EAST LANSING– The four captains for Michigan State men’s basketball combined for 56 points in the Spartans’ 84-56 victory over Detroit Mercy on Friday.
Despite the 28-point margin, it wasn’t the smoothest path to victory for the Spartans. Self-inflicted turnovers and defensive lapses left Spartans head coach Tom Izzo discontent after the win.
“I was disappointed, as you could imagine, I thought that Monty did a better job than I did,” Izzo said.
Detroit Mercy head coach Mark Montgomery was an assistant coach under Izzo for two different stints and had knowledge of the Spartans’ system that stifled a few of MSU’s actions.
The Titans did a good job of clogging passing lanes and made it difficult for the Spartans to get the ball inside the paint. MSU committed 12 turnovers and had plenty of empty possessions due to the active hands on the Detroit Mercy defense.
“They didn’t let the ball in the post as easy as we let it in the post, they did a good job of getting around them…because physically, they were tough, and usually we’re pretty tough but I thought physically we got punked today,” Izzo said.
Montgomery also took some credit for his involvement in the recruiting process of Spartans point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who had a career night against his former assistant coach.
Fears Jr., set a career-high with 18 points and the other veteran forwards reached double figures as well.
MSU started the game on a 10-0 run, with junior forward Coen Carr leading the way. Carr scored 11 first half points, as he was a perfect 3-3 from the field and knocked down two three-pointers.
Izzo liked what he saw from Carr, but believes there is still another step he can take.
“We need Coen to get 12 shots a game if you ask me, and we need him to get to the free throw line,” Izzo said.
Despite the stars for MSU having great games, the depth didn’t play up to par. The four captains shot 64 percent from the field while everyone else shot 26 percent from the field.
Late in the second half, Fears Jr. eclipsed 10 assists again, as he set up senior center Carson Cooper for a posterizing alley-oop that sent Izzone into a frenzy. The and-1 also marked the game was out of reach for a Titans’ comeback, which meant Izzo emptied the bench to allow the reserves to get some shine.
“That’s our goal in these games, we want to get them in a spot where they can come in with two to three minutes left and play,” Cooper said.
Junior guard Nick Sanders made a three-pointer to seal the win for Michigan State, with his teammates cheering him on from the bench.
The Spartans have a few days off before healing south for Feast Week. The next game will be against Eastern Carolina in the Fort Myers Tip-off on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m.
