From start to finish, Michigan State was out-toughed against Michigan. Tom Izzo had probably the worst birthday he’s experienced in a while, watching as his normally-tough Spartans were out-played for most of Friday’s game in East Lansing.
It’s one thing to lose, but it’s another thing to lose and look like you didn’t even show up. Michigan State was punked from start to finish, outside of a couple of guys who really stood out.
Jeremy Fears was obviously the Spartans’ best player, scoring 31 points with seven assists on 9-of-20 shooting, but there was another Michigan State player who stood out: Jordan Scott.
The freshman forward, who could play the two-guard spot, played with energy and earned 26 minutes off the bench. He even got the start in the second half because Izzo liked what he saw from Scott over what he was seeing from Divine Ugochukwu and Kur Teng. He hinted at a potential change after Friday’s loss to the Wolverines, saying he’s close to doing something he’s wanted to do for weeks.
"There are some things I've wanted to do for a couple of weeks now because I saw some things coming and we'll do that now," Izzo says.
— Spartans Illustrated (@Spartans_Illo) January 31, 2026
Izzo might be referring to starting Jordan Scott, as he did in the second half.
I don’t know what else that could be, and Spartans Illustrated was correct to assume that it means a lineup change, especially given how much better Scott looked than Teng and Ugochukwu — and how the minutes were distributed on Friday night.
Scott played 26 minutes, Teng played 12, and Ugochukwu matched him with 12 minutes, too. It was clear who Izzo saw as the best option at the two.
Change is probably necessary.
Michigan State needs more Jordan Scott
Scott has been playing some really good basketball lately, and he was one of two guys who looked locked in and left everything on the floor on Friday night. That type of energy is nice coming off the bench, but I feel like Izzo knows he’s best suited in the starting lineup.
Ugochukwu has been playing OK lately, but he’s not providing enough offensively to justify him as a starting two guard. He could slide back into that backup point guard role, and I think the team would benefit greatly from the move. Scott would inject energy, hustle, and more offense into the starting lineup, and Ugochukwu can go back to his backup role at the one where he was comfortable.
Something needs to change after the last couple of really bad offensive games in the half court, and I think that means playing Scott more — and starting him.