Michigan State Handles Toledo, but Izzo Sees More Than the Scoreboard
For the first 20 minutes in East Lansing, Michigan State looked every bit the top-tier program it’s been under Tom Izzo for decades. The Spartans came out firing, locked in on both ends, and overwhelmed Toledo with energy, execution, and effort.
But that second half? Let’s just say Izzo wasn’t exactly handing out gold stars afterward.
Despite cruising to a 92-69 win and improving to 10-1 on the season, Izzo made it clear postgame: this team isn’t just playing for December wins - it’s being built for March. And when your coach is thinking about postseason toughness in a mid-December blowout, you know the bar is high. The message was simple: effort is non-negotiable, no matter the scoreboard.
With Big Ten play looming in January, Michigan State still has some polishing to do. But there were plenty of individual performances worth diving into. Let’s break down how each player graded out - not just by the box score, but by the impact they made on the floor.
Jeremy Fears Jr. - B+
Fears put up a strong stat line: 15 points and eight assists. But this wasn’t his cleanest performance.
The second half saw some uncharacteristic sloppiness - three turnovers, a 4-for-11 shooting night, and just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc. And for a guy who’s usually a defensive pest, the absence of a steal stood out.
Still, he ran the offense well for stretches and showed flashes of his dynamic playmaking.
Carson Cooper - B-
Cooper flirted with a double-double (eight points, nine boards), but this wasn’t his sharpest outing. He turned it over three times, went 2-for-5 from the field, and missed a pair of free throws.
Most notably, he didn’t grab a single offensive rebound - a rare stat line for a guy who’s usually active on the glass. Solid, but below the standard he’s set recently.
Jaxon Kohler - A-
Kohler continues to be one of the most dependable players on this roster. He delivered a first-half double-double and finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and a block.
He shot 7-for-13 from the field, knocked down two of his three three-point attempts, and pulled down six offensive rebounds. That’s the kind of all-around hustle that coaches love and teammates feed off of.
Coen Carr - B
Carr flashed his athleticism and finished with 14 points and four boards, but turnovers were an issue - four of them, to be exact. Izzo wasn’t thrilled with a missed layup either, but Carr bounced back with one of his better offensive performances. Clean up the ball security, and this could’ve easily been a B+ or better.
Divine Ugochukwu - C
After a breakout 23-point performance at Penn State, Ugochukwu’s follow-up was surprisingly quiet. Just two points on 1-of-2 shooting, one rebound, and not much else.
He looked like a ghost on the offensive end - a far cry from the aggressive, confident version we saw last time out. This one’s a learning experience.
Kur Teng - A-
Confidence is everything for a shooter, and Teng is finally playing like he believes in his shot again. He went 5-of-9 from the floor and drilled four of his five threes, finishing with 14 points in just 17 minutes. When he’s locked in like this, he adds a whole new dimension to the Spartans’ offense.
Cam Ward - B+
Ward brings a jolt of energy every time he checks in. He scored just five points, but racked up six rebounds in 17 minutes and played with noticeable intensity - all while wearing a sizable wrist brace. He’s the kind of glue guy every good team needs, and he continues to carve out a meaningful role off the bench.
Jordan Scott - B
Scott’s game doesn’t always jump off the stat sheet, but his impact is real. Two points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal - but more importantly, he made smart plays and looked comfortable in his role. Once he finds consistency from three (0-for-2 in this one), he’ll be even more valuable.
Jesse McCulloch - A-
McCulloch is quietly making a case for a bigger role. He had seven points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night, pulled down eight rebounds, and blocked three shots in just 14 minutes.
He did commit a foul where he looked out of position, but that’s nitpicking. His growth is obvious, and he’s earning Izzo’s trust in the post.
Denham Wojcik - B
Wojcik might not have been the fan favorite early on, but he made the most of his minutes. Six assists to just one turnover, and a few sharp passes that sparked the offense.
He took some contact without getting calls, but stayed composed and helped run the show effectively. Solid night for the coach’s son.
Trey Fort - B-
Fort only played seven minutes, which makes it tough to fully evaluate. But in that short stint, he put up three points, two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Efficient and active - maybe enough to earn more minutes moving forward. Time will tell.
The Walk-Ons - A+
The crowd may have been dozing off in the second half, but the walk-ons brought them back to life. Colin and Brennan Walton each launched a three (and neither one hit the rim, in the best way possible).
Nick Sanders didn’t get a shot up, but the energy these guys brought in garbage time helped end the night on a high note. A+ for vibes, effort, and entertainment.
Final Takeaway
Michigan State did what it was supposed to do - beat a lesser opponent comfortably. But Tom Izzo doesn’t just coach for today’s scoreboard; he coaches for the moments that matter in March. And if the Spartans are going to make a serious run this season, they’ll need to bring 40 minutes of focus, not just 20.
The win over Toledo showed what this team can be. Now it’s about becoming that team consistently. The lessons are coming - and knowing Izzo, so are the practices.