Michigan State rolled to its tenth win of the season Tuesday night, dispatching Toledo 92-69 in a game that showcased both the team’s depth and the ongoing shuffle at the two-guard spot. It wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. And this time, it was freshman Kur Teng who made the most noise.
Teng came off the bench and delivered a sharp-shooting performance, dropping 14 points on 5-of-9 from the field, including four makes from beyond the arc. He looked confident, fluid, and completely unbothered by the moment-exactly what you want to see from a young guard trying to carve out a role in a crowded backcourt.
This performance came just days after Divine Ugochukwu had his own breakout against Penn State, further emphasizing the revolving nature of the two-guard position for the Spartans this season. It’s clear that head coach Tom Izzo is still feeling out his rotation, and right now, it’s less about locking in a permanent starter and more about riding the hot hand. Against Toledo, that hand belonged to Teng.
After the game, Teng spoke in the locker room about where his confidence comes from-particularly when it comes to his shooting stroke. And it’s not hard to see why he trusts it. His release is quick, his form is clean, and when he’s in rhythm, he has the kind of range that stretches a defense and opens up the floor for everyone else.
Michigan State doesn’t lack for talent in the backcourt, but what they’ve been searching for is consistency. Teng’s performance adds another layer to that conversation. If he continues to shoot like this, it’s going to be tough to keep him off the floor-especially in games where spacing and perimeter shooting are at a premium.
The Spartans are still figuring out exactly who they are, but nights like this show they’ve got options. And when those options include a freshman stepping up and hitting four threes with confidence, that’s a good sign for a team with big aspirations.