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Deadspin | No. 10 Michigan State, Wisconsin collide after OT wins vs. Illinois

Deadspin | No. 10 Michigan State, Wisconsin collide after OT wins vs. Illinois

Feb 7, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) shoots free throws in overtime while his teammates watch in their game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Michigan State faces a tough road challenge when the No. 10 Spartans take on Wisconsin in a Big Ten Conference matchup Friday night in Madison, Wis.

Both the Spartans and Badgers are coming off overtime victories against nationally ranked Illinois.

Michigan State (20-4, 10-3 Big Ten) has been idle since an 85-82 OT win over the Fighting Illini on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich.

Wisconsin (17-7, 9-4) overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to rally for a 92-90 overtime victory at Illinois on Tuesday, bouncing back from a 78-77 OT loss at Indiana on Saturday.

“This league is not for the faint of heart,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said following the Illinois game. “As I told Brad (Underwood, the Illinois coach,) after the game, he’s got a heck of team, which I knew coming in, but we’re growing into a heck of a team, too.”

Michigan State overcame a nine-point deficit early in the second half to rally past Illinois. Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 22 of his game-high 26 points in the second half and overtime while adding 15 assists to pace the Spartans.

Jaxon Kohler added 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for Michigan State, which hit 20 of 23 free throws. The Spartans also had a 48-38 edge on the boards and a 22-0 advantage on fastbreak points.

“They had won 12 in a row, and we were limping,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “That’s a better team right now, and yet, I thought we played better, and that’s why you play the games on this night. But just think, all the things we’re talking about, and it still took overtime.”

Michigan State, 8-2 away from East Lansing, scores an average of 79.1 points while allowing 65.6. The Spartans also significantly outrebound opponents by a whopping 13.1 per game, the second-best margin in the nation.

Fears averages 9.1 assists, tops in the nation, and 15.1 points per game. Kohler adds 12.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. Coen Carr contributed 11.4 points and Carson Cooper 10.0.

Wisconsin overcame a 68-56 deficit at Illinois in the final nine minutes, then scored the first eight points in overtime. John Blackwell hit the first of two free throws with 5.7 seconds left to make it 92-90, and Illinois missed a long 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

Nick Boyd had 25 points, Blackwell added 24 and Austin Rapp came off the bench for 18 in the victory. The Badgers had 16 3-pointers to improve to 14-2 when hitting 10 or more beyond the arc.

Wisconsin committed only four turnovers compared to Illinois’s 13, leading to a 23-6 advantage in points off miscues.

Wisconsin, which owns a 12-2 home record, is averaging 83.3 points scored and 75.8 allowed. The Badgers are 15-0 when they score at least 80 points.

The backcourt of Boyd and Blackwell went into the Illinois game as one of three high-major duos to both average at least 18.5 points.

Boyd averages 20.2 points and Blackwell 18.7. Nolan Winter adds 13.9 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds with 11 double-doubles.

The recent series has been almost even, with Wisconsin winning six of the past 10. The Badgers won the latest meeting 77-74 in the semifinals of the 2025 Big Ten tournament.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Earthquakes sign F Preston Judd to extension  May 23, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA;  San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd (19) tries to fight through hands of Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller (4) during the second half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images   Forward Preston Judd signed a new contract with the San Jose Earthquakes through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season on Tuesday, with a club option for 2029-30.  “It feels great to re-sign with San Jose and commit to the Earthquakes for the foreseeable future,” Judd said in a statement. “Getting an opportunity to be in an environment where people believe in me, from the coaches to my teammates, and of course, the fans, has allowed me to grow as a player during my time here. Now, I’m eager to make more memories with the Quakes for years to come.”  Judd has a career-high 11 goals and two assists through 15 games (14 starts) with the Quakes this season. His 11 goals lead all American players and are tied for fourth in MLS. He is also near the top of the league in many offensive categories, including goals scored in the run of play (11, tied for first), expected goals (10.23, third), headed goals (two, tied for third) and shots on goal (27, third).  The 27-year-old scored in a club-record-tying four consecutive road games to close out the first half.   “We are pleased to re-sign Preston Judd,” Earthquakes head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He has made very good progress over the past year and a half and has had an impressive goal-scoring record. We look forward to his continued progress and contributions to the San Jose Earthquakes. He is most deserving of a new contract.”  Judd has earned three MLS Team of the Matchday honors this season, most recently on Matchday 15, when he scored twice during San Jose’s first road win over Portland in MLS play.   He also scored twice during Matchday 9 to claim the recognition, and assisted on a Niko Tsakiris goal and later scored one of his own during the Quakes’ win over San Diego FC on Matchday 6.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Earthquakes #sign #Preston #Judd #extensionMay 23, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd (19) tries to fight through hands of Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller (4) during the second half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

Forward Preston Judd signed a new contract with the San Jose Earthquakes through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season on Tuesday, with a club option for 2029-30.

