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Michigan State Athletics: 5 best things that happened in 2023

As the year comes to a close, it's a good time to reflect on the past 365 days. While Michigan State has had its share of heartbreak, and sorrow, and hopelessness, there have been some bright spots.

By Scott Tolonen

Champions Classic: Duke v Michigan State
Champions Classic: Duke v Michigan State / Michael Hickey/GettyImages
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Miroslav Mucha, Viktor Hurtig
Dual in the D Michigan v Michigan State / Dave Reginek/GettyImages

2. The end of MSU hockey's 2022-23 season and the start of 2023-24

Adam Nightingale has brought the Spartans hockey team to the forefront of the sport in just his second year at the helm.

Last year, Nightingale took a team that finished 12-23-1 the year before and brought them to a .500 record and just missing out on a postseason berth. He also lead the Spartans to their first Big Ten Tournament win since 2015. It was also the first non-losing record for the team since that same year.

At the end of 2023, the Spartans hold the top spot in the Big Ten hockey standings. They have sweeps over teams like Lake Superior State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. The team is exciting to watch (most goals in the Big Ten), plays gritty defense, and has elite talent at goaltender (third-best goals against in the Big Ten).

Nightingale has this team poised for big things and should be a must-watch throughout the 2024 half of the season.

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