1. That was the ideal NCAA tournament opener for MSU
BUFFALO, N.Y. — If Michigan State is going to make a deep run in this NCAA tournament, there will be some nervous moments along the way. No way around it. The Spartans made sure Thursday’s opener against 14-seed North Dakota State wasn’t unnecessarily among them with a decisive 92-67 win in Buffalo.
A day after the 10-year anniversary of an NCAA tournament upset that will haunt MSU for eternity, the Spartans squashed whatever belief the Bison might have had early in Thursday’s game.
From MSU: A lot of really good possessions, a firm advantage on the glass (35-23) and not many missed coverages defensively. Jeremy Fears Jr. was in complete control, with eight assists in the first 15 minutes and nine by halftime. When he’s able orchestrate the game without having to be MSU’s primary scorer — or a scorer of any kind — the Spartans’ opponent is in trouble. North Dakota State was in trouble. Fears had taken two shots and MSU was up 20 at the half.
For a little while, it looked like Fears might slay another tough NCAA tournament memory for MSU — when Kansas State’s Markquis Nowell’s tallied a tournament-record 19 assists in a Sweet 16 win over the Spartans in 2023. Fears’ assists pace slowed in the second half. He finished with 11 in 32 minutes. Still, job done.
The Bison simply didn’t have a guard who could hurt MSU and didn’t have a matchup advantage anywhere. They’re a team that needed to find rhythm from beyond the arc. They were 2-for-15 on 3-point tries in those initial 20 minutes, when the game was decided, and 6-for-25 for the day. That helped the Spartans get out and run, with 11 points on the break in the first half. They had 26 assists on 33 made baskets, moving it well and quickly most of the game. They made 16 of 18 free throws. They hit 10 of 20 3s, including three from Kohler and two from Jordan Scott, both of whom need to shoot it well for MSU to live its dreams over the next few weeks.
This was the ideal tournament opener for the Spartans — a fairly sharp performance (sans a little sloppiness late), and a win without stress, on a day when the team at the top of their bracket, Duke, survived a scare from 16-seed Siena, and MSU’s next opponent, 6-seed Louisville, looked mighty vulnerable without their injured point guard in avoiding a second-half collapse against South Florida.
“I thought it was one of the more complete games we’ve had,” Tom Izzo said.
This is why you play all season for a favorable NCAA tournament seed — so that you don’t have to grind your way through four wins to get to the Final Four, but instead just three, so that you can get some good tournament vibes and confidence going before the athletes on the other team look just like you.
North Dakota State looked the part of a quality low mid-major team. MSU made them feel like it.
2. Carson Cooper again shows his improved offensive game
If two years ago you had told anyone that Carson Cooper would be the single-biggest matchup problem offensively for MSU’s opponent in an NCAA tournament game, they would not have believed you, Cooper included.
As Cooper was becoming a capable center defensively and on the glass in the middle of his MSU career, he talked about becoming someone who wasn’t a liability offensively. He’s well surpassed that. Cooper, who tied a career-high with 20 points Thursday, reached 20 for the second time this season, and had at least 14 points for the 12th time in 33 games.
The Bison had no answer for Cooper’s cutting to the basket and scoring around the rim. His first bucket, a short floater in the lane, got the Spartans going. From there, he was a sure-handed, rim-runner, hitting 7 of 9 shots and all six free throws, while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing three assists.
When he missed a jumper short in the second half, his coaches weren’t mad at the shot. Assistant coach Saddi Washington was telling him to let it fly without any doubt. They trust him. He’s a remarkable development story, his offense the latest piece of it.
3. Jordan Scott sees the ball go through the net
The most important six points in MSU’s win over North Dakota State on Thursday might have been Jordan Scott’s six points — both 3-pointers. He took five shots, three 3s. He short-armed his final look, a jumper from the free-throw line, which isn’t a great sign. But Scott is an essential part of whatever MSU is going to do this month. He’s got to be on the court, because of his length, IQ and consistency defensively.
So MSU needs him to be confident in his shot and making shots. And making two 3-pointers Thursday is no small deal. The Spartans are getting good minutes out of Kur Teng and Trey Fort right now — and that’s good stuff. But Scott is going to be a key if MSU is going to make a run.
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball beats North Dakota State in NCAA tourney: 3 quick takes