Why MSU’s Jaxon Kohler Has Unique Anticipation for Michigan
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EAST LANSING, Mich. --- Jaxon Kohler has been in this position before.
He's spent all four seasons of his collegiate career at Michigan State and remained loyal. At MSU, no opponent carries more meaning than Michigan. Friday night will be Kohler's seventh career game against the Wolverines, and the fourth and final game he'll face UM at the Breslin Center.
"In preparation for a game like this, the mentality changes a little bit," Kohler said after practice Wednesday. "Because this is, obviously, a very big game. They're a really good team, and we're a really good team, too.
"It's one of those things where we --- us captains --- we have to set the tone for the new guys. Those guys who don't know what it's like to be in this type of situation with this type of team. We have to put our steps forward first and show them how much energy it takes and what kind of focus and what kind of discipline it takes preparing for a game like this."
Kohler's Career vs. Michigan
Kohler is almost certainly going to leave East Lansing with a winning record over Michigan. Currently holding a 5-1 career record, the only way UM could level the score is by sweeping the regular season series, winning again in the Big Ten Tournament, and then again in the NCAA Tournament. Odds of that are... low.
Still, Kohler wants to end his career against his arch-rival on a high note. This is the year where he's one of the true leaders of the Spartans, and he doesn't want to have that year come with losses to Michigan that blemish the entire season.
This is also the most important game against the Wolverines Kohler will have participated in during his career. There's still a chance the March 8 meeting in Ann Arbor, also the regular season finale, is even crazier, but the No. 3 vs. No. 7 matchup is the lowest combined ranking in series history.
"Honestly, this is one of those games that we've known for before our schedule even came out," Kohler said about the anticipation for this matchup. "This is, obviously, a game that we both look forward to."
Just listening to Kohler talk, it seemed clear he was a little more locked in than usual. Normally, Kohler is one of the players who smiles more and likes to have a good time during interviews to an extent. He was stone-faced on Wednesday, though. It seemed like he had turned the gear from 10 to 11 or 12. There was no pretending that this is just another game around here.
It's bound to be a good one. The winner of the game takes a front seat in the race for a Big Ten title, and the Breslin Center is bound to be as loud as ever. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
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A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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