EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State led by 28 at halftime, and Tom Izzo still wanted more from Jeremy Fears. The Spartans had held Quinnipiac to 24 points, and Fears was on his way to an 11-assist night. Izzo wanted to see his point guard take more control on defense.
When Fears picked up his defense in the second half, Izzo saw his teammates raise their level with him. In a game Michigan State led from its first basket, that was one of the things Izzo was watching. He knows what Fears can do with the ball. He wants the Spartans to take their cues from him when the other team has it, too.
Michigan State’s 96–59 win Monday night at the Breslin Center also gave Izzo a better look at the players he’ll rely on around Fears. After three exhibitions against Incarnate Word, UConn, and Marquette, the Spartans got a promising stretch from a freshman point guard, double-digit scoring from two players working their way back from injuries, and a double-double from a center whose ball-screen defense drew praise from his coach.
