With a week left in the regular season, any slip-ups are unforgiving. On Sunday afternoon, Michigan State men’s basketball took care of business behind a strong offensive performance.
Against Indiana, MSU continued its offensive surge with multiple Spartans scoring career highs. MSU’s 77-64 win built on its victory over Purdue earlier in the week, fueled by a strong perimeter attack and limited mistakes.
It was a return to form for senior forward Jaxon Kohler. Kohler scored a career-high 21 points with 13 rebounds, reestablishing himself as a presence in the paint. Kohler hasn’t scored 15 or more points since the last time MSU and Indiana squared off on Jan. 13. Sophomore guard Kur Teng also recorded a career high, shooting 6-for-8 from the field with 18 points, all from three.
It marked the most three-pointers Teng has made in a game.
The last time he converted on four or more from the perimeter was on Jan. 2 at Nebraska.
MSU’s defense has been its strength all season, at one point ranking No. 1 in defensive efficiency per KenPom, but as of late, the Spartans have turned on the gas in the frontcourt.
Jeremy Fears added on to the party with 21 points and a pair of threes. With two games remaining, Fears has found his rhythm. Unlike the Fears of earlier in the calendar, he is no longer looking to put the team on his back – instead, he’s taking the right shots when they come and being a leader first.
Earlier in the season, Fears emphasized not forcing shots early in possessions.
Now, Fears is back to the facilitator-first role that brought him success earlier in the season. Elite guard play is a big help for teams in March, especially if they play the selfless style of basketball Fears has become known for, leading the country in assists per game.
After a quiet stretch, Kohler took advantage of size mismatches in the post.
MSU’s second-leading points per game scorer used double teams to his advantage. He found his teammates on the perimeter when he was pressured, and when he wasn’t, spun off his defender, scoring easy buckets in the paint.
It was the measured, calm play style Kohler said he was trying to get back to.
Before MSU’s three wins in the past seven days, MSU was ranked No. 14 in the country by the NCAA Selection Committee, earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament projection. With the trio of wins, the Spartans are likely to move up; how far is yet to be seen.
MSU now moves to 24-5 (14-4) and sits third in the Big Ten. Next up for the Spartans is senior day against Rutgers on Thursday, March 5, at 8:00 p.m. on Fox Sports One. MSU will then round out the regular season with a rematch against No. 3 Michigan in Ann Arbor.
With at least a 1-1 finish, MSU will clinch a top four seed in the conference tournament, earning a bye into the third round.
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