Since a bevy of PAC-12 teams joined the Big Ten a few years ago, the concept of a West Coast road trip was introduced to conference play, with Big Ten teams having to spend extended stretches out West for multiple games in a row. It’s not an easy feat for college students to pull off, but Michigan State basketball handled the first leg of their trip with relative ease on Saturday, taking down Washington 80-63.
Below, you can see our takeaways from the win.
1. Jeremy Fears offensive explosion continues
In December, Jeremy Fears Jr. had three games where he failed to score double-digits, including a 2-point game against Oakland. Those days feel far, far behind us, as Fears has been on an absolute tear since the Cornell game back on Dec. 29. On Saturday against Washington, Fears dominated the Huskies, scoring 19 points and adding five assists and three steals. It feels like Fears can get to both the rim and the free-throw line at will. Fears is starting to emerge as an All-American level player this year. With how feisty the Spartans’ defense has been, if Fears can keep the offense going in this way, they will be extremely dangerous moving forward.
2. Cam Ward’s breakout feels like it’s coming
Six points, seven rebounds, and a block. That was the stat line for MSU freshman Cam Ward on Saturday. He was swarming the ball, rebounding like a grown man, and even hit a nice mid-range turnaround at one point. Tom Izzo has said repeatedly this year that he feels like Cam Ward’s breakout is inevitable. I suspect we are getting pretty close now.
3. MSU will need to resolve shooting guard spot before March
Starting Divine Ugochukwu at shooting guard has been an inspired move by Tom Izzo this year, but it shouldn’t be the long-term answer. Using Divine in that role leaves a gap at backup point guard, a spot that is currently being filled by Denham Wojcik. Wojcik probably had his best game of the season on Saturday, but he was always meant to be a reserve, and I don’t think Izzo wants to have to use him in the postseason. Eventually, one of Kur Teng, Trey Fort, or Jordan Scott is going to have to seize control of that starting spot. There’s not a lot of urgency, which is great, but it will need to be addressed before the NCAA Tournament.
Right now, it looks like Kur Teng and Jordan Scott look to be in the lead, although Izzo does seem to like to use Scott to backup Coen Carr at small forward. Kur Teng has been impressive on offense lately, but his defense still isn’t quite in a place where you’d feel comfortable starting him every game.
It’s not flashy, but the shooting guard spot is probably the biggest story to watch as the season unfolds for MSU.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Three takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over Washington
