The Spartans are gearing up for a potentially grueling stretch in Chicago, facing the possibility of three games in as many days, followed by weekend matchups until they either advance or bow out of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Tom Izzo is calling for more from his bench, a crucial factor as they navigate this demanding schedule.
"If you look at our defensive numbers, they're about the same as last year. Our offensive numbers have improved," Izzo noted. "But when it comes to depth and bench production, we're not where we need to be."
The bench has been averaging a modest 15 points per game, and Izzo is keen on changing that. "We've got to get more from our bench, and that's a focus this week," he said. "We've had meetings to emphasize their importance moving forward."
Jeremy Fears Jr., the Spartans' standout, logs 32 minutes per game and has surpassed 35 minutes in nine outings this season. Despite the heavy workload, Fears shows no signs of slowing down, especially when the game is on the line.
In his last five games, Fears has been putting up 17.4 points per game over an average of 35 minutes. Even with Divine Ugochukwu's injury, Fears remains pivotal, though Izzo plans to give Denham Wojcik more minutes to manage the workload.
“You're going to see Denim playing more," Izzo explained. "He’s reliable defensively, and that’s crucial right now. I might give him more minutes to give our guards some rest."
The Spartans are set to face either UCLA, Rutgers, or Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, airing Friday night on CBS.
For many Spartans, this NCAA Tournament will be a new experience. Four players are making their debut, while five others are experiencing it for the first time with MSU. The team leans on its captains-Fears, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr, and Carson Cooper-for leadership, a vital component as they aim for a deep tournament run.
Fears has been mentoring the newcomers, stressing the intensity of March Madness. "It's a different beast.
Every play and possession counts," he said. "A single bad game or half can send you home."
Despite setbacks, including Kaleb Glenn’s season-long leg injury and the absence of other key players, MSU has demonstrated resilience. Glenn is back in practice, redshirting after missing the season.
“It was tough losing Caleb, and even tougher when Divine and Cam went down,” Izzo reflected. “Those guys would have been key contributors off the bench.”
As the Spartans prepare for the tournament, their depth and leadership will be tested, with every game presenting an opportunity to prove their mettle on the national stage.