For the first time in a while, Michigan State basketball had to dig deep.
The Spartans, winners of six straight coming into Tuesday night, ran into a gritty Rutgers squad that refused to roll over. Michigan State trailed by double digits in both halves - down 12 at one point in the second - and looked out of sync for long stretches.
But when it mattered most, they found a way. A clutch three-pointer from Divine Ugochukwu with just 10 seconds left forced overtime, and the Spartans took control from there, pulling out an 88-79 win that felt anything but routine.
Let’s break down what we learned from a game that tested Michigan State in ways it hadn’t been tested in weeks.
1. Michigan State needed this kind of battle
No, it wasn’t pretty. And no, it wasn’t what fans were hoping for - especially not after a string of comfortable wins. But in the long run, this might be the kind of game that pays dividends.
The Spartans had been cruising. Over their six-game win streak, they hadn’t really been pushed.
That changed in a big way in Piscataway. Rutgers, sitting at 9-11, didn’t look like a major threat on paper.
But under Steve Pikiell, the Scarlet Knights have made a habit of turning the RAC into a house of horrors for visiting teams. Michigan State found that out firsthand.
What stood out was how Michigan State responded. The first half was sloppy.
The defense struggled to get stops in the second. But when the clock started winding down, the Spartans didn’t fold.
They got gritty. They got tough.
They got the stops they needed and hit the shots that mattered. That kind of late-game composure isn’t built in blowouts - it’s forged in games like this.
This was a reminder that in the Big Ten, nothing comes easy. And for a team with championship aspirations, surviving a grind-it-out road game like this is a crucial step forward.
2. Jeremy Fears continues to grow into a star
There’s not much left to say about Jeremy Fears that hasn’t already been said - but we’re going to say it anyway, because he keeps giving us reasons to.
Fears didn’t have it early. He struggled through much of the first half, looking a bit out of rhythm.
But late in the game, he let Tom Izzo know he was ready to take over. And then he did just that.
Fears poured in 29 points and dished out nine assists, including a momentum-shifting and-one that tied the game at 67 late in regulation. He was aggressive, poised, and confident - exactly what you want from your floor general in a hostile environment.
And while he did get beat on a late possession in regulation, he recovered with strong defensive play in overtime. That’s growth.
Oh, and he went 16-of-17 from the free throw line. That’s the kind of efficiency that wins games, especially when every possession matters.
Right now, if you’re Michigan State, there’s no one you’d rather have with the ball in crunch time than Jeremy Fears.
3. Friday just got a whole lot bigger
When Michigan State fell behind by 12 in the second half, it felt like Friday’s showdown with Michigan might become a must-win to stay in the Big Ten title race. Instead, the Spartans clawed their way back, and now Friday night in East Lansing is shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season.
The Wolverines held off Nebraska in a tight one, so both teams come into Friday’s matchup riding momentum. And now, it’s not just about bragging rights - it’s about positioning atop the conference standings.
Yes, Nebraska and Illinois are still right there in the mix, but a win over Michigan would give the Spartans a one-game edge over their in-state rivals and keep them firmly in the hunt for the Big Ten crown.
This is what college basketball in January is all about - high stakes, fierce rivalries, and teams finding out what they’re made of. Michigan State showed some of that Tuesday night. On Friday, they’ll need even more.