Sports: MSU Spartans Lose First Game of Season

College Basketball

Top-ranked Michigan State lost its Big Ten opener and first game of the season, 83-70 in Iowa. The loss drops Michigan State to 13-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference. Eron Harris led the Spartans with 21 points and Matt Costello was the only other MSU player to score in double digits with 17 points. Michigan State was playing its second game without injured star Denzel Valentine. Tom Izzo was coaching the Spartans a day after his father passed away. The Spartans travel to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. 2pm on WBCK.

Michigan opens Big Ten play at Illinois. Tip-off is 3:00 p.m. The Wolverines are 10-3 on the season.

In the Mac….

William & Mary rallied to beat Central Michigan 88-84 Tuesday night.

Western Michigan (5-6) will travel to take on Vanderbilt. Tip-off is 9:00 p.m.

Red Wings

The Red Wings lost 4-1 in Winnipeg. Pavel Datsyuk scored Detroit's only goal on a power play in the third period. Goalie Jimmy Howard was pulled in the second after allowing four goals on 14 shots, while Petr Mrazek stopped all 11 shots he faced in relief.

The Wings return to Joe Louis Arena tomorrow night to host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a New Year's Eve contest.

Pistons

The Pistons dropped their third game in a row following a 108-96 loss to the Knicks Tuesday night in New York. Ersan Ilyasova led Detroit with 19 points and both Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris scored 17. Brandon Jennings had seven points in his first game for the Pistons since he ruptured his Achilles tendon last January.

Detroit (17-15) hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves in a New Year's Eve matchup at The Palace tomorrow night.

CCHA

College hockey continues at Joe Louis Arena tonight as the University of Michigan takes on Michigan Tech in the championship game of the Great Lakes Invitational. Michigan Tech came from behind to beat Michigan State 3-2 yesterday afternoon in overtime to secure their place in the title game, while Michigan topped Northern Michigan University 3-2 in regulation last night. MSU and Northern Michigan will play in the consolation game at 3 p.m. and Michigan and Michigan Tech will face off for the championship at 7 p.m.

MSU Football

The 3rd-ranked Michigan State Spartans held their media day Tuesday in Arlington to preview their upcoming matchup against 2nd-ranked Alabama.  6pm on WBCK. The winner of Thursday night’s game will take on the winner of the Clemson-Oklahoma game in the National Championship January 11th.

Michigan Football

Michigan plays Florida on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl. 12 noon on Mix 104.9 WBXX.

Lions

The Lions end the regular season with a road game against the Bears on Sunday. 12 noon on WBCK. The Lions have cut cornerback Bill Bentley for the second time this season. The team released Bentley in June, but re-signed him last month to take the roster spot of cornerback Josh Wilson after he was placed on season-ending injured reserve. Bentley was a third-round pick by Detroit in 2012 and this season had one tackle in two games.

High School Basketball

Union City at St. Phillip….7:30pm tonight on WBCK