Michigan State took care of business Tuesday night, cruising past Indiana 81-60 at the Breslin Center in a game that started tight but turned into a second-half showcase. The Spartans ripped off a 28-2 run after halftime to break open what had been a deadlocked battle, turning a tense Big Ten matchup into a statement win.
It wasn’t flawless basketball from start to finish-early foul trouble for Carson Cooper and some offensive inconsistency kept things interesting-but when Michigan State locked in defensively, it was lights out for the Hoosiers. That kind of defensive surge is what Tom Izzo teams are built on, and it showed up in a big way when it mattered most.
As the Spartans prepare to head west for a road swing through Washington and Oregon, here are three key takeaways from a win that could serve as a turning point in their conference campaign:
1. Jeremy Fears isn’t just facilitating-he’s finishing
Jeremy Fears has always been a steady hand at the point, a guy who can run the offense, set the table, and make the right reads. But Tuesday night, he showed a different gear-a scorer’s mentality. He was aggressive, hunting his shot, attacking downhill, and putting pressure on Indiana’s defense inside the arc.
Sure, he took a few too many threes for comfort, but the bigger picture here is what his scoring threat means for Michigan State. When Fears is looking to get buckets, not just distribute, it changes the dynamics of the offense.
It forces defenses to respect him as a dual threat, which opens up lanes for teammates and creates better spacing overall. MSU doesn’t need him to be a volume scorer every night-but when he’s assertive like this, the Spartans are simply a better team.
2. Jordan Scott is built for Big Ten basketball-but pacing is key
Jordan Scott doesn’t look like your typical freshman. He plays with a maturity and motor that jump off the screen. On Tuesday, he delivered again-11 points, strong defense, and a handful of hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score but swing momentum in real time.
Scott’s energy is contagious, and he’s clearly ready to be a meaningful contributor down the stretch. But here’s where the coaching chess match comes in: the freshman wall is real.
Izzo knows it, and managing Scott’s minutes over the next couple of months will be crucial. You want him fresh when the games really start to matter in March.
The key will be finding that sweet spot-enough minutes to keep him sharp and impactful, but not so many that he burns out before tournament time.
3. Kur Teng is emerging as the sharpshooter this lineup needs
Michigan State has been searching for a consistent perimeter threat, and Kur Teng is making a strong case that he’s the answer. He’s shooting the three with confidence and efficiency, and he’s holding his own defensively-a combination that fits perfectly with this roster’s needs.
Teng’s floor-spacing ability is a game-changer, especially when paired with the likes of Fears, Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, and Cooper. His shooting stretches defenses, opens up driving lanes, and gives MSU a different dimension offensively.
If he keeps this up, it’s hard to argue against him being the top shooting guard option on this team. And if he stays consistent, he might just be the missing piece that helps this group hit its ceiling.
Michigan State’s win over Indiana wasn’t just another tally in the conference standings-it was a reminder of what this team can look like when everything clicks. The defense was suffocating, the young talent stepped up, and the pieces are starting to fit together.
Now comes the test of consistency, especially as the Spartans hit the road. But if Tuesday night was any indication, this team is trending in the right direction-and fast.