Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State delivered one of its most dominant performances in recent memory, thrashing Maryland 91–48 on Saturday afternoon at the Breslin Center. The Spartans exploded to a 46–23 halftime lead and never allowed the Terrapins within striking distance the rest of the way, improving to 18–2 overall and 8–1 in Big Ten play. Sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr. once again orchestrated the offense with a masterful all-around performance, finishing with 17 points and a career-high 17 assists, tied for the second-most in a single game in MSU history. Senior center Carson Cooper and junior forward Coen Carr each added 14 points, while senior forward Jaxon Kohler chipped in 11 as Michigan State shot a blistering 61% from the field.
What set the tone early, Izzo said, was the team’s commitment to physicality and accountability, a message strengthened by the program’s reunion weekend. “This program’s been built on physical toughness, mental toughness, and some accountability,” he told WJR’s correspondent Nic Fardella, noting how much it meant to play that hard in front of former Spartans who “busted their way through weather” to return. Even with the lopsided score, Izzo stressed he didn’t believe this was Maryland at its best, calling the Terps “a very physical team” that simply caught MSU on a day when everything clicked.
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(CONTINUED) Michigan State’s transition game proved overwhelming, outscoring Maryland 31–0 on the fast break, a staggering margin that reflected both defensive sharpness and relentless pace. Izzo praised his team’s focus, particularly the execution guarding ball screens and sticking to the scouting report. He also highlighted the lift from his younger players, especially freshman forward Jordan Scott, who hit a timely 3-pointer and energized the Spartans during a first-half run. “If you defend and you stop people, the runs get better,” Izzo said, adding that the team’s maturity showed in how they avoided the typical second-half letdown that can accompany a big lead.
After the game, Izzo pointed to the growth of players like Fears, Cooper, and Carr, not just statistically, but in leadership and resilience. He celebrated Cooper’s improvement, joking about his unexpected made 3 but praising his defense and rebounding as the core of his value. Izzo also emphasized the importance of continuity in an era defined by roster movement: “I will not beg a guy to stay here,” he said. “You’ve got to want to be here, it is a privilege to be here.” With a road trip to Rutgers on Tuesday and a tougher stretch approaching, Izzo made it clear the Spartans won’t get ahead of themselves. But at 18–2, with one of the program’s best starts ever, Michigan State’s confidence is growing, and its latest performance showed exactly why.
