Oct 28, 2025; Hartford, CT, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies forward Dwayne Koroma (4) during the first half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Oct. 27, 2025 ~ In a spirited exhibition matchup between two nationally ranked programs, No. 22 Michigan State fell to No. 4 UConn, 76–69, at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford. The game, while not counting toward either team’s official record, served as a valuable litmus test for Tom Izzo’s squad ahead of the regular season. The Spartans struggled early, shooting just 2-for-12 from the field in the first 10 minutes and trailing 19–9. UConn capitalized on Michigan State’s offensive woes, using a 14–4 run to build a lead it never relinquished.
Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. led the Spartans with 14 points, adding six assists and three steals, though he also committed six turnovers. His aggressive play earned him 13 trips to the free-throw line, where he converted 10. Senior center Carson Cooper added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Jaxon Kohler chipped in 10 points and 12 boards. Despite the individual efforts, Michigan State couldn’t string together enough stops or buckets to close the gap, especially after UConn’s decisive 11–0 run midway through the second half.
PODCAST
October 27, 2025 ~ Michigan State University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Izzo joins Chris, Lloyd, and Jamie to discuss the season opener this week.
(CONTINUED) UConn’s depth and physicality proved too much for the Spartans, particularly in the paint and on the offensive glass. The Huskies maintained a double-digit lead for much of the game, with their defense stifling MSU’s half-court sets. Michigan State’s offense showed flashes of cohesion in the second half, narrowing the deficit to single digits late, but the Huskies responded with timely scoring to halt any comeback attempt.
Michigan State now turns the page to the regular season, which tips off Monday against Colgate. While the exhibition loss to UConn wasn’t ideal, it gave the Spartans a chance to test themselves against one of the nation’s top teams. There were encouraging signs, especially in rebounding and defensive effort—but also clear areas to clean up, like ball security and offensive rhythm. With a deep bench and plenty of talent, Michigan State has the tools to make noise this season. Now it’s about putting the pieces together when the games start to count.
