Spartans ignited from deep and stifled UCLA, unleashing an 18-0 run to reclaim their dominant identity in a commanding performance.
Michigan State reminded everyone exactly who they are Wednesday night.
In a dominant 82-59 win over the UCLA Bruins at the Breslin Center, the Spartans controlled every facet of the game — shooting, rebounding, defense, tempo — and delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.
There was a little extra nostalgia in the building as Steve Mariucci attended in support of his longtime friend Tom Izzo and Michigan State alum Jaden Akins was also in attendance. They — along with the Breslin crowd — witnessed a game that felt like vintage Michigan State basketball.
From the opening tip, the Spartans looked determined to flip the script on their recent struggles.
Jaxon Kohler wasted no time asserting himself, scoring seven points in the first seven minutes and establishing physical dominance inside. He continued to punish UCLA on the glass, overpowering defenders who struggled to box him out and often resorted to fouling.
Michigan State stretched the floor early and often. The Spartans buried eight three-pointers in the first half alone — their best long-range shooting start of the season — moving the ball crisply and shooting with confidence.
Jeremy Fears entered the night just 1-for-10 from deep over his previous ten attempts but looked like a completely different player. He knocked down multiple triples early, finishing the half with 11 points and five assists while dictating the tempo.
Meanwhile, former Spartan Xavier Booker returned to East Lansing in opposing colors, but it was Michigan State that controlled the narrative. An early 15-point lead ballooned after Trey Fort buried a three following a near highlight-reel alley-oop attempt from Fears to Carr. Even when the spectacular didn’t connect, the Spartans capitalized.
For the first time in weeks, Michigan State looked fully prepared from the opening possession. The offense flowed through multiple players. The energy never dipped.
Jordan Scott, averaging 11.5 points over his last four games, stayed hot as a starter, opening 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and finishing the half with nine points. Carson Cooper matched him with nine of his own.
UCLA never found rhythm. At one point, the Bruins went more than eight minutes without scoring — stuck at 12 points from the 13-minute mark to the five-minute mark of the first half. During that stretch, Michigan State unleashed an 18-0 run that broke the game wide open.
That defensive intensity was especially notable considering recent trends. Michigan State had allowed 75 or more points in five games — tying a record in the Izzo era. But against UCLA, the Spartans defended with urgency, physicality, and discipline from the jump.
By halftime, they held a commanding 43-23 lead.
If the first half was a statement, the second half was confirmation.
Fears picked up right where he left off, draining his fourth three-pointer — a career high — just minutes into the half. He finished with 16 points and 10 assists, marking his fourth straight game with double-digit assists. Over his last four games, Fears has totaled 48 assists. For perspective, he had 10 by himself Wednesday night — UCLA finished with 11 as a team.
Jordan Scott recorded his fifth straight game in double figures, finishing with 11 points and continuing his steady rise. The sophomore’s consistency has become one of the most important developments for this team.
At one point in the second half, the stat sheet perfectly illustrated the balance: Michigan State had 10 made two-point field goals and 11 made three-point field goals. The offense was diversified, efficient, and unselfish.
Carr delivered one of his signature dunks that brought the Breslin Center to its feet, but his impact went far beyond the highlight. He was relentless on the boards, active defensively with multiple blocks, and showcased a smooth touch around the rim. Carr finished with 16 points, providing energy and physicality throughout.
The Spartans pushed the lead to as many as 31 points and never allowed UCLA to generate momentum. Michigan State finished with a season-high 14 made three-pointers and won the rebounding battle 37-27.
There was also a classy moment midway through the half when the crowd erupted into a “We Love Booker” chant in support of Xavier Booker. The respect for the former Spartan was evident.
Late in the game, frustration boiled over for UCLA following a hard foul on Carson Cooper during a breakaway opportunity. Tempers briefly flared before head coach Mick Cronin stepped in to defuse the situation.
In the end, four Spartans finished in double figures — Fears (16), Carr (16), Cooper (12), and Scott (11) — highlighting the balanced attack that defined the night.
From start to finish, this was complete team basketball: efficient offense, suffocating defense, dominant rebounding, and collective effort across the board.
If this version of Michigan State shows up consistently, the ceiling changes.
And if the offense continues to stretch the floor the way it did Wednesday night, the Spartans may be turning a corner at exactly the right time.