EAST LANSING ~ MSU men’s basketball faced Toledo Thursday night for a 91-61 blowout victory to finish week one 2-0. Dominant rebounding and offensive depth sustained a steady Spartan lead through the game.
After head coach Tom Izzo expressed disappointment in preseason rebound success, the Spartans responded by outperforming the Rockets 52-27 on the glass. MSU added two centers taller than 7 feet in the offseason, Anton Bonke and Ethan Taylor. While their height provides an advantage on the glass, it was 6-foot-8 guard Jordan Scott’s anticipation and energy that led the team with nine rebounds.
Other Spartan newcomers are filling out offensive depth. Alongside veteran wing Scott, freshman Jasiah Jervis started Thursday and knocked down three first-half triples to secure the lead. He led the team with 16 points, followed by Jeremy Fears Jr. and Scott with 12 points each, marking the three guards an early season offensive core.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
VICTORY FOR MSU https://t.co/rI1atpA5jE
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 6, 2026
(CONTINUED) Fouls limited the Spartans throughout the game, with 25 total calls against MSU, five of which were called on Cam Ward in just nine minutes. The whistle was active on both sides, but the Spartans capitalized on only 23 of 38 free-throw attempts, shooting 60.5%.
Turnovers and missed opportunities become more consequential against top competition, including MSU’s next opponent, No. 3 Duke. The Spartans will play their first away game when they face the Blue Devils at a neutral site in Chicago on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