“It feels great to re-sign with San Jose and commit to the Earthquakes for the foreseeable future,” Judd said in a statement. “Getting an opportunity to be in an environment where people believe in me, from the coaches to my teammates, and of course, the fans, has allowed me to grow as a player during my time here. Now, I’m eager to make more memories with the Quakes for years to come.”

Judd has a career-high 11 goals and two assists through 15 games (14 starts) with the Quakes this season. His 11 goals lead all American players and are tied for fourth in MLS. He is also near the top of the league in many offensive categories, including goals scored in the run of play (11, tied for first), expected goals (10.23, third), headed goals (two, tied for third) and shots on goal (27, third).


The 27-year-old scored in a club-record-tying four consecutive road games to close out the first half.

“We are pleased to re-sign Preston Judd,” Earthquakes head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He has made very good progress over the past year and a half and has had an impressive goal-scoring record. We look forward to his continued progress and contributions to the San Jose Earthquakes. He is most deserving of a new contract.”

Judd has earned three MLS Team of the Matchday honors this season, most recently on Matchday 15, when he scored twice during San Jose’s first road win over Portland in MLS play.

He also scored twice during Matchday 9 to claim the recognition, and assisted on a Niko Tsakiris goal and later scored one of his own during the Quakes’ win over San Diego FC on Matchday 6.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Earthquakes #sign #Preston #Judd #extension">Deadspin | Earthquakes sign F Preston Judd to extension  May 23, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA;  San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd (19) tries to fight through hands of Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller (4) during the second half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images   Forward Preston Judd signed a new contract with the San Jose Earthquakes through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season on Tuesday, with a club option for 2029-30.  “It feels great to re-sign with San Jose and commit to the Earthquakes for the foreseeable future,” Judd said in a statement. “Getting an opportunity to be in an environment where people believe in me, from the coaches to my teammates, and of course, the fans, has allowed me to grow as a player during my time here. Now, I’m eager to make more memories with the Quakes for years to come.”  Judd has a career-high 11 goals and two assists through 15 games (14 starts) with the Quakes this season. His 11 goals lead all American players and are tied for fourth in MLS. He is also near the top of the league in many offensive categories, including goals scored in the run of play (11, tied for first), expected goals (10.23, third), headed goals (two, tied for third) and shots on goal (27, third).  The 27-year-old scored in a club-record-tying four consecutive road games to close out the first half.   “We are pleased to re-sign Preston Judd,” Earthquakes head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He has made very good progress over the past year and a half and has had an impressive goal-scoring record. We look forward to his continued progress and contributions to the San Jose Earthquakes. He is most deserving of a new contract.”  Judd has earned three MLS Team of the Matchday honors this season, most recently on Matchday 15, when he scored twice during San Jose’s first road win over Portland in MLS play.   He also scored twice during Matchday 9 to claim the recognition, and assisted on a Niko Tsakiris goal and later scored one of his own during the Quakes’ win over San Diego FC on Matchday 6.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Earthquakes #sign #Preston #Judd #extension

Haaland reportedly purchased the taxidermied raccoon in Texas, because that is an appropriate place to find a stuffed raccoon posed in such a way that it can hold a bottle of vodka with its little hands. The piece of folk art came from Wild Bill’s Western Store, costing Haaland a smooth $750 — which is a bargain for a new friend. Now Haaland is trying to solicit the internet to name his new buddy, and the options are pretty great.

There is only one correct option, obviously: ROW. Now only does it honor the Norwegian fans during the World Cup who rowed their raw around stadiums and across cities, but also “Raccoon on Wheels” is one of the greatest statements I have ever heard.

This was a transformative World Cup for Haaland. He went from being a brilliant but largely misunderstood player — and walked away being one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.

#Erling #Haaland #brought #stuffed #raccoon #bottle #holder #Norway">Erling Haaland brought a stuffed raccoon bottle holder back to Norway  It’s safe to say that Norway became a lot of people’s favorite team after the USMNT’s elimination from the World Cup. Superstar striker Erling Haaland was a huge part of that, as the giant enjoyed being in the United States for the Cup, soaking up the sights, sounds, and experiences. That also involved falling in love with a dead, stuffed raccoon posed to hold a liquor bottle that he brought home, and nowHaaland reportedly purchased the taxidermied raccoon in Texas, because that is an appropriate place to find a stuffed raccoon posed in such a way that it can hold a bottle of vodka with its little hands. The piece of folk art came from Wild Bill’s Western Store, costing Haaland a smooth 0 — which is a bargain for a new friend. Now Haaland is trying to solicit the internet to name his new buddy, and the options are pretty great.There is only one correct option, obviously: ROW. Now only does it honor the Norwegian fans during the World Cup who rowed their raw around stadiums and across cities, but also “Raccoon on Wheels” is one of the greatest statements I have ever heard.This was a transformative World Cup for Haaland. He went from being a brilliant but largely misunderstood player — and walked away being one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.  #Erling #Haaland #brought #stuffed #raccoon #bottle #holder #Norway

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