EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State men’s basketball opened its season with a 96-59 win over Quinnipiac on Monday night. Freshman guard Jasiah Jervis became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Spartans since 2021, making an early impression alongside a veteran core.
Jervis, an 18-year-old guard from New York and a top-40 prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, entered the season with limited expectations because head coach Tom Izzo has traditionally been reluctant to rely heavily on freshmen. Izzo reiterated his longtime “freshmen eat last” philosophy throughout the preseason, making Jervis’ place in the starting lineup notable. After scoring 10 points in his exhibition debut against Incarnate Word, Jervis finished Monday’s opener with four points and three rebounds in 23 minutes.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Win #1 🟢 ⚪ https://t.co/Ehx0j3PT8v
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 3, 2026
(CONTINUED) The starting center role remained unclear entering the game. Jesse McCulloch and Ethan Taylor both spent time at center during the preseason, but transfer Anton Bonke earned the start against Quinnipiac. Bonke, who was pulled during both exhibition games after sluggish stretches, responded with 11 points and 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes.
Jeremy Fears Jr. led the Spartans with 13 points and 11 assists, while Coen Carr added 12 points. Michigan State also found consistent success near the basket, scoring 50 points in the paint.
After Izzo criticized the team’s transition play during the preseason, the Spartans responded with a significant advantage in fast-break scoring, outscoring Quinnipiac 36-8. With its depth on display in the opener, Michigan State will face Toledo on Thursday at 8 p.m. as it continues a challenging nonconference schedule.
