Michigan State’s Late Push Comes Up Short Against UCLA, 88–84

Fail forward.

Michigan State Spartans men's basketball fell short in their Big Ten Tournament opener against UCLA, losing 88–84 in a gritty battle that saw tough Bruin defense and poorly timed missed shots lead to an early exit for MSU.

The Spartans missed more than 10 layups on the night, and it was brutal to watch. Those missed opportunities dug a first-half hole that proved too big to crawl out of.

UCLA’s early defense was like a death grip.

If you read my “How to Watch” article, you’d know the Spartans won their first meeting by more than 20 points behind 14 made three-pointers—almost double their per-game average. Because of that, we knew UCLA wouldn’t allow easy looks this time around. This game was always going to be a brawl for all 40 minutes.

In the previous matchup, the Spartans’ three-point shooting came out blazing, hitting eight in the first half. This time we were in the bizarro world, and it was UCLA finishing 7-of-13 from three in the first half.

It wasn't all UCLA.

Coen Carr kicked off the game by elevating the tired United Center crowd, who had endured three games leading up to the late-night finale. Carr erupted with a behind-the-back alley-oop from Jeremy Fears Jr., igniting the arena like a wick meeting dynamite.

Early in the game, when the Bruins’ flame was still burning bright from their win the night before, the Spartans needed a surge of energy. That spark came from the 6-foot-8 freshman.

Jordan Scott drained a three from the top of the arc after the ball worked its way around the perimeter. Scott drilled it while being fouled and finished the four-point play, giving a jolt of life to what had been a sluggish Spartan start.

But it just wasn’t enough to pull ahead.

At one point the Spartans found themselves in a 10-point hole—nothing new for this MSU team, which has dug first-half deficits in what feels like every game this season.

The Spartans looked like they were doing everything possible to escape the undertow and get their heads above water. Yet every time it seemed like they might reach the shore, the undertow dragged them back into the deep where they could barely tread water.

UCLA hit five of its first 10 three-point attempts before forward Tyler Bilodeau went down with a knee injury. At that point, the Spartans trailed 35–23, struggling to find a rhythm against the Bruins’ relentless defense.

The first half ended with Michigan State trailing 44–33.

The Spartans had trailed by double digits at halftime in three games this season—and were 0–3 in those contests. However, on the flip side, MSU had seven second-half comeback wins, the most in the Big Ten.

So the question was simple: could they pull off another one?

No. They could not.

The second half didn’t start much better.

Michigan State couldn’t gain control and couldn’t consistently chip away at the lead. Just when it felt like the Spartans might claw within striking distance—my personal benchmark being within 10 points by the 10-minute mark of the second half—the Bruins had an answer for everything MSU threw at them.

Then suddenly, through the hands of “the other guys,” the Spartans surged.

Trey Fort and Kur Teng helped ignite a run that pulled MSU within five, 66–61 with 9:30 remaining.

But UCLA answered immediately.

A three-pointer, followed by a big block on Fort and a transition bucket on the other end, pushed the lead right back to 10.

Every time the Spartans crept closer, the Bruins responded in the blink of an eye.

With under six minutes left, Michigan State began forcing three-point attempts. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Lady Luck seemed to be holding a grudge. Shot after shot refused to fall.

Jordan Scott finally connected on a much-needed three with four minutes remaining, pulling the Spartans within three and keeping hope alive for Spartan fans everywhere.

A strong defensive stand gave MSU a chance to close the gap even further, but a costly turnover continued the Spartans’ struggles.

Michigan State was able to cut the deficit to 75–71 with 2:34 remaining, but that was as close as it would get. Trey Fort turned the ball over on a possession that could have made it a one-possession game.

Still, the Spartans refused to go quietly.

After a missed Bruins free throw, Kur Teng got a friendly roll—finally—and suddenly MSU was within two points. But Jordan Scott made a freshman mistake by fouling early with time to spare, giving UCLA a chance to stretch the lead back to four.

Jeremy Fears Jr. answered with two free throws of his own, cutting the deficit to 82–80 with 32 seconds remaining.

Michigan State never got the chance to tie it.

UCLA closed the door at the free-throw line, and just like that the Spartans’ Big Ten Tournament hopes were gone almost as soon as they began.

The Spartans’ post-COVID Big Ten Tournament losing streak continues.

But the broader picture remains interesting: no Big Ten team has won the NCAA Tournament since Michigan State in 2000.

Maybe playing three or four straight days in the conference tournament simply drains teams before the real tournament begins. Maybe an early exit helps preserve energy for the games that matter most.

At least that’s what I’ll tell myself to help me sleep tonight.

Spartans lose.