Thousands of former MSU students watched from the student section at Breslin Center as the men’s basketball team defended, rebounded and ran its way to a lopsided Big Ten victory on Thursday night.
The Spartans dismantled Washington in an 88-54 wire-to-wire victory to remain undefeated in conference play. The Spartans played at a different level than the Huskies, rarely missing a beat and cruising to a blowout win in a game that was never close.
While MSU’s frontcourt shut down junior forward Great Osobor, the reigning Mountain West Player of the Year who transferred to Washington from Utah State to follow head coach Danny Sprinkle this offseason, the Spartans’ backcourt led the offense from start to finish.
Senior guard Jaden Akins scored an efficient 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting while guards Jase Richardson, Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears Jr. combined for 35 points. Fears dished out 10 assists. Forwards Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler grabbed seven rebounds apiece.
Osobor missed all eight field of his goal attempts, finishing with six points from free throws.
“Defensively, I thought we were unbelievable,” Izzo said postgame. “Offensively, we moved the ball, did good things, we just missed a bunch of shots (in) the first half.”
MSU (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) secured its first win over Washington since the 2010 Maui Invitational, improving to 5-2 all-time against the Huskies. Washington dropped to 10-6 overall and 1-4 in conference play in its first Big Ten season.
The Spartans’ victory over a transfer-heavy, newly-staffed Washington team wasn’t a strong test, but it was another sign of MSU’s becoming a contender again in college basketball.
There’s no doubt Izzo and company have bigger goals in mind than being the subject of national discourse, but stacking wins like this one is the foundation for confidence and understanding that handling business in favorable matchups, even on nights where execution isn’t perfect, separates contenders from the rest.
MSU will travel to play an always-pesky Northwestern team under head coach Chris Collins on Sunday, Jan. 12 at noon.
During the 2021-22 season, MSU started 14-2 and 5-0 in the Big Ten before losing to Northwestern in early January, which began its slow slide to a 20-11 finish and first-weekend exit in the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team.
MSU pounces early
Either Washington was ice cold, or MSU played terrific defense. Whatever the reason for the Spartans’ 16-1 start Thursday night, squeezing in on Osobor down low was the story.
The 6-foot-8 forward was tag-teamed by MSU’s frontcourt from the opening tip, starting 0-for-6 from the field. Washington’s offense was stifled at every level, making its first field goal over 10 minutes into the first half.
“I think we are getting tougher. I think we rebounded. I think we defended really well early,” Izzo said. “Putting our bodies on some people, we’re getting better at that.”
Behind a raucous alumni Izzone, MSU jumped to a 16-1 lead capped by a dunk from freshman forward Coen Carr in transition. Sprinkle and his team struggled to keep the game competitive, as the Spartans took a staggering 42-13 lead into halftime.
The first half was all MSU. The Spartans assisted on 12 of their 14 made field goals compared to Washington’s one assist. They won the rebound battle 25-19, doubled Washington’s points in the paint, and outscored the Huskies 17-2 on the fast break.
Sprinkle and Washington failed to impress in their first appearance at Breslin Center as members of the Big Ten, with the game essentially over at halftime. Meanwhile, MSU shot just 3-for-13 from distance in the first half, yet still found ease in claiming a convincing lead.
“It was our night,” Izzo said. “It wasn’t their night.”
MSU thrives despite perimeter struggles
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Three-point shooting has been far from MSU’s strong suit this season, but it has not stopped them from winning.
The Spartans entered the game ranked 340th in Division I in three-pointers made, 296th in three-pointers attempted, and 345th in percentage. Yet, they continue to succeed due to their elite defense, ranking No. 10 in defensive efficiency and top 15 in defensive rebounding, according to KenPom.
So while Washington’s perimeter defense held opponents to just 28% from distance entering Thursday, having to win inside the arc was no problem for the Spartans. They shot 7-for-21 from three and won by 34 points.
"We still got a long way to go," Izzo said. "I mean, it was one of those nights tonight. But this team is getting better. The camaraderie, the fast break, the strength in numbers, the constantly coming at you. There's some pluses to that right now."
