MSU remains undefeated in Big Ten play; Kershaw becomes MLB’s first $30 million man

Here are your top sports stories this morning:

-  Michigan State basketball moved to 16-1 and 5-0 in the Big 10 Ten with a win over Northwestern.  The Spartans held the Wildcats to just 28.3% shooting from the field and 21.7% from behind the arc.  Adreian Payne did not play, and will get an x-ray on his foot tomorrow.  MSU visits Illinois on Saturday.

- Clayton Kershaw is the first baseball player to exceed $30 million in annual salary, inking a 7-year $215 million dollar deal with the Dodgers.  The deal has an opt-out after five seasons, setting Kershaw up for another monster extension after his age 30 season if he continues to pitch well.  This deal is a win for both sides.  Contracts are growing, but in different ways for pitchers and position players.

Position players are getting longer contracts (for example, Robinson Cano getting 10 years in his age 31 season), whereas average annual value is increasing for pitchers.  One thing is for sure; Max Scherzer is going to get paid, either by the Tigers or someone else.  He won't fetch quite as much as Kershaw, but look for him to get somewhere in the neighborhood of seven-years and $185 million.

- A NFC north rival has a new head coach.  The Vikings have hired former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.