Michigan State University made a strong statement in their exhibition opener against Hillsdale College. While it may not be enough to prove their national title contender status, the performance was certainly impressive. The Spartans defeated Hillsdale College with a commanding score of 85-43 at the Breslin Center.
Right from the start, Michigan State showcased their dominance, scoring five points in the opening 63 seconds and quickly establishing a 20-3 lead. They utilized an 11-player rotation, featuring two separate platoons of players, overwhelming Hillsdale with their experience, talent, and depth. Remarkably, all 11 of the Spartans’ players managed to score in the first half.
Carson Cooper, coming off the bench, shared the team’s high score of 13 points with Tyson Walker and also led in rebounds with seven. Freshman Coen Carr contributed 12 points, while sophomore Jaden Akins added 10 to finish in double figures.
The exhibition game was an opportunity for four Spartans freshmen to make their debut, receiving enthusiastic applause from the crowd. These young talents demonstrated why they are considered one of the top recruiting classes in the country. Jeremy Fears, a point guard, impressed with four assists during his first appearance, finishing the game with a total of eight assists. Xavier Booker made a three-pointer on his first possession, and Coen Carr delivered an exciting steal and transition dunk, much to the delight of Spartans fans. Carr continued to shine with two more dunks in the second half.
Defensively, Michigan State held Hillsdale to just 25 percent shooting, limiting their three-pointers to a 4-for-24 shooting rate.
The Spartans will have one more exhibition game at home against Tennessee before officially opening the season on November 6 against James Madison.
This strong performance against Hillsdale indicates that Michigan State is gearing up for an exciting season of college basketball.
