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Spartan Speak

USA Today

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

Location:

United States

Networks:

USA Today

Description:

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

Language:

English


Episodes
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MSU basketball heads to D.C. to take on UConn in the Sweet 16

3/24/2026
Graham and Chris preview Michigan State men's basketball game against Connecticut in the Sweet 16 in Washington, D.C., and, peeking behind the curtain, discuss the advantages the Spartans have this time of year, given how they handle their business during the season. Plus, MSU hockey begins NCAA tournament play, and what's next for MSU women's basketball.

Duration:00:57:58

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Previewing MSU's NCAA tournament opener against North Dakota State

3/19/2026
Graham Couch and Chris Solari look at the Spartans' NCAA tournament opener Thursday against North Dakota State, as well as MSU's chances of making a deep run.

Duration:00:26:45

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The state of MSU's basketball team as the postseason begins

3/12/2026
Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari take a look at the state of Michigan State's men's basketball team as the Spartans begin postseason play in the Big Ten tournament.

Duration:00:42:48

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MSU basketball gets set for another swing at Michigan

3/7/2026
Graham Couch and Chris Solari discuss the Spartans' recent performances and look at the keys and what's at stake in Sunday's MSU-Michigan rematch in Ann Arbor. Plus, the MSU women's basketball team slips up and MSU hockey wins another banner.

Duration:01:02:37

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Where is this MSU basketball team headed?

2/11/2026
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press sportswriter Chris Solari discuss the MSU men's basketball team's place in the Big Ten, whether the race is over, and where the Spartans are headed. Plus, a couple big games for the MSU women's basketball team.

Duration:00:50:30

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Michigan vs MSU preview with Hail Yes! and Spartan Speak

1/30/2026
In a Detroit Free Press and Lansing State Journal collaboration, the "Hail Yes!" and "Spartan Speak" podcasts join to preview Michigan vs. Michigan State. Freep's assistant sports editor Andrew Birkle, U-M sports reporter Tony Garcia, MSU sports writer Chris Solari and Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch answered listener questions live.

Duration:00:54:59

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A deeper look at Michigan State's 15-2 basketball team

1/15/2026
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State's 15-2 men's basketball team, what's gotten the Spartans to this place, which players have propelled them, which could do more and what the rest of the season looks like as they head out west to face Washington and Oregon. Plus, a look at MSU football's staff and work in the transfer portal.

Duration:00:58:11

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Hello, Pat Fitzgerald. Goodbye, Jonathan Smith, as MSU football changes course

12/1/2025
The Michigan State football program has a new leader: former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the firing of Jonathan Smith and what they think of the hiring of Fitzgerald as the Spartans' football coach. Plus, MSU basketball is rolling, with a huge week ahead.

Duration:00:55:46

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Postgame reaction to MSU football's loss to Iowa

11/23/2025
Graham Couch of the Lansing State Journal and Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press discuss Michigan State football's loss to Iowa on Saturday.

Duration:00:14:20

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MSU hoops serves notice. MSU football served by the NCAA.

11/20/2025
Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State basketball's win over Kentucky in the Champions Classic and what it means for the Spartans' team and season. Then a conversation on MSU football, both heading into the Iowa game and the impact of the NCAA sanctions.

Duration:01:17:40

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MSU football is on probation. How and why it happened and what it means for the program

11/13/2025
On this week's Spartan Speak podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the probation handed down to the Michigan State football program by the NCAA for violations under Mel Tucker. From every angle possible, including the Connor Stalions/CMU game and compared to what penalties Michigan received.

Duration:01:14:56

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Massive weekend ahead for MSU sports, minus football

11/7/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State basketball's win over Colgate, the game ahead against Arkansas, new recruit Jasiah Jervis, MSU hockey's showdown with Gavin McKenna and Penn State, and MSU football's controversial loss to Minnesota.

Duration:00:43:05

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Minnesota preview, plus a discussion on MSU basketball vs UConn

10/30/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss MSU's football team and program heading into the Minnesota game and whether this team has a chance to break its five-game losing streak. Then, a discussion on what we saw from MSU's men's basketball team in its exhibition against UConn.

Duration:00:56:33

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MSU-Michigan preview with 'Hail Yes!', the Detroit Free Press' U-M podcast

10/24/2025
The boys from the Spartan Speak podcast, Graham Couch and Chris Solari, joined Andrew Birkle and Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press and their University of Michigan athletics podcast, 'Hail Yes!' to preview this weekend's Michigan State-Michigan football game.

Duration:00:49:09

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Can Jonathan Smith win back MSU fans by beating Michigan?

10/21/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss the angst surrounding Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football's matchup with Michigan. Plus, a little hoops.

Duration:00:57:47

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What's next for Michigan State football, Jonathan Smith after UCLA loss

10/14/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari spend an hour discussing the state of Michigan State's football program, how things got here with Jonathan Smith, and what lies ahead.

Duration:01:00:30

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Nebraska exposes many MSU problem areas, and why UCLA is a must-win game for Jonathan Smith

10/8/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari discuss Michigan State football's mess of a showing at Nebraska and the latest biggest game of the Jonathan Smith era, Saturday against UCLA.

Duration:00:45:02

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MSU-Nebraska is a swing game, and what Julius Avent brings to Spartan basketball

10/2/2025
On this week's podcast. Lansing State Journal reporter Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari preview the Michigan State-Nebraska football game and look at how the Spartans can win. Plus, we discuss new MSU hoops recruit Julius Avent at the end.

Duration:00:34:17

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Is Jonathan Smith the coach to lead MSU football in NIL era? Plus, MSU basketball practice begins

9/25/2025
On this week's podcast, Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari talk about the state of Michigan State's football team coming out of the USC loss and the schedule ahead. Plus, a first look at this MSU basketball team as practice begins.

Duration:00:54:44

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Time to panic? Michigan State heads into USC with injuries, uninspiring win vs. Youngstown State

9/17/2025
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press writer Chris Solari look at the Michigan State football team's chances at USC, the importance of the game, and, beyond winning, what might be considered a successful trip.

Duration:00:39:49