If Tom Izzo was looking for a tune-up, he got a wake-up call instead.
Jaxon Kohler scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds on Monday night to lead No. 22 Michigan State to an 80-69 victory over Colgate, but the Hall of Fame coach left the floor far from satisfied.
Despite the double-digit margin, Izzo made it clear afterward that his team’s performance wouldn’t cut it when the competition ramps up — and it ramps up fast with a matchup against No. 14 Arkansas on Saturday (7 p.m. ET on FOX).
“I didn’t think we played very well,” Izzo said bluntly. “A lot of work to do or we’re going to get our ass embarrassed on Saturday, and maybe that’s good to have that pressure on us.”
Michigan State struggled for much of the game to find an offensive rhythm. The Spartans, who won the Big Ten regular season title last year, had to replace three starters and four letter-winners who accounted for 63.5% of the team’s scoring.
Colgate kept things close in the first half and tied the game twice in the second before the Spartans finally pulled away. With the score knotted at 41 early in the half, forward Coen Carr sparked a 21–6 run with six quick points that broke the game open.
Redshirt sophomore point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. added 14 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals in the win, earning high praise from Izzo afterward.
“Jeremy Fears, I said, is a version of Mateen Cleaves,” Izzo said. “He’s not there yet, but when the head goes, the body usually follows.
“I thought Jeremy, in that second half, did everything I asked to do and more. Those stats are unbelievable. … I thought he did a hell of a job.”
Even with the win, Michigan State looked uneven at times. Ten turnovers, a few defensive breakdowns, and missed assignments gave Izzo plenty of teaching material before Saturday’s heavyweight clash against the Razorbacks, who opened their season with a resounding 109–77 rout of Southern.
That matchup promises to be one of the weekend’s marquee games — a meeting not just between ranked programs, but between two of college basketball’s most recognizable coaches. It will mark the sixth all-time meeting between Izzo and Arkansas head coach John Calipari, with Izzo holding a 3–2 edge in their head-to-head record.
The Spartans have also won both previous games against Arkansas, though both came on neutral floors. Saturday’s matchup will mark the first time the Razorbacks visit the Breslin Center, and if Izzo gets his way, his team will look a lot sharper by then.
Because in November, an ugly win might be acceptable. But by Saturday night, it won’t be.
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