Sports: Wings, Spartans Win

Red Wings

The Red Wings won 2-1 in San Jose Thursday night, winning their third straight game. Petr Mrazek made 35 saves and Detroit stopped all three of San Jose's power plays. Justin Abdelkader scored his 13th goal of the season with just under seven minutes left. Danny DeKeyser scored the first goal for Detroit in the opening period. Detroit has won three straight to start its road trip and plays at Anaheim on Sunday.

MSU Basketball

Number-five Michigan State beat Illinois 79-54 Thursday night at the Breslin Center. Bryn Forbes led the Spartans with 17 points, Eron Harris contributed 13 points and Deyonta Davis and Matt Costello both had 10 points. MSU is now 15-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. The Spartans head to Penn State on Sunday. Hear the game at 11am on WBCK. Guard Denzel Valentine may return to the lineup against the Nittany Lions. He has been sidelined since late last month after undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a minor knee injury.

Michigan Basketball

The Michigan Wolverines had their six game winning streak ended with an 87-70 loss at Purdue. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rankman led the Wolverines with 25 points, Derrick Walton junior added 12 and Duncan Robinson had 10. The team played their second game without leading scorer Caris LeVert, who has a lower-leg injury. U-of-M, 12-4 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play, hosts Maryland on Tuesday.

Pistons

Pistons host the Brooklyn Nets Saturday.

Lions

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson will not take part in this year's Pro Bowl due to an ongoing ankle injury. Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah is now Detroit's lone representative in the game, which will be held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu January 31st. Johnson released a statement earlier this week saying he was evaluating his future with the team, and there’s even speculation that the 30-year-old might even retire from the game.

NFL

The NFL playoffs start on Saturday with the Kansas City at Houston and Pittsburgh at Cinncinnati.   On Sunday, Seattle is at Minnesota and Green Bay goes to Washington.

Football Hall of Fame

First-year eligibles Brett Favre, and Terrell Owens are among 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Others in the running are quarterback Kurt Warner, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, running backs Terrell Davis and Edgerrin James, kicker Morten Andersen and head coach Tony Dungy. The Class of 2016 will be announced February 6th, the day before Super Bowl 50.

Michigan Football

Michigan’s special teams coach, John Baxter, is leaving Jim Harbaugh's staff to take the same job at USC. Under Baxter, Michigan's special teams units went from No. 66 in 2014 to No. 16 in terms of overall efficiency in 2015.

Former Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock will be one of three ex-Wolverines taking part in the 2016 East-West Shrine Game later this month in Florida.

High School Basketball

Tonight, Pennfield is at Harper Creek….7:30 on WBCK.

Battle Creek Central at Gull Lake

Kalamazoo Central at Lakeview.

St. Philip at Bellevue

Bronson at Mendon

GA at Gobles

Delton at Hackett

Quincy at Union City

Tekonsha at Waldron

Homer at Reading

Marshall Academy at Calhoun Christian

Saturday Games…..

Marshall is at Lumen Christi

Olivet at K-Christian

Maple Valley at Stockbridge.

Golf

Patrick Reed had one eagle in his round of 8-under 65 and has a one-shot lead over Jordan Spieth in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the opening event of the PGA Tour season.