Michigan State rolls past Incarnate Word 89-59 in exhibition, showing depth, shooting and potential

Michigan State’s first exhibition of the season provided exactly what Tom Izzo hoped it would, a chance to evaluate a deep roster, experiment with lineups and identify areas that still need work before the games start counting.

The Spartans defeated Incarnate Word 89-59 Friday night at Breslin Center, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from three-point range while recording 25 assists on 34 made baskets. Michigan State also forced 21 turnovers and turned those mistakes into 36 points. 

Despite the comfortable 30-point victory, Izzo's postgame assessment focused less on the final score and more on the growth of his roster.

“I was pleased with most of the game,” Izzo said. “I told you some guys that have gotten better. I said Jordan Scott has gotten better. I said that Jesse [McCulloch] has gotten a lot better, and Jeremy.”

Michigan State led for more than 39 minutes and built a lead as large as 33 points. But in an exhibition, those stats aren’t as meaningful as individual developments after an offseason of work.

McCulloch's showcasing why sticking around pays off.

Perhaps no player embodied the offseason development Izzo has been praising more than Jesse McCulloch.

The sophomore forward finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding five rebounds in just 21 minutes. He also knocked down two of his three attempts from beyond the arc. 

Izzo was quick to point out that McCulloch's performance was the product of months of work that few outside the program saw.

“That kid, when everybody went home this summer in May, he stayed here for all but two days of it,” Izzo said. “He lifted. He shot. He probably worked harder than anybody I have on my team this summer.”

Izzo called McCulloch a prime example of how hard work translates into improvement and suggested Spartan fans should take notice.

“Jesse McCulloch is one of the things that our fans better start appreciating about our program,” Izzo said, “Because I got a guy that nobody thought that much of.”

McCulloch's emergence could prove especially valuable as Michigan State continues to sort out its frontcourt rotation.

Fears continues to run the show

While McCulloch led the team in scoring, point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. controlled the game.

The preseason All-American finished with 10 points, 13 assists and six steals. Izzo pointed to one play in particular as his favorite moment of the night.