Michigan State Basketball: Fears’ 17 Assists Lead Blowout Win Over Maryland

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Michigan State Dominates Maryland,91-48,Fueled by Fears Jr.’s Historic Performance

Michigan State delivered a commanding performance Saturday afternoon, defeating Maryland 91-48 at the Breslin Centre. The victory,propelled by a career-high 17 assists from redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr.,marked the Spartans’ sixth consecutive win and improved their record to 18-2 overall and 8-1 in the Big ten Conference.

Fears Jr. Achieves Program Milestone

Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the Spartan offence with remarkable precision, scoring a game-high 17 points to go along with his 17 assists. This performance not only secured his fifth double-double of the season but also tied him for the second-moast assists in a single game in Michigan State history. Only Mateen Cleaves, with 20 assists against Michigan on March 4, 2000, holds a higher single-game total. “He was amazing out there, just finding open teammates and making the right reads,” a senior official stated.

did you know?-Tom Izzo is now 17-8 all-time against Maryland, showcasing his consistent success against the Terrapins throughout his tenure at Michigan State.

Spartans Control the Game From the Tip

Michigan State established control from the opening tip, building a 23-point lead by halftime (46-23). A swift start saw the Spartans jump out to a 24-4 advantage just over eight minutes into the game, fueled by a three-pointer from freshman forward Jordan Scott. The Spartans effectively stifled the Maryland offense, holding them scoreless for stretches exceeding six minutes during the first half. Despite a brief Maryland rally, sparked by a 14-6 run, Michigan State responded with an 11-0 burst to extend their lead.

The second half saw continued dominance from the Spartans. A 14-4 run early in the half pushed the lead to 64-34, and a dunk from freshman forward Cam Ward, assisted by Fears Jr.’s 15th assist of the game, extended the advantage past 40 points. A late jumper from graduate guard Denham Wojcik sealed the victory, establishing the Spartans’ largest lead of the game at 43 points (91-48).

pro tip-Efficient ball movement was key for MSU, recording 25 assists on 34 field goals, resulting in a 73.5% assist rate.

Balanced Scoring and Dominant Rebounding

Four spartans scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive attack. Senior center Carson cooper contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while junior forward Coen Carr added 14 points and three rebounds. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler chipped in with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Michigan State’s dominance extended beyond scoring, as they held a 35-24 rebounding advantage and outscored Maryland 38-24 in the paint. The Spartans also demonstrated exceptional ball movement, recording 25 assists on 34 made field goals – a 73.5% assist rate. Notably, MSU generated 31 points from fast breaks while holding Maryland to zero.

Reader question-What adjustments do you think Maryland needs to make to compete with MSU’s pace and ball movement in future matchups?

Izzo’s Legacy Continues

The victory further solidifies the extraordinary record of Head Coach Tom Izzo, now at 755-304 in his 31st year leading the MSU program. Izzo boasts a 17-8 all-time record against Maryland and a remarkable 423-62 record at the Breslin Center. Michigan State’s home record now stands at 1