Michigan State’s first two games have already produced a lineup tweak that looks less like a short-term patch and more like a real option Tom Izzo may want to keep around.
With Jesse McCulloch sidelined by a concussion and Cam Ward working his way back after a minor ankle injury in the offseason, the Spartans have opened with a different five in their wins over Quinnipiac and Toledo. That group has been:
PG Jeremy Fears Jr.
SG Jasiah Jervis
SF Jordan Scott
PF Coen Carr
C Anton Bonke
That’s a noticeable shift from the preseason opener against UConn, when Michigan State started:
PG Jeremy Fears Jr.
SG Jordan Scott
SF Coen Carr
PF Cam Ward
C Anton Bonke
The biggest change is also the one that may matter most: Coen Carr at power forward. Carr has spent years at small forward, but this setup puts him in a spot that feels more natural in college.
At 6-foot-6, he’s a little undersized for the four in the long run, which is part of why he’s been used at the three. That choice makes sense for his development and his NBA future, but it also can limit what Michigan State can do right now.
At power forward, Carr’s lack of shooting is easier to cover up.
Jordan Scott sliding to small forward makes plenty of sense, too. He’s one of the top three players on the roster, and if someone wants to argue he’s top two, there’s room for that. He can handle multiple positions and defend up to four spots, but he looks most comfortable at the three.
The other major benefit has been getting Jasiah Jervis into the starting lineup. Moving everyone up a spot opened the door for the freshman, and he’s made the most of it.
Jervis scored 16 points Thursday to lead all scorers, knocking down four 3-pointers. Izzo still had some concerns about his defense, but Jervis has already shown enough to suggest he can be a real two-way piece for this team, the kind of shooting guard who can impact both ends like Max Christie or Joshua Langford.
There’s also a cleaner fit for Jeremy Fears Jr. in this version of the lineup. Cam Ward is a player Michigan State likes, but pairing Ward and Carr together up front can crowd the floor.
That becomes a problem when Fears, who still isn’t a true perimeter threat, is trying to run the offense. With Carr at the four and Bonke willing to take the occasional three, Fears has more room to work.
The sample size is tiny, but the results have been strong. EvanMiya.com lists this as Michigan State’s most efficient lineup by far so far this season.
Izzo will keep mixing and matching, as he usually does, but this five-man group has the look of something worth keeping in the pocket. The real measuring stick comes Tuesday against Duke, and the hope is that Izzo sticks with this lineup long enough to see what it can do against top-level competition.
In Other News...
Michigan State Just Found A Way To Add Juice To Rivalry Week
Rivalry week usually sells itself, but this one has needed a little help. Michigan State heads into the 2026 meeting with Michigan on a six-game losing streak and a roster thinned by several key absences, while the Wolverines are set up as the safer pick at home. For much of the buildup, the noise around the matchup has been muted, with the usual edge and chatter replaced by a more subdued tone than Spartans fans are used to seeing.
Michigan, though, has managed to add a little spark to the week in its own way. A comment from coach Kyle Whittingham downplaying the rivalrys significance has given the game a fresh talking point and a little extra fuel for a matchup that was already carrying plenty of baggage. Even in a season where both sides have had their issues, this is still Michigan State-Michigan, and any slight or shrug tends to travel fast once the rivalry gets close. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Enters Rivalry Game With One Huge Problem On Offense
Michigan State heads into the rivalry matchup in Ann Arbor carrying a familiar kind of pressure, only this time the concern is less about the stage and more about whether the offense can function well enough to keep pace. Both programs have had uneven seasons under new head coaches, but Michigan has steadied itself a bit more lately, especially on offense, while the Spartans are trying to navigate a stretch defined by injuries and uncertainty at quarterback.
That leaves Michigan State in a difficult spot against a Michigan team that is favored largely because of its defense and better overall health. The game should still have the edge and tension that comes with this rivalry, but the Spartans need a cleaner offensive performance than they have been able to produce recently if they want to avoid letting Michigan's defense dictate the night. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Saw One Breakout And One Big Concern Vs Toledo
Michigan States 30-point win over Toledo pushed the Spartans to 2-0, and it came with one clear bright spot in Jordan Scott. He delivered a strong all-around outing, setting career highs in rebounds and assists and giving Tom Izzo another look at the kind of high-motor effort that can help settle a rotation early in the season.
Cam Ward, meanwhile, left the game with a much different kind of attention. Foul trouble quickly cut into his night, and he fouled out early, leaving Izzo disappointed by how little Ward was able to stay on the floor. For a team still sorting out its pieces, Scotts rise and Wards early-season concern stood out in the same win. [Read more 🡒]