Michigan State did what top-10 teams are supposed to do in December tune-ups: handle business with authority. Against a Toledo squad that’s no pushover in the MAC, the Spartans didn’t just win-they took control early and never let go. And while the final score won't make headlines, the performance offered plenty to dissect, especially through the lens of Tom Izzo, who-as always-wasn’t ready to hand out gold stars just yet.
Let’s start with the good. Michigan State came out firing in the first half, setting the tone with energy and execution.
Izzo even admitted, “Pretty damn good first half. If Kohler makes a pair of layups, might have been the best first half in the history of here.”
That’s high praise from a coach who’s seen it all in East Lansing. The Spartans moved the ball well, found clean looks, and played with the kind of defensive intensity that’s become a hallmark of Izzo’s best teams.
But as is often the case with Izzo, the focus quickly shifted to what needs fixing. Missed layups were once again a sticking point-something that’s been a recurring theme this season.
“We did not learn our lesson from the San Jose State game,” he said. “Too many missed layups.”
It’s not just a matter of finishing at the rim-it’s about the physicality and focus that come with it. Izzo pointed to a specific sequence from Jaxon Kohler, who missed two point-blank shots in a row.
“It has been three games in a row now,” Izzo said. “It cost us Duke.
It almost cost us Penn State.”
That’s not nitpicking. That’s a coach connecting the dots between small mistakes and big consequences. In a season where margins can be razor-thin, especially come March, those missed opportunities matter.
Izzo also gave credit where it was due-to Toledo’s Sonny Wilson, who impressed despite his team’s early struggles. “We recruited Sonny, we looked at Sonny. I thought he was phenomenal,” Izzo said, before adding that he wasn’t thrilled with how his team defended him at times.
As for the young Spartans, there were flashes of growth. Kur Teng stood out with his shooting and readiness off the bench.
“Kur Teng played better. I thought we did a good job.
He was ready to shoot, made some good shots,” Izzo noted. But he’s still looking for more from others.
“Divine, Coen, I still want to get more out of them. I want to get more out of our bigs in layups.”
It’s clear Izzo isn’t just coaching for December wins-he’s coaching for March readiness. That means demanding more from his players now, especially in games like this where the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story.
Even the fans got a mention from Izzo, who quipped, “The fans did a better job in the second half than we did.” Classic Izzo-never fully satisfied, always pushing for more.
And while he hinted at some holiday rest-“If they are tired, you know what, maybe I will give them Christmas off”-you get the sense that rest will be earned, not given. With film sessions ahead and plenty to clean up, this team is still very much a work in progress.
But make no mistake: this was a dominant win. And if Michigan State can clean up the little things-those missed layups, those defensive lapses-they’re going to be a problem for anyone come tournament time.