The Spartans finished the 85-67 win with 45 rebounds – 29 on defense – which helped them score quickly in transition. Many of MSU's 30 fast-break points came from a Tre Holloman or Jeremy Fears Jr. lob to a flying Coen Carr, who had his fair share of patented dunks that had the Izzone screaming in excitement.

"We’re more athletic, our running game can be good," Izzo said postgame. 

The Spartans finished with 16 offensive rebounds and scored eight second-chance points, which were crucial in the second half during a tight couple of minutes against the Division II school. For a moment in the second half, it seemed like Ferris State could take the lead.  

The score was 40-28 at halftime and though it was close in moments, Michigan State never trailed and the two teams were tied for only 52 seconds at the beginning. 

Senior guard Jaden Akins finished with a mere three points, the first two coming within a minute of play. He started off like the leader Izzo and teammates want him to be, but only scored one more point the rest of the game to go with five rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.

Guards Holloman and Fears Jr. were the playmakers in transition, combining for 17 of MSU's 22 assists, and were both on the court when the Spartans took a commanding 69-50 lead deep into the second half. 

Transfer forward Frankie Fidler made more of a silent impact, leading the team with 14 points, including a pair of momentum-shifting triples. In the paint, the Spartans had their way. 42 of their 85 points came down low and MSU’s big men — sophomore Xavier Booker, junior Jaxon Kohler, graduate Szymon Zapala and junior Carson Cooper — combined for 25 points. 

Another positive was Michigan State’s ability to score off opposing turnovers as it turned 18 takeaways into 24 points. MSU committed 14 turnovers for 10 points the other way. 

MSU went to the line often and performed well, shooting 22-for-28 from the free-throw line. Fears Jr., Fidler, Booker and Kohler went a combined 18-for-21.

The question for MSU is its rotation and starting lineup, which may both change in the future, Izzo said. Of over half a dozen lineup variations, Izzo said the best featured three guards alongside Kohler and Carr. 

"We created some problems ourselves from our rotations," Izzo said. 

Next week, the Spartans open their regular season with Monmouth at home. If Michigan State can play fast in the backcourt, shoot well in the frontcourt and control the glass, doors will open for this Spartan team looking to return to national prominence.