Michigan State is doing what Michigan State does best-developing talent, staying patient, and peaking at the right time. The No. 10-ranked Spartans are right in the thick of the Big Ten title hunt, riding a 17-2 record and a 7-1 mark in conference play. And while the record looks great on paper, the real story is how this team has been built from the inside out.
Let’s start with senior forward Jaxon Kohler, who’s playing the best basketball of his career. He’s gone from a solid contributor to an All-Conference-level big man, anchoring the paint with poise, footwork, and a soft touch that’s giving opposing defenses fits.
Then there’s redshirt sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr., who’s emerging as one of the most impactful two-way guards in the Big Ten. Add in senior center Carson Cooper, another player who’s made a leap under Tom Izzo’s guidance, and you’ve got a frontcourt trio that’s as tough and well-rounded as any in the league.
The Spartans are coming off a successful two-game swing out West, and while wins are wins, coaches always keep an eye on how teams respond physically and mentally to those long trips. With four days to recalibrate, Michigan State should be ready to roll when they return to East Lansing on Saturday.
But this next one has all the makings of a classic trap game. Maryland is battered, bruised, and just 1-7 in Big Ten play-but that doesn’t mean they’re a pushover.
The Terps are missing star big man Pharrel Payne, who suffered a nasty knee injury last month and isn’t expected back this season. Still, first-year head coach Buzz Williams has his team scrapping through every possession, even as the losses pile up.
Matchup to Watch: Jeremy Fears Jr. vs. Diggy Coit
If you haven’t heard of Diggy Coit yet, now’s the time. The 5-foot-11 guard just dropped 43 points on Penn State and has been one of the most dangerous isolation scorers in the country.
He’s shifty, fast, and can get to his pull-up jumper almost at will. But he’s running into a Michigan State defense that’s built to handle guys like him.
The Spartans are elite at loading up driving lanes and forcing tough decisions. That puts the spotlight on Fears again-he’s already making a strong case for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and this is another chance to add to the résumé. If he can keep Coit in check and keep Maryland’s offense out of rhythm, Michigan State will be in full control.
Beating the Zone
Maryland’s been leaning heavily on zone defense lately-not because it’s working all that well, but because it might be their best option with Payne sidelined and depth stretched thin. Other teams like Oregon and Duke have slowed Michigan State down by going zone, forcing the Spartans into a perimeter-heavy attack that doesn’t always suit their personnel.
Maryland’s zone doesn’t have the teeth of those other teams, but it does encourage a lot of threes-teams are launching from deep on nearly 60% of their possessions against it. That’s not exactly Michigan State’s bread and butter, especially when guys like Coen Carr, Fears, and Cooper are on the floor together.
But if Fears can break down the zone and get into the lane, that’s when Michigan State becomes dangerous again. Paint touches lead to kick-outs, dump-offs, and second-chance points-exactly the kind of chaos the Spartans thrive on.
Transition Trouble for Maryland
One of the staples of Buzz Williams’ system is aggressive offensive rebounding. Maryland will crash the glass hard-sometimes sending four guys-but that’s a gamble against a team like Michigan State.
The Spartans are not only a dominant rebounding team, they’re lethal in transition. If Maryland overcommits on the boards and doesn’t get back, they’re going to pay for it with highlight-reel dunks and momentum-swinging fast breaks.
Coen Carr, in particular, is built for these moments. If he gets a runway, it’s lights out. Maryland’s going to have to walk a fine line between being aggressive and being reckless.
Prediction
Maryland’s not going to shy away from the physicality. Even without Payne, they’ve got tough, athletic forwards like Solomon Washington and Elijah Saunders who won’t be intimidated by Michigan State’s frontcourt. But matching effort isn’t the same as matching execution.
Michigan State has the edge in just about every schematic category. Their defense is more disciplined, their offense more versatile, and their depth more reliable.
Still, if Coit gets hot and Maryland can keep the rebounding battle close, they’ve got a shot to keep this one competitive. Michigan State should win comfortably, but don’t be surprised if Maryland covers the number.