Matt Wenzel

Michigan, Minneapolis

Sports Reporter at MLive

All things digital and some things analog.

Articles

‘Long time coming’ for Michigan State WR transfer with family ties

1 week ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

EAST LANSING – Evan Boyd’s college debut came in his hometown. The wide receiver and East Lansing High School product lined up for Central Michigan as a true freshman in a 2023 season-opening loss at Michigan State. Two years later, Boyd is preparing for a return to Spartan Stadium but this time wearing green and white after transferring to Michigan State in the winter. “I’ve been a Spartan fan all my life,” said Boyd, whose older brother Ethan and parents both went to Michigan State.
Michigan State receives notice of allegations for violations under Mel Tucker

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

Michigan State is moving through the disciplinary process after self-reporting football recruiting violations that occurred under former football coach Mel Tucker. The NCAA’s Division I Infractions Dashboard shows the Michigan State was sent a notice of allegations in late April that involve either Level I or II violations.
Two ex-Spartans earn All-NBA Defensive team honors

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

Over three decades leading Michigan State, coach Tom Izzo has placed an emphasis on defense and that translates to the next level. Former Spartan standouts Draymond Green and Jaren Jackson Jr. were both named to the NBA All-Defensive teams on Thursday. Green, who recently completed his 13th season with the Warriors, was selected to the first team for the ninth time in his career.
Michigan State’s opening opponent set for Fort Myers Tip-Off

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

Michigan State basketball’s opening opponent in the Fort Myers Tip-Off is set. The Spartans will face East Carolina on Nov. 25 before playing North Carolina two days later on Thanksgiving. Michigan State’s matchup against the Tar Heels was announced in November before Thursday’s reveal of the entire tournament field with the addition of East Carolina and St. Bonaventure. Tipoff times and broadcast details have not yet been announced.
Michigan State golfer heads to U.S. Women’s Open with major focus and coach on her bag

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

EAST LANSING – Four birdies in the final nine holes weren’t enough. Michigan State senior Brooke Biermann’s college career ended on Sunday in California as the Spartans didn’t make the cut after 54 holes. There was expected disappointment but she finished a standout four-year career with a fight. “You’ve got to lean on the positives,” Biermann said on Wednesday. “We did so many great things.”Biermann, who graduated earlier this month, could also quickly shift her focus to another major milestone.
What kept former 4-star recruit at Michigan State? Pride and belief

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

EAST LANSING – Alex VanSumeren got on the field quickly. Staying on it was the challenge. The Michigan State defensive tackle and former four-star recruit played the first four games of his true freshman year before being shelved to maintain a redshirt. A season-ending injury followed before the 2023 schedule began. VanSumeren is now coming off a season in which he started all 12 games. And unlike a year ago, he’s not dealing with rehab that stretched through the summer.
Who Michigan State basketball added, lost in transfer portal

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

A Big Ten title and 30-win season ended six points shy of a trip to the Final Four. Following a loss to Auburn in the Elite Eight in Atlanta, Michigan coach Tom Izzo appreciated the unexpected success after his players “gave me everything they had.”From unranked to finishing three games clear of the field in an expanded conference and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, it was one of the most impressive coaching jobs in Izzo’s 30 years leading the program.
Michigan State women’s golf falls short of cut at NCAA Championships

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

Michigan State’s women’s golf team fell short of advancing in the NCAA Championships. The Spartans finished 18th out of 30 teams with a 24-over-par score during the opening 54 holes before the field was cut to 15 after Sunday’s third round at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. Defending national champion Stanford had a commanding lead at 23-under, followed by a trio of Big Ten programs in Northwestern (-8), Oregon (-2) and USC (E).
Michigan State lands transfer guard from Miami

2 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

Three transfers out, three transfers in for Michigan State. Former Miami freshman point guard Divine Ugochukwu announced his commitment to the Spartans out of the portal via social media on Sunday afternoon. He visited campus earlier this week and was reportedly also considering USC and Texas Tech. Ugochukwu’s addition comes after coach Tom Izzo already picked up a pair of transfer commitments in April from Florida Atlantic forward Kaleb Glenn and Samford guard Trey Fort.
Michigan State’s 1,000-yard WR transfer plans to make similar splash at higher level

3 weeks ago | mlive.com | Matt Wenzel

EAST LANSING – Assessing Michigan State’s offseason roster needs, coach Jonathan Smith placed an emphasis on production. Snaps, stats and starts were more of a priority than the school. Rodney Bullard, who amassed more than 2,000 all-purpose yards over the last two seasons at Valdosta State, fits that profile. The wide receiver transfer expects his talent to translate from Division II to the Big Ten.