LARRY LAGE
FILE - Michigan State's Aaron Henry, left, shoots against Ohio State's Duane Washington Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., in this Sunday, March 8, 2020, file photo. Michigan State won 80-69. The team will need preseason All-Big Ten player Aaron Henry to produce much more than he has in the past as a role player.(AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
No. 13 Michigan St forced to prepare for season without Izzo

By Larry Lage Nov. 10, 2020 05:47 PM EST
Michigan State's basketball program knew it would go into the season with

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo gestures during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has tested positive for COVID-19. The school’s athletic department made the announcement Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tests positive for COVID-19

By Larry Lage Nov. 09, 2020 04:27 PM EST
Tom Izzo has been an advocate for wearing masks and social distancing, hoping

Ohio State's Duane Washington Jr., left, shoots against Michigan State's Aaron Henry (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 16 Mich St tops No. 19 Ohio St 80-69, shares B10 title

By Larry Lage Mar. 08, 2020 08:12 PM EDT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston kissed Michigan State's logo in the

Michigan State's Malik Hall, right and Iowa's Luka Garza (55) and Michigan State's Thomas Kithier, left, vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Behind Winston, No. 24 Michigan State tops No. 18 Iowa 78-70

By Larry Lage Feb. 25, 2020 09:29 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston scored only one point in the first

Michigan coach Juwan Howard signals during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Michigan routs Indiana 89-65, helps NCAA Tournament chances

By Larry Lage Feb. 16, 2020 03:14 PM EST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan is rolling again, finding ways to win as it

Michigan State forward Xavier Tillman (23) drives on Maryland forward Jalen Smith (25) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 9 Maryland beats Michigan State 67-60 with 14-0 run

By Larry Lage Feb. 15, 2020 08:30 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Anthony Cowan was the smallest and best player on

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker reacts to a holding call in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, in Tempe, Ariz. A person familiar with the decision says Colorado coach Mel Tucker has agreed to lead Michigan State's football program. The person spoke Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Michigan State rallies to hire Tucker away from Colorado

By Larry Lage Feb. 12, 2020 01:43 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Mel Tucker recalled making $400 a month when he

Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. (1) goes to the basket for a layup during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Big Ten: No. 9 Maryland vs No. 20 Illinois with high stakes

By Larry Lage Feb. 06, 2020 03:03 PM EST
What to watch in Big Ten basketball: GAME OF THE WEEK

Penn State's Myreon Jones dribbles during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 22 Penn State beats No. 16 Michigan State 75-70

By Larry Lage Feb. 04, 2020 10:29 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Patrick Chambers is on a quest to keep Penn State's

Michigan State forward Julius Marble (34) and forward Thomas Kithier, right, react after a 3-point basket by forward Gabe Brown (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 14 Michigan St tops Northwestern 79-50, moves into 1st

By Larry Lage Jan. 29, 2020 08:53 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston was sluggish and looked out of sorts

Michigan State guard Cassius Winston (5) makes a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin, Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Winston sets record, No. 15 Spartans top Wisconsin 67-55

By Larry Lage Jan. 17, 2020 10:19 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston threw a lob from the right wing over

Michigan State's Cassis Winston, left, is pressured by Minnesota's Marcus Carr during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Winston leads No. 8 Michigan St to 74-58 win over Minnesota

By Larry Lage Jan. 09, 2020 11:24 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — No. 8 Michigan State started slowly against

Michigan State's Cassius Winston reacts after sinking a three-point basket against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Winston-led No. 14 Michigan State tops No. 12 Michigan 87-69

By Larry Lage Jan. 05, 2020 04:10 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston made his last home game against

Michigan State's Cassius Winston, front, drives against Illinois' Da'Monte Williams (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 14 Michigan St. tops Illinois 76-56, stays atop Big Ten

By Larry Lage Jan. 02, 2020 10:25 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State played perhaps its best game of the

Eastern Michigan's Ty Groce, front left, goes to the basket against Michigan State's Xavier Tillman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Winston helps No. 15 Michigan State rout E Michigan 101-48

By Larry Lage Dec. 21, 2019 09:33 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston was productive as usual, scoring 21

Rutgers' Jacob Young, right, drives against Michigan State's Thomas Kithier during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Winston scores 23 points, No. 11 Michigan State tops Rutgers

By Larry Lage Dec. 08, 2019 09:34 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — No. 11 Michigan State pulled away and beat Rutgers

Duke's Vernon Carey Jr., right, and Michigan State's Xavier Tillman, center, and Marcus Bingham Jr., left, vie for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 10 Duke dominates No. 11 Michigan State, 87-75

By Larry Lage Dec. 04, 2019 12:01 AM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Vernon Carey Jr. showed Michigan State exactly what

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts to play against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
No. 11 Michigan State fragile ahead of game with No. 10 Duke

By Larry Lage Dec. 02, 2019 07:05 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State has been slipping since being ranked

Michigan State guard Kyle Ahrens (0) looks to pass as Charleston Southern guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (24) reaches in during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Winston speaks after Michigan State tops Charleston Southern

By Larry Lage Nov. 18, 2019 08:43 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Cassius Winston made his first comments in public

FILE - In this April 6, 2019, file photo, Michigan State's Cassius Winston (5) drives against Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver during the second half in the semifinals of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament in Minneapolis. Michigan State senior guard Cassius Winston, Marquette guard Markus Howard, Louisville junior forward Jordan Nwora, Seton Hall senior guard Myles Powell and Memphis freshman James Wiseman headline The (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
No. 1 Michigan State will find out soon how it stacks up

By Larry Lage Oct. 23, 2019 05:08 PM EDT
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State's basketball team is ranked No. 1 in the