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Spartan Speak

USA Today

Weekly discussion from the Lansing State Journal … Lansing, Michigan.

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United States

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USA Today

Description:

Weekly discussion from the Lansing State Journal … Lansing, Michigan.

Language:

English


Episodes
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What's at stake vs. Boston College for Michigan State football and Aidan Chiles

9/3/2025
On this week's episode, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari dig into Michigan State's win over Western Michigan and look ahead to the Boston College game - what we're looking for from Aidan Chiles, the defense and more.

Duration:01:01:46

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Western Michigan preview: What to expect from Michigan State football

8/28/2025
The Michigan State football team kicks off its season Friday night against Western Michigan, as the Spartans begin Year 2 under Jonathan Smith. Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari preview MSU's opener against the Broncos - what they think might happen, what's important for the Spartans to accomplish, and things they're curious to see unfold. Plus, they'll make predictions for the game.

Duration:00:44:49

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Breaking down Michigan State football position groups

8/22/2025
The Michigan State football season is near, which means it's time for the Spartan Speak podcast to break down the position groups. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari take a spin through each position, getting into strengths and concerns as the Spartans head into their Week 1 game vs. Western Michigan.

Duration:01:06:16

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Fall Camp Takeaways: What we think we know about MSU's football team

8/13/2025
On the latest episode of the Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into the MSU football storylines at fall camp, including what they think they know about this team, without having seen them play. Plus, a spin through the football schedule and a look at MSU's men's basketball team coming out of the summer.

Duration:01:16:19

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What MSU basketball can still do in the transfer portal

4/14/2025
In the two weeks following Michigan State basketball's loss to Auburn in the Elite Eight, the Spartans have already seen a shift in the team. Jase Richardson declared for the NBA draft, Tre Holloman transferred to NC State and Kaleb Glenn has transferred in from Florida Atlantic. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dig into all things Spartan basketball - including what Tom Izzo and his staff can do in the transfer portal. Plus, spring football, hockey and gymnastics.

Duration:01:05:54

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Michigan State-Ole Miss NCAA Tournament preview, with a MSU-Michigan Elite Eight matchup potentially looming

3/28/2025
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State basketball team's Sweet 16 game against Chris Beard and Ole Miss.

Duration:00:27:57

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NCAA Tournament Preview: Michigan State men's, women's basketball outlook

3/17/2025
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari look at the state of the Michigan State men's basketball team and the Spartans' NCAA tournament draw. Plus, a look at the MSU women's basketball team's early NCAA tournament draw.

Duration:00:27:18

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Can Michigan State win a national title? Plus, U-M thoughts, All-Big Ten and B1G tournament preview

3/12/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari spend more than an hour talking about Michigan State basketball on this week's Spartan Speak podcast. Discussion topics:

Duration:01:16:40

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Following Purdue and Illinois wins, 2019 vibes return for MSU-Michigan basketball rivalry

2/19/2025
The Michigan State basketball team has responded in a big way over the past few days, defeating Illinois on the road Saturday and earning a top-15 home win over Purdue on Tuesday night. Up next? No. 12 Michigan. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's win over Purdue as the Spartans regain their football. Then, they preview Friday's showdown with the Wolverines, the biggest game between the two rivals since MSU swept U-M in three contests in 2018-19.

Duration:00:45:44

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Difficult schedule lies ahead as Michigan State basketball tries to regain footing

2/14/2025
Michigan State men's basketball has lost 3 of 4 games after starting the season 18-2. The Spartans are more than capable of turning things around, but they must do so against a brutal schedule. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the latest with Spartan basketball and how they must rebound Saturday night against Illinois.

Duration:00:44:17

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After Illinois win, a Big Ten title is more than possible for Michigan State basketball

1/21/2025
The Michigan State men's basketball team is rolling. After a big win over Illinois on Sunday, the team was ranked No. 8 in this week's USA TODAY coaches poll. On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari talk about the Spartans' win over the Illini, the Big Ten title prospects for this MSU team and look ahead to Saturday's game against Rutgers in New York. Plus, a preview of MSU hockey ahead of its series against Minnesota and MSU football's transfer portal haul.

Duration:01:11:54

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What we know about MSU's men's basketball team after 12 games

12/27/2024
Graham Couch and Chris Solari discuss the latest with Michigan State's men's basketball team as the Spartans prepare to re-enter Big Ten play. Plus, MSU football recruiting, hockey and women's hoops.

Duration:01:04:55

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MSU basketball falls to Kansas, and football travels to Illinois

11/15/2024
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss the Michigan State men's basketball team's game vs. Kansas and preview Saturday's football game vs. Illinois.

Duration:00:36:00

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MSU-Michigan week has new dynamic with first-year coaches in charge

10/24/2024
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari dig into this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game and the current dynamics between the two schools.

Duration:00:44:56

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MSU football's pivotal game vs. Iowa, plus Tom Izzo's Northern Michigan homecoming

10/17/2024
The boys are back from Northern Michigan after the men's basketball team made the visit up north last weekend and delivered another episode of Spartan Speak! But before that, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari begin the podcast discussing Michigan State's football game with Iowa on Saturday. Then, they move on to the Spartans' game at Northern Michigan and Tom Izzo's homecoming visit to his alma mater.

Duration:00:52:35

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MSU football heads to Oregon looking for a signature moment

10/3/2024
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari chat about Michigan State's frustrating game against Ohio State and what can be learned from the performance against the Buckeyes. Then the guys look ahead to the brutal matchup with Oregon on a short week and whether or not the Spartans can get their signature moment.

Duration:00:37:33

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Where MSU football stands heading into the Ohio State game

9/26/2024
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari have a spirited discussion on the Michigan State football program, coming off Saturday's loss to Boston College and heading into this weekend's upcoming game vs. Ohio State. Plus, the state of MSU basketball heading into Tom Izzo's 30th season and how MSU hockey is back among the best.

Duration:01:03:41

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What can Michigan State football get from its game vs. Prairie View A&M?

9/13/2024
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari dive into last week's football game at Maryland and how it changed the possibilities for Michigan State's football season. Then they look ahead to what the Spartans can get out of their matchup with Prairie View A&M.

Duration:00:36:19

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MSU football looks for 2-0 start in Jonathan Smith era

9/5/2024
The Michigan State football team got off to a rousing start in the Jonathan Smith era, beating Florida Atlantic last Friday. It was also the first game for highly-touted QB Aidan Chiles. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari share their thoughts on the Spartans' win and look ahead to Saturday's Big Ten conference game against Maryland. They end the podcast with a discussion on the MSU basketball team's overseas trip to Spain.

Duration:00:39:49

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Moneyball Pro-Am reactions: All aboard the MSU hype train

7/10/2024
Apologies for being away so long (the last podcast was on April 22), but the Spartan Speak podcast is back with a vengeance! With the Moneyball Pro-Am kicking into high gear, Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's basketball roster, newcomers and returners, and changing dynamics after Tuesday's Moneyball Pro-Am. Then they talked about the upcoming Big Ten football media days.

Duration:00:53:54