The forecast predicts that the high will be 52 and the low will be 42.

MSU men’s basketball turns to postseason after loss to Michigan

The lessons of March have arrived. Fortunately for Michigan State, the lesson came in a game that only mattered for pride. On Sunday, MSU basketball fell to Michigan, 90-80. From the opening tip to the final horn, the Spartans and Wolverines battled in a physical, fast-paced game filled with the tension that defines the rivalry. A potent Wolverine offense fueled by quick drives and accurate shooting handed the Spartans their second loss to Michigan this season. With the game behind them, the Spartans finished the regular season 25-6 (15-5 Big Ten). It now looks to transition its focus to the tournaments ahead.  “There’s no moral victory, but I’m proud of my team,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. “We deserve what we got, and we will get better.” This week, MSU will travel to Chicago as the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans will receive a triple-bye and won’t play until Friday, March 13. Following the Big Ten Tournament, which concludes Sunday, March 15, MSU will await its NCAA Tournament selection.

MSU seniors forced to delay floor-kissing tradition in win over Rutgers

In Michigan State’s 91-87 victory over Rutgers, the Spartans played a dominant middle stretch of their senior day game. They controlled the post, displayed smothering defense, brought the house down with three high-flying alley-oops in a row, and were fueled by an unrelenting crowd. If that style of play had been exhibited from start to finish, MSU would have run Rutgers out of East Lansing with its tail between its legs. But it did not play from start to finish. The beginning was filled with turnovers, and the ending was marred by coaching mistakes. The biggest impact fell on the Spartan seniors, who were forced to skip their in-game floor-kissing tradition. “We didn’t play very well,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. “I blame the first half on the players and the second half on me. But the good news is, I think the players are more upset than the coach, and that’s always a good sign.” Guards Trey Fort, Denham Wojcik, and Nick Sanders were the first seniors to enter the game, joining seniors Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler on the court. Their goal was to hold onto MSU’s 15-point lead. If they could accomplish this goal, they would be kissing the Spartan logo while the game was still taking place — a tradition that has been a staple to MSU for almost three decades. While the Spartans escaped with a shaky 91-87 victory, the logo-kissing tradition had to wait until after the final horn. Fans still stayed and watched, and the seniors had the chance to hug coaches and friends, but performing the tradition during the game, as in many years prior, was taken from them.

Zeke “Buckshot” The Wonder Dog IV, dies at 11

Zeke the Wonder Dog IV, also known as “Buckshot,” has died at the age of 11, his owners announced on Facebook Sunday evening. As the university’s “Goodwill Ambassador,” Zeke IV leaves a lasting impact on thousands of people, extending beyond students, alumni, and the broader MSU community. For almost 50 years, the name “Zeke the Wonder Dog” has grown familiar to the MSU community. Zeke IV’s first appearance was at an MSU men’s basketball game on Dec. 3, 2016, one day after the death of his predecessor, Zeke III. Throughout Zeke IV’s life, he has been accompanied by his handlers, Jim and Teri Foley, who have been spotted at athletic and university events performing a jump in the air, catching frisbees, and greeting fans eager to take a photo with him. “Thank God for the memories,” Jim Foley said. “He left a legacy of Spartan love.”