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Michigan State Dodgeball: A recap of the 2023 national title game

By Scott Tolonen

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty in the first half against against the USC Trojans at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty in the first half against against the USC Trojans at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: Trevor Zegras #46 of the Anaheim Ducks, dressed as the character Peter La Fleur from the movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” shoots the puck while blindfolded against actor Wyatt Russell in the Breakaway Challenge event during the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills at T-Mobile Arena on February 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: Trevor Zegras #46 of the Anaheim Ducks, dressed as the character Peter La Fleur from the movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” shoots the puck while blindfolded against actor Wyatt Russell in the Breakaway Challenge event during the 2022 NHL All-Star Skills at T-Mobile Arena on February 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Overtime

I know most of you know this, but overtime consists of 6-on-6 sudden death with a 10-second shot clock in effect for both teams.

Michigan State sent out the “Core 4” of Girling, Kramer, Butler III, and McClean with standout freshmen Barriball and Nick Fedewa. Grand Valley countered with Ben Smart, Josh Hill, Owen Israels, Tyler Peach, Alec Gonzalez, and Matthew Budai.

In the initial rush, Butler III made a great play to get Budai out early, but Hill got revenge on Butler III moments later. The Lakers took the lead after Hill bests Girling after going back and forth on multiple throws and misses.

MSU then took back the lead when an injury to Peach slowed him down just enough to get tagged. After Gonzalez went down, it was a 5-2 Spartan advantage until Ben Smart made an unbelievable catch to cut it to 4-3. An Owen Israels drop and a Budai heel nick meant it was down to one Laker vs. four Spartans.

With enough firepower, your Michigan State Spartans barraged Smart to win the 2023 NCDA National Championship 2-1 (OT).

The first title in club history.

Next. Projected starting 5 with Malik Hall back. dark

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