Michigan State’s men’s basketball team is set to face East Carolina on Tuesday, November 25, in the first round of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Beach Division. The game will commence at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on FS2. Following this encounter, the Spartans will play against North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, at 4:30 p.m. on FOX.
Spartans’ Recent Performance
This tournament marks Michigan State’s first appearance in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. They recently achieved an impressive 84-56 victory against Detroit Mercy, bringing their record to 5-0 for the season. This is the Spartans’ strongest season start since the 2020-21 campaign, where they won their first six games.
Current Rankings and Statistics
- Overall record: 30-7 in the previous season
- Big Ten Conference record: 17-3
- Ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25
- Currently, the Spartans rank No. 11 nationally in assists per game (20.8)
- Rebounding margin: +15.6 ranking 8th nationally
Player Highlights
Michigan State boasts a strong lineup. Key players include:
- Jaxon Kohler: Leads the team with 15.2 points per game (ppg) and 9.8 rebounds per game (rpg).
- Jeremy Fears Jr.: Averaging 11.8 ppg, leads Division I in assists with 10.4 per game.
- Coen Carr: Contributes 10.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg, showcasing impressive athleticism.
- Carson Cooper: Scoring 10.0 ppg and averaging 5.4 rpg in a career-high 23.8 minutes of play.
- Kur Teng: Scored a career-high 15 points against Kentucky, currently averaging 6.6 ppg.
About East Carolina
East Carolina enters this matchup with a 2-3 record, following a recent 77-65 defeat against Charleston Southern. Their season’s wins came against Georgia Southern and Elizabeth City State. The team’s leading scorer is senior guard Jordan Riley, with an average of 18.5 ppg, while center Giovanni Emejuru follows with 17.0 ppg and 9.8 rpg.
Head Coach Overview
ECU is under the leadership of Head Coach Michael Schwartz, who joined from Tennessee, bringing nine newcomers to the roster this season.
Matchup Insights
This game will be the inaugural contest between Michigan State and East Carolina. Historically, the Spartans have faced teams from The American Conference with a record of 23-17. Their last game against a member of this conference was a win against Florida Atlantic on December 21, 2024.
Fans can catch all the action as Michigan State takes on East Carolina in what promises to be an exciting matchup at the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
