2nd Straight Loss Sends Spartans into Another Steep Test
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What was supposed to be a bounce-back game against Minnesota quickly turned into a nightmare, as Michigan State suffered its second straight loss.
Throughout the first half, the Spartans looked out of sorts, struggling to find any rhythm on offense while also failing to get consistent stops on defense.
Star guard Jeremy Fears had a difficult night against the Golden Gophers and was benched for part of the second half, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field. However, the biggest storyline surrounding Fears wasn’t his performance — it was a flagrant foul that led to criticism and accusations labeling him as a dirty player.
While Michigan head coach Dusty May commented on the incident, Tom Izzo addressed the situation after the game, offering both support and accountability.
“Jeremy’s gotta grow up a little bit,” Izzo said.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Michigan State.
Jordan Scott made the first start of his career and delivered a strong performance, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Coen Carr also had a solid night, leading the Spartans with 16 points, while Trey Fort provided a spark off the bench, knocking down big shots in the final minutes to give Michigan State a chance late.
Ultimately, Minnesota held on for a 76–73 victory, improving to 11–12 overall and 4–8 in Big Ten play.
Now, Michigan State faces an even tougher challenge, as the Spartans prepare to take on a red-hot Illinois team ranked fifth in the nation and coming off a dominant 40-point win over Northwestern.
Scouting Illinois
Illinois has been one of the top teams in the country this season, boasting impressive wins over Texas Tech, Tennessee, Iowa, Purdue, and Nebraska.
Even without star guard Kylan Boswell, the Illini have continued to roll thanks in large part to the breakout play of freshman guard Keaton Wagler.
Wagler has emerged as one of the biggest surprises in college basketball this season. A former three-star recruit out of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas, Wagler is now leading Illinois in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and an impressive 44% from three-point range.
Illinois also features California transfer Andrej Stojakovic, who is averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 49% from the field, giving the Illini another reliable scoring option with Boswell injured.
After another frustrating loss, Michigan State now finds itself searching for answers as the competition only gets tougher. While performances from Jordan Scott, Coen Carr, and Trey Fort provided encouraging signs, the Spartans will need more consistency — especially from their leaders — to compete with elite teams. With a top-five Illinois squad looming, Michigan State must quickly regroup if it hopes to avoid a third straight defeat and get its season back on track.
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Luke Joseph is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of sports and commitment to storytelling, he serves as a general sports reporter On SI, covering the NFL and college athletics with insight and expertise.