Michigan State’s Missed Opportunity in Minneapolis: A Wake-Up Call in the Big Ten Race
For 38 minutes in Minneapolis, Michigan State looked like a team sleepwalking through a critical conference matchup. The final two minutes?
That’s when the Spartans finally played with the urgency the moment demanded. But by then, the damage was done.
MSU’s 76-73 loss to Minnesota wasn’t just a stumble - it was the kind of defeat that could linger. The Spartans nearly pulled off a miraculous late rally, but the truth is they spent most of the night getting outplayed on both ends of the floor. And in the Big Ten, where every game matters for seeding and momentum, this one stings.
Let’s start with the Gophers. This is a team that came in shooting under 33% from three-point range.
On Wednesday night, they hit 10 of 21 from deep - nearly 48%. It felt like every big shot they needed, they got.
And while Minnesota has had its struggles closing out games, they built enough of a cushion - up 67-51 with four minutes left, and still ahead 69-60 with under a minute to go - to survive a frantic MSU push.
The win sparked a court storming at Williams Arena, and you could see what it meant to the Gophers. For MSU, it was their first truly damaging loss of the season. Not a total shocker, but one that separates them from the pack of Big Ten contenders who’ve managed to avoid these kinds of landmines.
Core Four Goes Cold
At halftime, Michigan State’s key young core - Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper - had combined for just four points on 2-for-14 shooting. That’s not going to cut it, especially on the road.
The Spartans looked disjointed offensively and lacked their usual edge defensively. They were in a funk, and there wasn’t an easy fix.
If this game had gone just a minute longer, maybe MSU pulls off the comeback. But college hoops doesn’t work that way.
They’ve now dropped two straight, and this one could have real implications for their Big Ten title hopes. With Illinois up next, Michigan State needs to find its rhythm - and fast.
Jordan Scott’s Debut in the Starting Lineup: A Glimpse of What’s to Come
Freshman Jordan Scott got his first career start, and while he wasn’t flawless, he showed exactly why he’s in the starting five. He finished with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including three made threes.
He also chipped in two rebounds, an assist, and two steals. His free-throw shooting (2-for-4) left room for improvement, but on a night when few Spartans had it going, Scott was a bright spot.
He opened the game with a smooth step-in jumper and later nailed a big three to cut the Gophers’ lead to eight, sparking a bit of life into a sluggish MSU offense. Another clutch three with a minute left kept the Spartans within striking distance.
The one he missed late? That would’ve been massive.
Defensively, Scott had some growing pains. He got muscled on a few possessions and turned it over twice.
Teams are going to test him physically, especially on the wing. That’s part of the learning curve.
But offensively, he gave MSU what they needed - and on this night, more than most.
He doesn’t need to be a 15-point scorer every night - not yet. But if he can consistently bring this kind of shot-making and energy, the Spartans will take it.
A Tough Break for Ugochukwu
Divine Ugochukwu looked like he was settling into his new role off the bench - until an apparent foot or leg injury cut his night short just seven minutes before halftime. And that hurt, because he was making a real impact.
Ugochukwu had been moved back to a reserve role, but he didn’t sulk. He came in with purpose, bringing energy and attacking the rim with confidence.
His second drive to the basket came when MSU was down 12-3, and it gave the team a much-needed spark. He also helped clean up the glass and pushed the pace when given the chance.
Credit to the coaching staff for recognizing the moment. After a couple of early struggles, Tom Izzo pulled Jeremy Fears aside and inserted Ugochukwu, who responded with poise and production. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone he’s still a factor in this rotation.
But then it ended abruptly. Ugochukwu subbed himself out, limped to the locker room, and didn’t return to the game.
He was back on the bench in the second half, but never re-entered. And for a team already searching for consistency, not having him for any stretch moving forward would be a real blow.
He’s not one of the top four guys on this roster - maybe not even top five - but he’s right there. His ability to handle the ball, defend, and drive adds a layer MSU can’t easily replace.
What’s Next?
This was a game the Spartans will want to forget - but probably shouldn’t. There’s a lesson in here about urgency, consistency, and what it takes to win on the road in the Big Ten.
The final two minutes showed what Michigan State is capable of when they lock in. The rest of the game showed what happens when they don’t.
They’ll need to bring that late-game fire from the opening tip when Illinois comes to town. Because the margin for error in this conference is razor-thin - and MSU just learned that the hard way.