In a college athletics world where much is changing, there's a pair of coaches in Michigan who share one of the game's longest-lasting relationships.
In Saturday's 79-70 victory over Oakland, Michigan State men's basketball was caught in a physical game where the Grizzlies front court and back court played. It was a game that put MSU’s grit and grind to the test.
While Michigan State mens basketball dominated Toledo 92-69 on Tuesday, problems such as missed layups and turnovers still limited the team from being at its best.
MSU showed its offensive potential in a dominating first half, but slowed in the second before beating Toledo 92-69.
Most games, MSU's identity positions it to win the battle of strength, but Duke showed the late-game offensive gear still has to catch up.
MSU struggled offensively as starting guards Jeremy Fears Jr. and Kur Teng combined for 0-for-15 from the field, though Fears contributed 13 assists and perfect free-throw shooting. Senior center Carson Cooper led the way with 16 points and 16 rebounds, supported by Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr, but the Spartans’ scoring woes prevented them from gaining an edge.
Michigan State battled Duke in a back-and-forth game but ultimately fell 66–60 after struggling late on offense and failing to counter Duke’s effective zone defense. Despite strong individual efforts — including Cooper’s standout defense on Cameron Boozer — the Spartans couldn’t maintain their early rhythm, leaving them close, but not close enough.
Off to its best start in a decade, MSU faces its toughest opponent at Breslin Center since 2019, the Duke Blue Devils.
Michigan State mens basketball dominated in a suffocating defensive performance in its Big Ten season opener against Iowa, winning 71-52.
Michigan State men's basketball showed its potential with stifling defense and a sound half-court offense in a dominating 71-52 defeat of Iowa.
No. 7 MSU is set for its first conference foe, Iowa, and looks to build on its successes through a 7-0 start.
Michigan State men’s basketball, now ranked No. 11 after wins over Kentucky and Detroit Mercy, is set for the Fort Myers Tip-Off, where it will face East Carolina and No. 16 North Carolina. With ECU entering at No. 244 in KenPom and UNC led by standout freshman Caleb Wilson, the Spartans will return home afterward to host Iowa on Dec. 2 and Duke on Dec. 6.
Even though the Spartans had no trouble with Detroit Mercy in a 28-point win, the team's consistency will need to improve if it wants to win at a high level.
On Friday, Michigan State basketball's 84-56 victory over Detroit Mercy showed good things, showed bad things, showed inconsistent things. In an inconsistent game, the Spartans outweighed the Titans through the play of its four horseman.
