Michigan State’s preseason meeting with UConn offered an early look at where the Spartans stand - and, just as important, where the answers still are not.
The top-10 matchup stayed tight for a stretch before the Huskies pulled away enough to hand Michigan State a 78-70 home loss. There was no shame in losing to a Final Four-caliber team, but the night still left a few clear themes for Tom Izzo’s group, especially on the offensive end.
The biggest concern might have been the night’s most expensive-looking experiment: Anton Bonke. Michigan State’s major offseason addition, the 7-foot-2 center who averaged around 10 points and 8 rebounds at Charlotte, started but logged only six first-half minutes before sitting out the entire second half.
Izzo said afterward that Bonke simply “wasn’t ready” and took the blame himself for that. If he can’t be on the floor, that’s a real problem for a team looking for size and production.
Freshman Ethan Taylor gave the Spartans a little something off the bench, finishing with five points in 11 minutes, and his role could grow quickly if Bonke remains behind.
Kaleb Glenn’s night was almost the opposite kind of concern: quiet, but still hard to ignore. The 6-foot-7 transfer arrived with a reputation as a scoring option after averaging around 13 points per game at Florida Atlantic, though a torn ACL kept him out all of last season.
Against UConn, he never got going. Glenn played 10 minutes, didn’t score and never even attempted a shot.
That doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture, but it does mean Michigan State will need time before it knows exactly what it has there.
If the Spartans are looking for a bright spot from the bench, Jasiah Jervis provided one. The freshman didn’t just contribute; he stood out.
Jervis scored 11 points in 23 minutes and knocked down a couple of three-pointers, giving Michigan State its only other double-digit scoring night besides Jeremy Fears, who finished with 23 points and eight assists. Jervis accounted for 66% of the Spartans’ made three-pointers, and the top-75 freshman prospect appears ready to matter right away.
Michigan State still has a lot to sort out offensively, but Jervis at least gave Izzo another young piece worth building around.
In Other News...
Tom Izzo Sent A Clear Message To MSU Fans In Loss
An October exhibition at the Breslin Center turned into a showcase of how intense Michigan State fans can be, but it also brought a reminder from Tom Izzo about where the line should be. When UConn coach Dan Hurley was met with hostile chants during the game, Izzo stepped in and asked the crowd to stop, even as the No. 5 Huskies went on to beat No. 6 Michigan State 78-70.
The game itself still had the feel of a big-stage meeting between two nationally respected programs, with both coaches showing plenty of appreciation for the other side afterward. Izzo and Hurley each praised the opposing team and coaching, leaving the Spartans with a result they did not want but also a clear message from their own coach about how he wants the home environment handled. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremy Fears Jr. Just Gave Michigan State Fans A New Worry
Michigan States exhibition against UConn ended with a familiar preseason mix of promise and concern, as the Spartans fell 78-70 at Breslin Center but still got a strong performance from Jeremy Fears Jr. The guard paced the team with 23 points and eight assists, helping keep Michigan State in the game against a UConn frontcourt that controlled stretches of the night and made life difficult on the glass.
The bigger worry for the Spartans came in the second half, when Fears gave the fan base a scare after appearing to deal with an ankle issue. Even in a game that did not count in the standings, his health matters to a team trying to sort out its backcourt and tighten up before another exhibition against Marquette, especially with UConns rebounding edge serving as a reminder of how quickly preseason games can expose issues. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State May Have A Bigger Jeremy Fears Jr. Story Brewing
Michigan States exhibition loss to No. 4 UConn still gave the Spartans a useful look at where things stand early, and Jeremy Fears Jr. made sure he stayed at the center of it. The sophomore guard led Michigan State with 23 points and eight assists, and he looked more explosive than he did a year ago, punctuating the night with a one-handed dunk that stood out even in a game the Spartans ultimately dropped 78-70.
The bigger takeaway, though, may be how much Fears can shape everything around him if this version sticks. Michigan State also got 11 points from freshman guard Jasiah Jervis, while the starting center spot remains unsettled after Jesse McCulloch played well enough to challenge the expected starter Anton Bonke. For a team still sorting out its rotation, Fears jump is the kind of development that can change the ceiling in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]