Michigan State Handles Toledo with Ease, But the Real Tests Await in January
EAST LANSING - Michigan State took care of business Tuesday night, dispatching Toledo 92-69 in a game that was effectively over by halftime. And while the win was dominant, it also marked the end of the Spartans’ “learning phase” for the next couple of weeks.
The next real test? A January 2 road trip to face an undefeated Nebraska squad that’s quietly putting together its most formidable team in decades.
That’s not a knock on Tuesday’s performance - far from it. If anything, it’s a compliment to what Tom Izzo’s group has become over the past month.
This MSU team is playing with a maturity and physicality that overwhelms opponents like Toledo, even ones with talented mid-major backcourts. The Rockets were outmuscled, out-rebounded, and outpaced from the opening tip.
And while Toledo will likely hold its own in the MAC, it was clear from the jump that they weren’t built to hang with the Spartans in the Breslin Center.
MSU’s Frontcourt Sets the Tone Early
Let’s start with Jaxon Kohler, who put together a stat line that looked like something out of a video game - 14 points and 11 rebounds by halftime. He finished with 16 and 13, plus three assists, and showed the kind of hustle coaches dream about.
Case in point: diving on the floor for a loose ball with a 31-point lead in the second half. That’s the kind of effort that sets the tone for a team heading into conference play.
Freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. continued to flash his playmaking chops, racking up 10 points and six assists before the break, and finishing with 15 and eight. He’s showing more command of the offense each game, and his chemistry with the rest of the rotation is only getting stronger.
And then there’s Kur Teng, who caught fire from deep. He knocked down three triples before halftime, added another after the break, and finished with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. His confidence is growing, and that’s a big development for this team.
By the time the first half buzzer sounded, MSU had built a 58-28 lead and held a 32-12 edge on the glass. They finished with a 54-24 rebounding advantage and cruised the rest of the way, even giving the Okemos twins - Brennan and Colin Walton - a chance to close things out with back-to-back threes that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Shooting Confidence on the Rise
If there’s one tangible takeaway from a game like this, it’s the Spartans’ shooting rhythm. MSU shot over 50% from the field and hit 10 of 23 from long range. That’s not something you can always count on in the grind of Big Ten play, but it’s encouraging to see the ball going through the net - especially for the young guys.
Kur Teng’s emergence as a reliable shooter could be a game-changer. Over his last two games, he’s 6-for-7 from three. On the season, he’s now above 40% from deep (15-for-37 through 11 games), and while he’s not going to play 25 minutes a night due to defensive limitations, his ability to stretch the floor gives Izzo another weapon.
Add in Jordan Scott, who’s quietly 5-for-11 from three over his last four games, and Divine Ugochukwu, who’s hit 6 of his last 7 triples, and suddenly the Spartans have some depth at the shooting guard spot. It’s not about having one guy play 30 minutes - it’s about having multiple players who can contribute in spurts. If MSU can get consistent shooting from that group, it changes the ceiling of this team.
Rotations Still a Work in Progress
One thing fans shouldn’t get too worked up about just yet: the rotation. Yes, Denham Wojcik checked in as the backup point guard in both halves, just like he did against Penn State.
And yes, that raised a few eyebrows in the building. But let’s keep it in perspective - this is still December, and this coaching staff is clearly using these games to test combinations and give guys opportunities.
Wojcik made the most of his minutes, dishing out six assists in 12 minutes, including a slick wraparound pass that set up an easy layup. MSU was +10 with him on the floor. That’s the kind of contribution you want in spot duty, even if it’s unlikely he’ll be logging meaningful minutes in tight Big Ten games.
Redshirt freshman Jesse McCulloch also got extended run - 14 minutes, seven points, eight boards. He held his own, even if the scoreboard was even during his time on the floor. These are the reps that matter for young players trying to earn trust before the conference grind begins.
As for Ugochukwu, who started at shooting guard again, it’s becoming clear that his long-term role may be better suited as a backup ball-handler behind Fears. That would allow Izzo to simplify the rotation and keep the backcourt flexible.
What’s Next
With the non-conference slate winding down, MSU has shown us enough to know that these games - while fun - aren’t going to tell us much more. The Spartans are too polished, too physical, and too deep for most of the mid-majors they’ve faced. That’s not a knock on the schedule - it’s a reflection of where this team is right now.
The real evaluations begin in January, starting with that showdown in Lincoln. Until then, MSU will look to stay sharp, stay healthy, and keep building on the confidence they’ve gained over the last few weeks.
For now, the Spartans are doing exactly what good teams are supposed to do in December: dominate the games they’re supposed to win - and do it with purpose.