Thomas Cobb

East Lansing

Sports Reporter at The State News

Sports @thesnews | @msujschool ‘26

Featured in: Favicon

statenews.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

msu.edu

wlrn.org

tolerance.ca Favicon

news.jrn.msu.edu

Articles

MSU adds scoring guard Trey Fort from Samford to bolster backcourt

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

Michigan State University men’s basketball has added another piece to its backcourt. Graduate transfer guard Trey Fort has committed to the Spartans, he told On3 Thursday. The 6-foot-4-inch shooting guard spent last season at Samford, where he started all 33 games and led the Bulldogs in scoring at 14.6 points per game. Fort shot 44.8% from the field, 37.9% from three on 6.4 attempts per game, and 73% from the free-throw line.
MSU men’s basketball’s offseason outlook: A core in place with gaps to fill

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

Less than two weeks after their season ended in the Elite Eight against Auburn, the Spartans and head coach Tom Izzo were left to navigate the modern churn of major college athletics without much of what made their “strength in numbers” approach work last season. Seniors Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler and Szymon Zapala are out of eligibility. Freshman Jase Richardson declared for the NBA Draft. Junior transfer Tre Holloman committed to NC State on Sunday.
What the transfer portal means in 2025 and where MSU fits in

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

Less than 48 hours after the Spartans’ season ended at the hands of No. 1 seed Auburn in Atlanta, junior guard Tre Holloman, sophomore forward Xavier Booker and redshirt freshman Gehrig Normand entered the transfer portal. None have officially announced their next destinations, but all three are expected to explore high-major options.
Sophomore Xavier Booker to enter transfer portal, per report

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

Another Michigan State University men’s basketball player is on the move. Sophomore forward Xavier Booker has entered the transfer portal, On3 reported Tuesday. Booker is listed on the 247Sports transfer portal. MSU has yet to confirm the news. The 6-foot-11 former five-star recruit averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 12.8 minutes during the 2024-25 season. Booker last saw the court in the Spartans’ Round of 64 win over Bryant en route to an Elite Eight appearance.
Tom Izzo: This team gave everything

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

Still, there was much to reflect on. "Just so proud of the guys. We didn’t give up when it mattered," redshirt freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. said. "We fought until the end. Can’t ask for a better group to share. Nobody expected us to do nothing."The Spartans weren’t ranked at the start of the season. No one from the team made the All-Big Ten first or second teams. Yet, they won the Big Ten by three games and made it to the program’s 11th Elite Eight under head coach Tom Izzo.
Cold spells doom MSU men's basketball in season-ending loss

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

There was no rally this time against the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed. No. 2 seed MSU shot 22-for-64 (34%) in a 70-64 loss to No. 1 seed Auburn in the Elite Eight, going cold for two 10-minutes stretches — one in each half — that produced identical 2-for-16 spells, the first of which propelling the Tigers to a 17-0 run midway through the first half. The Spartans started 1-for-9 from deep as they went down 23-8 early, finishing 7-for-23 from long range.
Broome sweeps away MSU men's basketball from Final Four bid

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

In a game between two of the most physical teams in college basketball, Broome was the one force the Spartans couldn’t match. The 6-foot-10 senior forward finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, overwhelming the Spartans on both ends. His performance led Auburn to just their second-ever Final Four appearance. Broome finished with 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting and 14 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor as Auburn reached the sport’s biggest stage for just the second time in school history.
Broome sweeps away MSU men's basketball from Final Four bid

2 months ago | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

In a game between two of the most physical teams in college basketball, Broome was the one force the Spartans couldn’t match. Broome finished with 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting and 14 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor as Auburn reached the sport’s biggest stage for just the second time in school history. "We did most of the things we wanted to do except guard Broome a little better," MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said postgame.
No. 2 MSU, No. 1 Auburn set for South Region title fight

Mar 29, 2025 | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

No. 2 Michigan State University, fresh off its resilient, come-from-behind Sweet 16 victory over Ole Miss, faces its most demanding test yet in No. 1 overall seed Auburn — a battle-tested, veteran-heavy squad that’s held the nation’s top ranking for much of the season. “I feel like it’s going to take full focus, full effort from the tip,” MSU senior guard Jaden Akins said during a press conference Saturday. “I’m a senior.
'We never quit': How MSU’s resolve defined its Sweet 16 win

Mar 29, 2025 | statenews.com | Thomas Cobb

But this challenge felt different — Ole Miss came at the Spartans with relentless pressure and stuck to its script, a patient, disciplined approach with physicality at every position. MSU’s resolve was tested from the opening tip, with easy buckets scarce and nearly every shot contested. "That team was the toughest, most physical defensive team we’ve played in years," MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said postgame.