Michigan State Clings to Slim Lead at Halftime | First Half Recap

First Half Recap vs. Oakland

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a high-noon basketball game between the Spartans and the Golden Grizzlies.

Michigan State and Oakland met for the 24th time Saturday afternoon at a neutral site in Detroit, MI, inside Little Caesars Arena. The Spartans entered the matchup having won all 23 previous meetings, with both Tom Izzo and Greg Kampe on the sideline for every single one of them.

Adding to the holiday flair, both coaches donned their now-infamous Christmas sweaters — a tradition that began back in 2022.

A Physical, Scrappy Start

The Spartans and Golden Grizzlies traded blows early, setting the tone for what would be a gritty first half. Coming into the game, Michigan State ranked third nationally in rebound margin, while Oakland sat at 305th, a size discrepancy that figured to be a major storyline.

Oakland, however, wasn’t backing down.

Michigan State’s turnover issues immediately resurfaced. Three turnovers in four possessions allowed Oakland to jump out to a 9–6 lead just four minutes into the game. Oakland’s zone defense once again presented problems for the Spartans’ offense, something MSU has struggled with all season.

Just days earlier against Toledo, Michigan State turned the ball over 15 times compared to Toledo’s four, with Coen Carr alone matching Toledo’s team total. While the Spartans escaped that game comfortably, Oakland is a team that capitalizes on mistakes — especially in neutral-site games where they consistently play MSU tough. If Michigan State wanted an easy afternoon, the turnovers needed to stop.

Cold Shooting, Rising Pressure

Early on, a Spartan team that has shown real improvement from three-point range looked as cold as the weather outside. After Michigan State missed its fourth straight three, Oakland capped a 7–0 run to take a 12–6 lead — the largest of the game to that point.

Michigan State’s leading scorer, who posted a double-double in the first ten minutes against Toledo, finally broke the drought with MSU’s first three-pointer of the game. The relief was brief. Oakland answered immediately, forcing another turnover and converting it into points to extend the lead to 16–9.

The Spartans finally forced their first turnover of the game, and Kur Teng knocked down a three to pull MSU within two. On the following possession, Coen Carr continued his shooting struggles, missing two shots. Carr, who was receiving late first-round buzz in early mock drafts, has relied heavily on his athleticism and highlight-reel dunks. While Izzo has praised his work ethic and shooting development, the results over the last few games have been tough to ignore. A cold start here only added fuel to that narrative — a breakout shooting performance feels overdue.

Oakland Sets the Tone

Ten minutes into the half, Oakland had clearly been the better team. Michigan State had already committed six turnovers and trailed 20–18. It wasn’t the start the Spartans wanted — but it was exactly the start Oakland hoped for.

This was Oakland’s championship game. A first-ever win over Tom Izzo and Michigan State would shake Rochester Hills to its core. Michael Houge led the charge, scoring 11 of Oakland’s first 20 points.

Oakland’s tenacity defined the half. Despite being undersized, the Golden Grizzlies played bigger, stronger, and smarter, refusing to be intimidated.

Momentum Swings Late

With eight minutes remaining, Michigan State had a chance to reclaim the lead for the first time in over ten minutes, but Kur Teng’s shot went long. After a missed Oakland possession and a missed Kohler three, Teng got another opportunity — this time converting on a rebound and put-back to give MSU a 22–20 lead.

Freshman Jordan Scott followed by drilling a three, sparking an 11–2 Spartan run and a 25–20 advantage.

Predictably, the game swung right back. Oakland responded with a 9–2 run of its own to regain the lead at 29–28. The teams traded baskets, and with 3:30 remaining, Oakland held a slim 32–30 edge.

Oakland’s post traps gave Michigan State’s big men serious trouble, forcing MSU to beat them from the perimeter. That hasn’t happened consistently, and it’s a potential concern moving forward. If Michigan State’s bigs are neutralized, players like Carr, Fears, and the rotating two-guard spot must produce — otherwise this season could sour quickly.

A Strong Finish Before the Break

With 2:30 remaining, the game was tied for the sixth time at 34–34.

Then the nation’s best alley-oop team showed up. Jeremy Fears found Carson Cooper soaring through the lane, and Cooper threw it down to give MSU a 36–34 lead. Oakland answered with two free throws, tying the game for the seventh time.

Cooper wasn’t done. He finished a basket through contact and converted the free throw, sending Michigan State into halftime with a 39–36 lead.

Halftime Thoughts

Michigan State heads into the locker room clinging to a three-point advantage after a hard-fought first half. The Spartans must continue battling Oakland’s zone, push the ball through the middle, and get their bigs involved more effectively.

Equally important, the backcourt needs to take ownership and start knocking down shots. If Michigan State can clean up the turnovers and find consistency offensively, the second half should tilt in green and white’s favor — but Oakland has made it clear they aren’t going anywhere quietly.