Michigan State Escapes Detroit With a Win, But Questions Linger After Oakland Scare
Michigan State walked away from Little Caesars Arena with a 79-70 win over Oakland on Saturday, but let’s be honest - it didn’t feel like a comfortable victory. The Spartans were tested, pushed, and at times outplayed by a Golden Grizzlies squad that always seems to bring their best when facing MSU. This one followed the familiar script: Oakland hanging around, Michigan State unable to fully pull away, and a game that left more questions than answers.
Yes, a win is a win. But if you’re Tom Izzo or anyone in the locker room, you know this one didn’t inspire a ton of confidence.
Still, better to learn from a shaky win than a painful loss. Let’s dig into three key takeaways from Saturday’s performance - and why they matter with Big Ten play looming.
1. The Spartans’ Cold Stretches Are Becoming a Pattern - and a Problem
The first ten minutes of this game? Rough.
As in, arguably the worst stretch of basketball this team has played all season. And what’s more concerning is that this isn’t an isolated incident - it’s becoming a trend.
Over the last four games, Michigan State has had multiple extended lulls where the offense stalls, defensive intensity dips, and everything just feels out of sync.
Against teams like Penn State, Toledo, and Oakland, those lapses didn’t cost them. But once they’re deep into the Big Ten grind or staring down a tournament opponent?
That kind of inconsistency can be fatal. These aren’t just slow starts or brief cold spells - we’re talking about 8-10 minute stretches where the Spartans look like a completely different team.
And not in a good way.
Whether it’s a lack of energy, execution, or rhythm, Izzo’s crew has to figure out how to stop these funks from snowballing. Because right now, they’re flirting with the kind of inconsistency that can derail a promising season.
2. Coen Carr Took a Step Forward - and MSU Needs More of It
Coen Carr has taken his fair share of heat lately, and to be fair, it hasn’t been unwarranted. His struggles in the half-court offense have been a real issue - not just for him, but for the team’s overall spacing and flow. When Carr’s limited to transition plays and athletic finishes, defenses don’t have to respect him in the half-court, and it clogs things up.
But on Saturday, Carr showed signs of progress. He looked more comfortable operating within the set offense, making better reads and playing with more purpose. It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a step in the right direction - and that matters.
The reality is, Carr brings a level of athleticism and energy that few others on the roster can match. But if he’s going to be more than just a highlight-reel guy, he’s got to continue evolving in the half-court.
The jumper is still a work in progress, no doubt, but even small improvements in his offensive awareness and decision-making can go a long way. Saturday showed what it looks like when Carr finds a rhythm - and it’s something Michigan State needs more of.
3. The Two-Guard Spot Is Still Wide Open - But Kur Teng Is Making His Case
If there’s one position still very much up for grabs, it’s the two-guard. Right now, it’s a bit of a revolving door.
Divine Ugochukwu has been getting the starting nod. Kur Teng has flashed scoring ability and looked like the most productive option.
Trey Fort has barely seen the floor. And Jordan Scott has gotten a sprinkle of minutes here and there.
The bottom line? Someone needs to take control of this spot - and soon.
The experimental phase of the season is winding down. Big Ten play is here, and Izzo needs to know who he can trust in crunch time.
Right now, Teng is making the strongest case. He’s scoring, he’s confident, and he looks like a guy who’s ready to seize the moment.
But this isn’t just about who starts - it’s about who finishes games. It’s about who can defend, hit shots, and make smart decisions when it matters most.
The Spartans don’t need a star at the two, but they do need stability. And unless someone else steps up fast, it looks like Teng might be the one to provide it.
The Road Ahead
Michigan State got the win, but the performance leaves plenty to chew on. The good news?
There’s still time to tighten things up. The bad news?
The margin for error is shrinking. With Big Ten play ramping up, every possession, every rotation, every stretch of play matters.
Izzo’s teams are known for peaking late, and there’s still belief that this group can hit its stride. But if the Spartans want to make noise come March, they’ll need to clean up the cold spells, find some consistency at the two, and keep getting more from guys like Carr.
The clock’s ticking - and the real tests are just beginning.