Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck ~ Imagn Images
FORT MYERS, Fla. ~ Michigan State left little doubt about its early-season form Tuesday afternoon, dismantling East Carolina 89-56 in its opening game in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The Spartans, ranked No. 11 nationally, turned a competitive first few minutes into a runaway by halftime, building a 23-point cushion and never looking back. Tom Izzo’s squad improved to 6-0 behind a relentless mix of pace, depth and defensive intensity.
The Spartans’ offensive rhythm was on full display. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler paced Michigan State with 16 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the attack with six points and nine assists. Junior forward Coen Carr added 13 points, including a soaring dunk that electrified the crowd, and sophomore guard Divine Ugochukwu added 16 points, drilling three 3-pointers off the bench. Michigan State shot 50% from the field and drained 13 3-pointers, spreading the scoring across 11 players in a balanced effort.
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(CONTINUED) Michigan State clamped down on East Carolina with suffocating defense, turning the game into a one-sided affair. The Spartans held the Pirates to just 33% shooting and forced a staggering 24 turnovers, converting many of those mistakes into easy transition points. ECU’s offense completely unraveled after halftime, enduring an 11-minute stretch without a field goal, a drought that allowed Michigan State to blow the lead wide open. By the time the final horn sounded, the Spartans had left no doubt about their dominance on both ends of the floor.
Next up, Michigan State faces a marquee Thanksgiving showdown with No. 16 North Carolina, a matchup that will test the Spartans’ early-season momentum. For Michigan State, the formula remains clear: depth, defense and dynamic guard play have them looking every bit like a Big Ten contender and a team ready to make national noise.
