Spartan Confidential Podcast

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Michigan State’s ugly road win at Indiana before discussing a noon kickoff time for the Michigan game. The guys also breakdown rumors of Mel Tucker being a candidate for the LSU job and the Spartans being left off the initial Associated Press Top 25 poll for college basketball.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State’s sloppy-but-explosive win at Rutgers before previewing another road trip to Bloomington where the Spartans will face a struggling Indiana team. Also, takeaways from Big Ten basketball media days.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State’s electrifying win against Western Kentucky and impressive QB Bailey Zappe before previewing the Spartans trip to New Jersey to play Rutgers. Also, your questions and takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s open practice.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State’s wild OT win vs. Nebraska before discussing key transfers and previewing the Spartans next game against the dynamic passing game of Western Kentucky.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State’s impressive road win in the heat at Miami before previewing the Spartans primetime showdown with Nebraska. Also, 4-star big man Jaxon Kohler commits and random discussions regarding #TuckComin, “The Woodshed,” Sparty, “deep water” and The Wire.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap Michigan State’s dominant home-opening win against Youngstown State before previewing the Spartans trip to Miami. Also, gameday observations from inside Spartan Stadium.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel react to Michigan State’s impressive season-opening win at Northwestern in which Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III ran for 264 yards and four TDs. Also, a look ahead to the home opener vs. Youngstown State and takeaways from Kyle’s interview with new athletic director Alan Haller  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out info...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Michigan State hiring Alan Haller as its new athletic director before previewing the Spartans’ opener against Northwestern. Also Tom Izzo offers a big man from Utah and predictions for the football season.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 44 of MLive’s Spartan Confidential podcast, reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Emoni Bates’ commitment to Memphis and how it affects Michigan State. Also, observations from the football team’s latest open practice as the season draws near. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss the latest updates from Michigan State football practice as the season draws near. Also, PG Tre Holloman commits to Michigan State basketball and a potential schism between MSU President Samuel Stanley and the Board of Trustees in the search for a new athletic director.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Bill Beekman’s short-but-eventful tenure as Michigan State athletic director before discussing potential replacements. How much credit does Beekman deserve for steadying the ship after the Larry Nassar scandal? Matt then describes his first day at football practice since 2019 before Brandon and Kyle react to Aaron Henry going un...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Aaron Henry’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft. Where will he be picked? And what is his NBA ceiling? The guys then transition to football to discuss their takeaways from Big Ten media days before finishing up their positions previews with linebackers, secondary and special teams. How will transfers fit into...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel look ahead to this week’s Big Ten media days in Indianapolis with some of the biggest questions they have. Who starts at QB? And how will the transfers fit in? The guys then continue with their position previews by looking at the offensive and defensive lines. The O-line has struggled in recent seasons, but the Spartans return plenty of experience a...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel return for another preview episode this time taking a deep dive into Michigan State’s pass catchers. The Spartans appear to be well positioned at WR where Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed return, but who is most likely to step up into the No. 3 role? And what’s going on with Ricky White? Tight end play was brutal in 2020 and it’s a big mystery heading i...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel begin their football position previews with the quarterbacks and running backs. Who has the early edge at signal caller between Peyton Thorne and Anthony Russo? And which guys will emerge from a revamped running back room now that transfers Harold Joiner and Kenneth Walker have joined the team? Other topics include the basketball team’s game vs. Lou...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel return from a summer break to catch you up on all the latest news surrounding Michigan State athletics. Topics include the basketball team’s announced game vs. Butler at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, staff changes, and the impact pending name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation could have on the Spartans and college sports in general. T...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel return from a break to discuss the long-awaited end of the NCAA’s recruiting dead period. What does it mean for Mel Tucker to finally get some recruits on campus? Tom Izzo also has some top tier talent on campus this weekend. Who else should Spartan fans keep their eye on? The guys also discuss Izzo’s changing views on transfers/recruit...

Who’s next? MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel spend an episode talking about Michigan State’s top recruiting targets in the 2022 class on both the basketball court and the football field. Topics include Tom Izzo’s rare recruitment of a 5-star big man from California, an emphasis on the frontcourt and a potential QB carousel with Florida State. Also, Foster Loyer transfe...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel examine Emoni Bates decommitment from Michigan State. What went into the decision and what’s next for him and the Spartans? The guys also discuss the 2021 NFL Draft, in which Michigan State had its 80-year streak snapped, as well as unfortunate news regarding 3-star cornerback commit Steffan Johnson. Also, your questions.  See acast.com...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion and Matt Wenzel discuss Michigan State’s spring game. Who stood out on offense and defense? The guys also chat about QB Theo Day, who was one of nine players to enter the transfer portal this week and Quavaris Crouch, a former four-star linebacker who plans to transfer in from Tennessee. The show ends with some discussion about the Spartans three NFL Draft prospect...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss what fans can expect from Michigan State’s first spring game under Mel Tucker. Which players are we keeping our eye on? The guys also discuss Elijah Collins and how his battle with COVID-19 likely effected his play last season before talking about Foster Loyer becoming the latest MSU basketball player to transfer. The episode en...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Aaron Henry’s rise from three-star prospect to likely NBA Draft pick by recollecting on his time at Michigan State. What were his best moments? And does he have the tools to make it on the next level? The guys also chat about Thomas Kithier’s decision to transfer and why some fans need to be better on social media before breakin...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss longtime Tom Izzo assistant Dane Fife’s departure from Michigan State to return to Indiana. What are the Spartans losing? The guys then discuss some possible replacements before diving into spring football. Why did QB Anthony Russo leave Temple? And what’s up with Elijah Collins? Also, could the 2013 football team have won the N...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss the ongoing point guard shuffle within the Michigan State basketball program as Northeastern standout Tyson Walker commits and Rocket Watts enters the transfer portal. Why didn’t Watts work in East Lansing? And can Walker play at the high major level? The guys also discuss the latest spring football news, including the impact of...

MLive reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel discuss Michigan State’s disappointing basketball season which culminated with an OT First Four loss to UCLA before looking ahead to potential roster changes in the offseason. How active will the Spartans be in the transfer portal? The guys then look ahead to spring football. How will year two under Mel Tucker be different? Who has the...