FRESHMAN THOUGHTS: Michigan State Freshmen Takeaways From UConn Exhibition

Michigan State’s exhibition against UConn offered the Spartans’ freshmen an early opportunity to experience the physicality and defensive pressure of high-level college basketball. For Jasiah Jervis, Ethan Taylor, and **Carlos Medlock Jr.**, the game presented different challenges, but each left with a clearer idea of what needs to improve as the season approaches.

The Spartans struggled to establish a consistent offensive rhythm against UConn, while coach Tom Izzo pointed to physicality, rebounding, lineup combinations, and execution as areas requiring attention. Despite the disappointing result, Izzo viewed the matchup as a valuable test for a team still working to determine how its pieces fit together.

“This was the best game we could have played in the country,” Izzo said. “This was the best exhibition game we could play.”

For MSU’s freshmen, the experience was an opportunity to measure themselves against a high-level opponent and begin translating their work in practice to game situations.

Jasiah Jervis: Confidence grows as he looks to become a two-way contributor

Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett/Spartans Illustrated

Jervis found opportunities to build confidence offensively against UConn, including knocking down multiple 3-pointers. But the freshman also left the exhibition focused on the physicality and defensive awareness required to contribute consistently.

Asked what he would take away from the game, Jervis emphasized the need to become more physical. He also discussed the confidence he gained from making shots in front of MSU’s home crowd.

“Yeah, I feel like it just raises my confidence,” Jervis said. “Even though I’m confident in myself to knock those threes down, you know, be ready for (Jeremy) Fears’ passes.”

For Jervis, the experience was about more than shooting. He also identified rebounding, free throws, and defensive awareness as areas where he wants to improve.

“You know, crash the boards. I feel like I did a pretty decent job at that. I want to do that a little bit more. And free throws. I feel like we should have made a lot more free throws,” Jervis said. “So I think we should do a better job at that. You know, just being aware of defense. You know what I’m saying? I got backdoored a couple times, so I just got to fix that for the next game.”

Izzo echoed the importance of Jervis continuing to develop defensively while finding ways to contribute on offense. The coach said Jervis had performed well in practice and stressed that the freshman should continue getting opportunities to shoot.

“Jasiah is the one that I thought, you know, we got to keep getting shots for,” Izzo said.

Izzo acknowledged that Jervis made some defensive mistakes but added that such errors are part of the learning process for freshmen. He was pleased with the young players’ overall effort and saw room for continued development.

Jervis also discussed what he learned from Gary Harris, who spoke with him before the game. Izzo, who has previously compared Jervis’ potential to Harris’, arranged the meeting between the freshman and the former MSU and NBA standout.

Jervis said the conversation gave him valuable advice about the details that make a difference on both ends of the floor.

“He just tells me, you know, just do the little things. You should be a dog on the defensive end, you know, show that offensive ability,” Jervis said.

The combination of shooting confidence, defensive growth, and lessons from a former Spartan gives Jervis several areas to build on as he adjusts to college basketball.

As the season progresses, MSU will need not only Jervis’ scoring ability but also his defensive talent. If the freshman becomes a true two-way threat, it would go a long way toward helping the Spartans reach their full potential this season.