Spartans Roll: Michigan State Dominates North Dakota State 92–67 to Open NCAA Tournament

Tom Izzo entered his 28th straight NCAA Tournament, and his Spartans wasted no time making a statement—handling business with a commanding 92–67 win over North Dakota State.

Michigan State now turns its attention to Saturday’s matchup against the Louisville Cardinals, who took care of a South Florida squad that many believed could pull off a classic 6-vs-11 upset. Despite not having Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville advanced—and now earns the challenge of facing the Spartans.

The game began in familiar fashion: a sluggish Michigan State start paired with intense defensive pressure and early energy from North Dakota State. But by the midpoint of the first half, things settled in. The Spartans found their rhythm, took control, and never looked back.

Early on, it was a story of the big men. Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler combined for 13 of Michigan State’s first 21 points. While the Bison locked down the perimeter, they had no answer inside. After a slow start, the Spartans’ frontcourt asserted itself as the most dominant force on the floor—along with Jeremy Fears Jr., who looked like a younger version of Steve Nash running the offense.

Fears continues to prove he can beat teams in a variety of ways, and in this one, he embraced the role of facilitator. He recorded nine assists in the first half and finished with 11 total. Entering the game with 294 assists on the season, Fears had already surpassed Cassius Winston (291) for the program’s single-season record—and he kept adding to it.

Now sitting at 305 assists, Fears ranks third all-time in Big Ten history, chasing Braden Smith’s marks of 313 (2024–25 season) and 317 (current season and counting). Fears added seven points and two rebounds to go along with his playmaking performance.

North Dakota State came out aggressive, playing suffocating, high-energy defense early. Their game plan was clear: don’t let Michigan State breathe. It worked—briefly—forcing early turnovers and disrupting rhythm. They looked like the fast-moving infected from 28 Days Later, swarming every Spartan in sight.

But there was one problem: they couldn’t score consistently enough to keep up.

Once Michigan State knocked down a few threes and built an early double-digit lead, the game quickly slipped away from the Bison.

Carson Cooper, who looked slightly overwhelmed early, quickly found his groove and became a steady force offensively. Whether it was Fears dropping perfectly timed lobs or Cooper taking defenders off the dribble himself, he made his presence felt. He tallied 14 first-half points and never slowed down, finishing with a team-high 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, along with 10 rebounds to secure a dominant double-double.

Jaxon Kohler made his impact felt from beyond the arc, knocking down two big threes in the first half. The Bison’s tight defense eventually created open looks, and Kohler capitalized. He also brought physicality on the glass, finishing with nine rebounds and 12 points, shooting 3-of-6 from deep.

Coen Carr delivered highlight after highlight, throwing down multiple explosive dunks that somehow continue to look routine for him. Even with the game well in hand late, Carr was still diving for loose balls and giving maximum effort. He finished with 17 points in an electric performance.

The bench played a key role from start to finish.

Cam Ward entered the game like a burst of energy, immediately injecting life into the team during a sluggish stretch. He showcased his strength and agility with smooth crossovers, strong finishes, and impactful defense—highlighted by blocks and rebounds. Broadcaster Jason Benetti called it a “Cam Ward fest,” and that felt accurate early on.

Ward scored eight points in the first half and continued his impact in the second, helping stop a brief lull when the Bison trimmed the deficit slightly. His energy helped reset the tone. He finished with a bench-high 13 points, continuing to build confidence after an earlier-season setback. His spark off the bench could prove vital as the tournament progresses.

Trey Fort, who saw increased minutes in the Big Ten Tournament loss to UCLA Bruins, appears to be carving out a bigger role. He made an early impact with a key rebound and a four-point play that helped push the Spartans’ lead. Fort finished with seven points.

Denham Wojcik—who had just 13 total points on the season entering the game—also got in on the action, scoring on a strong drive and a confident bank shot from the top of the key.

Overall, Michigan State handled North Dakota State with ease, and the numbers backed it up:

The Spartans now shift their focus to Louisville—with a trip to the next round on the line.