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The No. 12 Spartans secured a dominant 80-51 victory against USC at the Breslin Center, quickly bouncing back from their initial Big Ten loss of the season. This win also marked a significant milestone for Coach Tom Izzo, achieving his 750th career victory.
Michigan State, ranked No. 12, swiftly recovered from their recent two-point loss at Nebraska by delivering an overwhelming 80-51 defeat to USC. This victory, played at the Breslin Center, was particularly noteworthy as it marked the 750th career win for head coach Tom Izzo, showcasing the team's ability to rebound strongly from setbacks.
Several key players stepped up for Michigan State. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler delivered another impressive performance, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds, flawlessly making all six of his field goals, including three from beyond the arc. Coen Carr contributed significantly with 18 points, 14 of which came in the second half, while Jeremy Fears was instrumental with 15 points and seven assists. The team's collective effort was evident, with their bench outscoring USC's 21-9 and converting 17 USC turnovers into 16 points.
The No. 24 ranked USC Trojans had a tough week in Michigan, enduring a disastrous road trip. Their visit started with a 30-point loss in Ann Arbor on Friday night, followed by the significant defeat against Michigan State. USC's leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, who averaged 20.4 points per game, was limited to just four points in 18 minutes off the bench, highlighting the Spartans' defensive strength.
Despite falling behind 5-0 early in the game, Michigan State quickly regained control with a decisive 10-0 run, holding USC scoreless for over six minutes. The Spartans rapidly built a double-digit lead, with back-to-back jumpers from Fears and consecutive triples from Kohler contributing to a 27-11 advantage. They maintained their dominance, heading into halftime with a commanding 33-17 lead, as USC struggled with a mere 21.4 percent shooting from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
Michigan State continued its strong play in the second half, extending their lead to 25 points. A highlight included Coen Carr's impressive two-handed dunk over two USC players, drawing a foul. The game also featured an unusual moment when former Spartan standout Paul Davis was ejected from his courtside seat during 'Izzone alumni night' with six minutes remaining, adding a touch of unexpected drama to the rout.
Michigan State is scheduled to continue its three-game homestand by hosting Northwestern on Thursday, January 8th, at 6:30 p.m. on BTN. Northwestern (8-6, 0-3 Big Ten) is currently on a cold streak, having lost five of their last eight games, including an 84-78 defeat at home against Minnesota.