The forecast predicts that the high will be 38 and the low will be 26.
Michigan State dominates on the road in the first game of the weekend
Ohio – No. 2/2 Michigan State hockey took on Ohio State to start conference play in 2026 on Friday. Entering the first matchup of the weekend at the Schottenstein Center, Michigan State sat third in the Big Ten standings while the Buckeyes are in sixth. As a dominant first period was winding down, Michigan State went on the power play with a chance to blow the game wide open. The top line took the ice and capitalized quickly as captain Matt Basgall fired a shot from the blue line that Martone redirected past Eberly to give the Spartans a commanding 4-0 lead with 90 seconds left in the period.
The gamble paid off as Michigan State drew two penalties just 20 seconds apart, giving the Spartans a 5-on-3 advantage. The top line made quick work of the opportunity, as Stramel scored his second goal of the night on the power play to give the Spartans a 5-2 advantage. The Spartans closed out the contest with a 6-2 victory, improving to 18 points and third in the Big Ten standings in a dominant showing on both ends of the ice. The series finale is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, as the Spartans look to sweep their first road series of the year.
Late surge lifts MSU past Northwestern 76–66
It’s never an easy night in the Big Ten, something MSU learned quickly in its 76–66 win over Northwestern. Wrapping up their third game in six days, MSU turned the ball over and missed easy shots, but a spark that turned into a thunderstorm in the final 10 minutes put the Spartans over the hump as Northwestern ran out of juice. MSU, which couldn’t find an answer from deep, had no choice but to feed the post early and often. Carson Cooper scored 11 points in the first half after failing to reach double figures in four of his last five games. He finished with a game-high 18 points, followed by Jeremy Fears Jr. and Jaxon Kohler, who each had 15. Cooper and Kohler hit the glass hard yet again, combining for 17 rebounds as the Spartans outrebounded the smaller Wildcats 42-25. Head Coach Tom Izzo said he was proud of how his team grinded this one out. MSU next faces Indiana to close its three-game homestand Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NBCSN and streamed on Peacock.
Alabama’s Nick Sheridan announced as MSU offensive coordinator
Ever since his opening press conference, Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald has wasted no time forming his staff. He started early on the defensive side of the ball by retaining defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, but one question still surrounded the program: Who would be the offensive coordinator? That question has now been answered. MSU has hired Alabama co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan as its next offensive coordinator, the athletic department announced. While previous hires have generated excitement, this is one of the most important moves yet. The Spartans’ offense has struggled since their 11-2 season in 2021, a campaign led by a Doak Walker Award-winning running back and multiple NFL wide receivers. Following Alabama’s 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl on Thursday, MSU now has its offensive coordinator in place and can begin its rebuild by shifting its focus to recruiting as the transfer portal opens.
