Spartans Smother Maryland with Lockdown Defense, Crisp Ball Movement in 91-48 Rout
Back in the friendly confines of the Breslin Center after a West Coast swing, Michigan State wasted no time reminding everyone why they’re one of the most complete teams in the country. The Spartans didn’t just beat Maryland - they dismantled them. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it was all green and white in a 91-48 statement win that showcased everything Michigan State basketball is built on: defense, rebounding, and unselfish play.
Let’s start with the defense, because that’s where this game was decided. Michigan State didn’t just defend - they suffocated.
Maryland never led, never found a rhythm, and rarely even found clean looks at the basket. The Spartans came out with energy and intensity on that end, and it never let up.
Three emphatic blocks early on set the tone, each one louder than the last. Freshman Cam Ward delivered the exclamation point with a monster swat that sent the ball flying and the Breslin crowd into a frenzy.
It was the kind of play that doesn’t just stop a possession - it sends a message.
And that message was clear: nothing would come easy for the Terps.
Rebounding and ball movement - two pillars of Tom Izzo’s system - were once again front and center. The Spartans won the rebounding battle 35-24, including an 8-7 edge on the offensive glass.
Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper did the heavy lifting with eight boards apiece, but this was a full-team effort. Eleven different Spartans grabbed at least one rebound.
That’s the kind of all-hands-on-deck mentality that wins games deep in March.
Offensively, the ball movement was as sharp as it’s been all season. Michigan State racked up 25 assists on 34 made baskets - a staggering number that speaks to both execution and trust.
Jeremy Fears was the engine, dishing out a career-high 17 assists to go with his 17 points in a performance that was equal parts floor general and shot-maker. When your point guard is putting up a 17-17 night, you’re in good shape.
Jordan Scott and Divine Ugochukwu chipped in with two assists each, and four other Spartans added one apiece. This wasn’t hero ball - it was team basketball at its finest.
Turnovers have been a thorn in the Spartans’ side at times this season, but not in this one. Michigan State took care of the ball, committing just eight turnovers - a significant drop from their season average.
Maryland, on the other hand, coughed it up 11 times, and the Spartans made them pay with 17 points off those mistakes. That’s the kind of efficiency that separates good teams from great ones.
And speaking of separation - the Spartans left Maryland in the dust in transition. Michigan State piled up 31 fast-break points.
Maryland? Zero.
That’s not a typo. The Terps were completely shut out in the open floor.
When MSU is running like that, they’re almost impossible to keep up with.
Even with the defense leading the charge, the Spartans’ shooting was no slouch. They hit 9 of 19 from beyond the arc, with every starter knocking down at least one triple - including big man Carson Cooper, who got in on the fun with a rare make from deep. Overall, Michigan State shot a scorching 61% from the field (34-of-56), while Maryland struggled to get anything going, finishing at just 33% (18-of-54).
Offensively, it was a balanced attack behind Fears. Cooper and Coen Carr each added 14 points, while Kohler chipped in 11. And the depth was on display - every Spartan who played at least nine minutes scored, except for Trey Fort, who had a couple looks but didn’t connect.
With the win, Michigan State moves to 18-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play. But there’s no time to rest.
A road trip to Rutgers looms on Tuesday. On paper, it’s a game the Spartans should handle, but this time of year, no matchup is a given - especially on the road.
Of course, the real buzz is building for what comes after. Michigan State returns home next weekend to host archrival Michigan, currently ranked No. 3 in the country. It’s the kind of showdown that defines a season - and the state’s been waiting for it.
But first, business at Rutgers. If the Spartans bring the same energy and execution we saw against Maryland, they’ll be more than ready when the Wolverines roll into East Lansing.