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If you've been refreshing your feed looking for the latest score of Michigan State game, you're probably either riding a massive high from the Breslin Center or still shaking your head over how the football season wrapped up. It’s been a wild ride in East Lansing lately. Honestly, the mood on campus right now is basically a tale of two seasons. On one hand, you’ve got Tom Izzo’s squad finally looking like the juggernaut we expected, and on the other, a football program that’s clearly still in "rebuilding mode" under Jonathan Smith.
Let’s get the big news out of the way first.
The most recent score of Michigan State game saw the No. 12 Spartans men's basketball team absolutely dismantle Indiana on January 13, 2026. It finished 81-60. It wasn't even as close as that 21-point margin suggests. Jeremy Fears Jr. went nuclear. He dropped a career-high 23 points and dished out 10 assists. If you didn't see the 20-0 run they went on in the second half, you missed the moment the Izzone truly came alive this winter.
Breaking Down the Recent Score of Michigan State Game
Basketball is king in January, but it’s worth looking at how we got here. The Spartans are currently 15-2 overall and sitting 4th in the Big Ten. That Indiana win was a statement. It’s the kind of performance that makes you think a deep March run isn't just a dream—it’s the expectation.
Here is how the scoring shook out in that 81-60 victory:
MSU came out swinging with a strong first half, largely thanks to Fears scoring 19 of his 23 points before the break. The defense held the Hoosiers to just 60 points total, which, in the modern Big Ten, is basically like a shutout. Jaxon Kohler was a beast on the boards again, grabbing 10 rebounds to go with his double-digit scoring.
But maybe you're here because you're still processing the football season.
The final score of Michigan State game for the 2025 football season was a 38-28 win over Maryland. That game happened on November 29 at Ford Field in Detroit. It was a weird way to end a 4-8 season, but a win is a win, right? Aidan Milivojevic threw for nearly 300 yards. Nick Marsh looked like the future superstar we all think he is. Still, a 1-8 conference record is a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase used to being in the hunt for the Rose Bowl.
The Rivalry Sting
We can't talk about football scores without mentioning the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The October 25 matchup against Michigan was... well, it was rough. The final score was 31-20 in favor of the Wolverines. MSU had 12 penalties for 105 yards. You can't win rivalry games when you're constantly shooting yourself in the foot.
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Coach Jonathan Smith called it "sloppy play," and he wasn't wrong. The Spartans turned it over on downs twice in the fourth quarter when they were within striking distance. It’s those small margins that keep fans up at night.
What the Basketball Trends Tell Us
The basketball team’s trajectory is the polar opposite of the football team's late-season slide. Since that weird loss to Nebraska on January 2 (a 58-56 heartbreaker), Izzo’s guys have been on a tear.
- Win over USC: 80-51 (Total dominance)
- Win over Northwestern: 76-66 (Gritty, Big Ten style win)
- Win over Indiana: 81-60 (The "we’re back" game)
The common thread? Jeremy Fears Jr. playing like a veteran floor general. His assist-to-turnover ratio is becoming the stuff of legend. When he’s on, the whole team plays faster. When Kohler and Carr are hitting their mid-range jumpers, this team is borderline impossible to guard because you can't just sell out on the perimeter.
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Why These Scores Matter for the Tournament
Every score of Michigan State game from here on out is a data point for the Selection Committee. Being ranked 12th is great, but the Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. Road games at Washington (Jan 17) and Oregon (Jan 20) are going to be massive. If they can sweep that West Coast trip, expect them to jump into the Top 10.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Spartans, here is what you need to keep an eye on to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Injury Report: The depth is good, but Fears and Kohler are the engines. Any missed time for them completely changes the betting line.
- The Ford Field Factor: Football moving games to Detroit is a trend to watch for 2026. If the Maryland game was any indication, the recruiting perks of playing in the city might outweigh the loss of a true home-field advantage in East Lansing.
- Transfer Portal Tracking: With football spring ball coming up, the 4-8 record means Jonathan Smith is going to be aggressive. Expect a lot of movement in the trenches.
- Ticket Availability: Basketball games at the Breslin are nearly sold out for the rest of the season, but the January 30 game against Michigan is the one everyone has circled. If you want in, buy now; prices are already hovering around $200 for nosebleeds.
The Spartans are in a transitional phase across the board. One program is peaking at the right time, while the other is laying bricks for a new foundation. Either way, the score of Michigan State game remains the pulse of sports in the state. Keep a close eye on the turnovers in the next few basketball matchups; if they keep those under 10, they’re unbeatable.
Stay tuned for the Washington game—it’s going to be a late one for East Coast fans, but likely worth the caffeine.