Michigan State Blitzes Toledo Early, Leaves Izzo Wanting More in 92–69 Win
Tuesday evening started the way a lot of winter nights do around here — slowly.
I had a pot of pasta sauce simmering on the stove, and when I get into making sauce, I go slow. I was under the impression Michigan State and Toledo were tipping off at 7:00 p.m., so there was no rush. Plenty of time to let things develop.
Turns out, the Spartans didn’t feel the same way.
By the time I wiped my hands and glanced at the TV, Michigan State was already in full control — and Jaxon Kohler was cooking faster than anything on my stovetop. The senior forward poured in 14 of his 16 points in the first half, overwhelming Toledo inside and setting a tone that made the rest of the night feel academic.
Michigan State raced out to a massive early lead, and before the second half could even settle in, Kohler was turning the game over to the bench — a clear indicator of just how decisive the opening 20 minutes had been.
Stat Capsule 🏀
🔢 Game Leaders
- Jaxon Kohler: 16 points, 13 rebounds
- Jeremy Fears Jr.: 15 points, 8 assists
- Kur Teng: 14 points
- Coen Carr: 14 points
📊 Team Control
- Rebounds: MSU 54 | Toledo 24
- Fast-Break Points: MSU 36 | Toledo 16
- Field Goal %: MSU over 50%
⚠️ Areas to Clean Up
- Turnovers: 15 (9 in second half)
- Layups: 15-for-22
Final Score: Michigan State 92, Toledo 69
Next Game: vs. Oakland | Saturday, Dec. 20 | Little Caesars Arena
The Jaxon Kohler Show
If you’ve been waiting for Jaxon Kohler to fully impose his will on a game, this was it.
Kohler finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording his sixth double-double of the season, but the damage was done early. He controlled the paint, cleaned the glass relentlessly, and helped Michigan State establish a staggering 54–24 rebounding advantage that Toledo never recovered from.
That physical dominance created margin — and margin created opportunity.
Balance and Tempo Fuel the First-Half Run
With Kohler anchoring the interior, Michigan State’s guards were free to push pace.
Jeremy Fears Jr. continued to look increasingly comfortable running the show, scoring 15 points and handing out 8 assists while controlling tempo throughout the first half. Kur Teng and Coen Carr each added 14 points, thriving in transition and attacking space as Toledo struggled to stay organized defensively.
By halftime, the Spartans led 58–28, shooting efficiently and piling up points before the Rockets could ever settle in. Michigan State finished the night with a 36–16 advantage in fast-break points, a familiar Tom Izzo formula when things are clicking.
Depth Takes Over After the Break
With the outcome largely decided, the latter part of the first half and most of the second became a bench-heavy affair.
Izzo emptied the rotation early, giving extended run to reserves and shifting the focus from separation to evaluation. Michigan State still finished with four players in double figures, but the crisp execution from the opening stretch faded as the night went on.
Toledo took advantage of the looser play and found some footing — including from a familiar Michigan name.
Leroy Blyden Jr., a product of University of Detroit Jesuit, chipped in 10 points for the Rockets and continued to show why he’s already carved out a meaningful role as a freshman. The Michigan Mr. Basketball runner-up put together a dominant high school résumé, averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists as a senior while shooting 67% from the field, 40.5% from three, and 87% at the free-throw line.
Now Toledo’s second-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game, Blyden has quickly earned his place in the rotation, playing with confidence well beyond his years. His presence is another reminder of how consistently the Rockets continue to tap into Michigan’s high school talent pool.
Izzo’s Eye on the Details
The scoreboard said blowout. Izzo saw something else.
Despite the 23-point win, Toledo outscored Michigan State in the second half. The Spartans committed 15 turnovers, nine after the break, and allowed sloppiness to creep in once the urgency dipped.
Izzo didn’t shy away from that reality after the game.
“It was a pretty damn good first half. I didn’t think it was elite,” Izzo said. “When you’re up 25 or 30 points, it takes a real, self-driven human being to stay focused on the task at hand. We still showed some immaturity.”
One issue stood out in particular: finishing at the rim.
Michigan State converted just 15 of 22 layup attempts, a detail Izzo made clear won’t slide once Big Ten play tightens and possessions become harder to come by.
Spartans Enter the Digital Arena
Away from the court, Michigan State also made some noise off it.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball programs will be featured in the fall 2026 release of NBA 2K, the result of a team-wide NIL partnership that places MSU among just 16 collegiate programs nationwide included in the game.
The players didn’t hide their excitement. Senior Carson Cooper joked that appearing in the game might finally convince his girlfriend to pick up a controller, while Coen Carr put it more simply — being in NBA 2K is something every basketball player grows up dreaming about.
For Carr, the connection goes even deeper. Earlier this year, he took part in a motion-capture session with the game’s developers, traveling to San Francisco and donning a full capture suit to do what he does best — dunk the basketball. One of Carr’s signature finishes was recorded during that session and will appear as a selectable dunk animation in NBA 2K26, allowing players to use his move on breakaway slams inside the game.
It’s a modern milestone for the program, blending Michigan State’s on-court identity with the digital space many of its players grew up in.
Looking Ahead: A Neutral-Site Test
Michigan State (10–1) won’t have long to dwell on missed opportunities or video game avatars.
The Spartans head to Little Caesars Arena on Saturday to face Oakland, a matchup that always carries extra edge when two Michigan programs meet. After a night defined by extremes, Izzo will be looking for a complete 40-minute effort this time around.
It’s tough to get much from matchups like this, but what did you take away from this game? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Spartans Sound Off — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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