No single MSU player stole the spotlight
Again, not one player stepped up for MSU and outshined all others. Days after men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo expressed his opinions on MSU keeping a balanced team, the Spartans’ match against Minnesota proved no different.
Multiple players contributed in key areas to secure another conference and home win for the Spartans.
Senior center Szymon Zapala grabbed four offensive rebounds in the opening five minutes, while junior guard Tre Holloman hit three consecutive three-pointers, sparking a 15-4 run to close the half. Contributions from every player fueled the win, a hallmark of this MSU team.
Holloman, senior guard Jaden Akins and sophomore forward Xavier Booker all scored in double-digits, with 12, 10 and 10, respectively, on a combined 11-for-26 shooting, and nine players scored at least five points. Junior center Carson Cooper led the team with 11 rebounds and three blocks, with junior forward Jaxon Kohler behind him with seven rebounds and two blocks. Freshman guard Jase Richardson and redshirt freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr. combined for 14 assists and only one turnover, an incredible feat.
MSU outscored Minnesota by 12 points at the free-throw line, finishing 15-for-20. Booker led with four made free throws, while Fears Jr. and Cooper each added three.
Time and time again, there wasn’t a sole MSU player who stood out at the end of the game, which has helped the team win 13 games straight, becoming undefeated in December and January for the first time in the Tom Izzo era.
"They’re so deep and balanced," Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson said. "Every guy comes in, and they’re productive. We didn’t have enough to overcome that today."
Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia and Mike Mitchell Jr. couldn’t carry the load alone
Nearly two months ago, MSU defeated Minnesota 90-72 without facing guard Mike Mitchell Jr. This time, his return was expected to make a difference for the Gophers.
Dawson Garcia entered the game averaging 19.7 points, the third-most in the Big Ten, and 20.7 points per game in conference matchups.
Garcia and Mitchell are the cornerstones of Minnesota’s team, but anything short of perfection from them left the Gophers overmatched — as was evident Tuesday night.
Mitchell Jr. managed just eight points on 3-for-10 shooting, one rebound, and no assists. He was quiet in the first half, scoring only three points in 17 minutes, and although he improved in the second half, it wasn’t enough to challenge MSU.
Garcia kept Minnesota within striking distance, scoring eight points on 4-for-9 shooting in the first half. He shined in the second half with 13 points and three rebounds, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds, and an assist. Despite his efforts, Minnesota’s lack of depth beyond Garcia and Mitchell Jr. was evident, and the game highlighted the Gophers’ need for more contributors.
"There was no rhythm that we got into offensively. I didn't feel like anybody really established themselves or got comfortable or got into a flow," Johnson said.
Without Garcia and Mitchell Jr. playing at their best, the Gophers looked disorganized and outmatched against MSU. For Minnesota to improve and compete for an NCAA Tournament spot, they’ll need more production from the rest of their roster.
MSU’s first half defense was ideal, even with sluggish offensive start
Despite MSU jumping out to a 6-0 start, the Spartans struggled offensively early on. However, they compensated with strong defensive play, recording stops, blocks, and forcing poor shots from Minnesota. MSU outrebounded Minnesota 21-12 in the first half, with Zapala and Cooper combining for 11 boards.
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MSU added four blocks and six steals, holding Minnesota to just 16 points on 7-for-22 shooting. The Gophers committed 11 turnovers, more than double Michigan State's total, and failed to score any fast-break points, compared to MSU’s 11.
MSU’s defensive dominance in the first half allowed the Spartans to build and maintain a comfortable lead. The game was tied for just over one minute before the Spartans took control for the remainder of the half — and the entire game.
Minnesota struggled to find scoring opportunities as MSU’s physical defense forced tough shots and frequent turnovers. By halftime, the Spartans led 36-16, with the Breslin Center energized by their dominant performance. It was clear Minnesota couldn’t contain the surging Spartans.
"In all the years I’ve been here, I thought the first half of basketball was one of the best halves defensively," Izzo said. "Then we started taking care of the ball and moving a little better."
Offensive rebounds propelled MSU’s momentum
13 of MSU’s 40 rebounds were offensive, with Zapala and Cooper combining for nine of them. Jaxon Kohler, Xavier Booker, Frankie Fidler, and Kur Teng each added one offensive board to keep the Spartans’ offense alive.
Each offensive rebound created a fresh scoring opportunity for MSU, and they often capitalized. While the Spartans typically turn offensive boards into layups or dunks, they found success shooting from beyond the arc, hitting eight three-pointers, including four from Holloman. These plays fueled MSU’s momentum throughout the game.
MSU will make a west coast trip, playing against USC on Saturday, Feb. 1 and UCLA on Tuesday, Feb. 4, before heading back home for the last month of play before the Big Ten Tournament.
"I think all but one of our next 11 games, if you win, would be a Quad One win. That kind of tells you a lot, and yet, I don’t want to diminish what we’ve done either, because we’ve done some incredible things, and we have stayed focused," Izzo said. "My job is to make us the best team we can be, and the best version of themselves they can be. That’s what I’m focusing on."
MSU and USC will tip off at 4:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, with the game streaming on Peacock.
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