Basketball's loss to Nebraska before taking a look at changes to the football team's roster and coaching staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Can Michigan State's early-season issues be fixed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 32:59


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What is Jonathan Smith's path to success at Michigan State?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 26:19


    MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel react to Michigan State hiring Oregon State's Jonathan Smith to be its next head football coach.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Penn State, Arizona hoops on MSU's Thanksgiving menu

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 35:07


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    MSU suffers Champions Classic loss, but its been here before

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 33:36


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    James Madison upsets Michigan State. Now what?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 33:35


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2023-24 Michigan State basketball preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 37:03


    MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's loss to Minnesota before previewing the 2023-24 basketball season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ranking 9 Michigan State football coaching candidates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 35:42


    Reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel share nine names that could be potential candidates for Michigan State's head football coach opening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Confidential Crossover: Rivalry week is here in Michigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 33:55


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State is an underdog at Rutgers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 33:22


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    QB questions, Michigan State faces first road test at Iowa

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 33:01


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mel Tucker out, MSU blasted by Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 40:23


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Unpacking Mel Tucker's messy suspension + what's next for Michigan State

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 27:45


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The good and bad from Michigan State's season-opening win

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 29:36


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Central Michigan preview + breaking basketball news

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 32:04


    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!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    O-Line, D-Line... Beer Line!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 30:42


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Who will emerge as Michigan State's next go-to pass catcher?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 30:47


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Realignment reactions + Who will start at QB and RB?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 32:30


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    MSU Takeaways from Big Ten Media Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 32:16


    MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel talk Michigan State football after Matt's trip to Indianapolis for Big Ten media days.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Moneyball Pro-Am offers first look at Spartan 'OKGs'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 32:11


    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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mady Sissoko's charity work, Big Ten restructuring, and some Spartan football speculation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 31:15


    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 list some young players to watch this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State's game vs. Penn State moved to Ford Field, but why?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 42:04


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How concerned should MSU fans be after shocking transfer news?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 37:56


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What we learned from Michigan State's open spring practice

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 40:54


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What we're watching as spring football begins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2023 44:36


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Was Michigan State's wild basketball season a success?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 31:13


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State, Kansas State set for Sweet 16 showdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 40:01


    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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bonus Drop: Nick Saban swings at collectives and John Ruiz challenges the NCAA, with UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 46:58


    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 NCAA over his mislabeling as a Miami “booster.” Reddit CFB's Bobak Ha'Eri brings Reddit's comments on Isaiah Foskey's claim that he would've played somewhere other than Notre Dame if NIL was a big deal in recruiting when he played high school football and the Reddit community's take on what college football will look like in 5-10 years. Chase Griffin, a quarterback at UCLA and a two-time recipient of the NIL Male Athlete of the Year Award at the NIL Summit, shares his story and thoughts on the importance of using NIL to uplift communities around him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan State looking to revive March magic in NCAA Tournament

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 42:37


    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 Champion Marquette. Also, Final Four picks, upset specials and updates on the football team ahead of spring practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bonus Drop: NIL Now on Livvy Dunne's controversial deal and author's tips for how all athletes can benefit from NIL

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 40:32


    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 Ha'Eri brings his thoughts and Reddit's comments on Baker's mission as the NCAA's leader, and what he predicts the relationship between the NCAA and boosters, such as Miami's John Ruiz, will look like in the future. Mark Koesterer, the founder of The Players NIL and author of "NIL For ALL: A 30-Minute Guide to NIL," details where the NCAA went wrong with NIL and explains the importance of athlete education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2023 Big Ten tournament preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 33:28


    MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Kyle Austin preview the 2023 Big Ten tournament from a Michigan State angle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Making sense of what happened in Iowa City

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2023 30:29


    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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan-Michigan State set rivalry aside on emotional night of basketball

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 27:43


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Michigan vs. Michigan State basketball set for rematch

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 16:57


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Where Michigan State stands after another Mackey meltdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 34:21


    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    What's working, what isn't as Michigan State slogs through Big Ten

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 29:05


    On episode 100 of MLive's Spartan Confidential podcast, reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State's win against Rutgers and tough loss at Indiana. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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