Jaden Akins showcased an impressive performance, sinking seven 3-pointers and achieving a career-high 23 points to contribute to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s milestone 700th career victory. The Spartans dominated Michigan with a convincing 81-62 triumph on Tuesday night.
Since taking on the role of head coach at Michigan State in 1995, Izzo, with 288 losses, became the 38th men’s coach to reach the 700-win mark. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, Izzo has remained a stalwart figure in collegiate basketball.
Akins, a junior standout, made 8 of 13 shots for the Spartans (13-8, 5-5 Big Ten Conference), securing their sixth consecutive home victory against the Wolverines (7-14, 2-8). A.J. Hoggard contributed 15 points, reaching the milestone of 1,000 career points, and added seven assists.
Tyson Walker finished with 12 points, four assists, and three steals, while Malik Hall also scored 12 on 6-for-8 shooting.
Jaelin Llewellyn led the Wolverines with 18 points, but Michigan suffered its fourth consecutive loss and ninth in the last 10 games. Terrance Williams II contributed 14 points.
The game witnessed a significant turning point when Tarris Reed Jr., a sophomore, hit his first career 3-pointer, giving Michigan an 18-9 lead with 11:25 left in the first half. However, the Spartans rallied back, with Hoggard’s three-point play narrowing the gap to 35-33 at halftime.
In the second half, Hall’s layup tied the game at 39, and Walker’s layup put the Spartans ahead for the first time since the early stages of the game. Akins’ 3-pointer capped a 7-0 run, and Michigan State secured a two-possession lead with 16:32 left
Carson Cooper’s three-point play extended the lead to 52-42 at the 14:10 mark, and the Spartans controlled the game from there.
While the Wolverines hold the all-time series lead at 104-89, the Spartans have asserted dominance, winning eight of the last 12 matchups. Izzo boasts a 33-21 record in the rivalry.
Izzo’s illustrious coaching career includes leading Michigan State to eight Final Fours, with a championship in 2000. Under his guidance, the Spartans have compiled a 55-23 record in the tournament.
Looking ahead, Michigan State is set to host Maryland on Saturday, while Michigan will return home to face Rutgers on the same day.
