“When you’re in rhythm and you feel like you’re open, you’ve just got to … pull the trigger and shoot it.” — Stephen Curry
The Spartans turned into the Golden State Warriors of old last night, unleashing a barrage of threes en route to an 80–66 win over Kentucky. It wasn’t an NCAA record, but for this young Spartans season, it was a new high — nearly doubling their previous best from deep.
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MSU finished 11/22 from beyond the arc and came out scorching, hitting five of their first seven threes with 15 of their first 17 points coming from deep.
But it hasn’t just been one night. Through four games, multiple shooters have stepped up at different moments. Whether it’s Fort and Teng stretching the floor, Jaxon Kohler cleaning up the glass, or Coen Carr igniting highlight reels from the rafters, this team is proving the offseason doubters wrong. They didn’t lose too much scoring — they just redistributed it.
So let’s dive into the numbers, the roles, and the early-season identity of the Spartans’ shooters.
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Jaxon Kohler
The “Kohler Bear” looks primed for a major leap. He isn’t viewed as an NBA prospect right now, but his combination of size, touch, and shooting range might force scouts to take notice.
Kohler feels like the veteran workhorse — the lead running back of this offense. Physical inside, soft-handed around the rim, and capable of stepping out for a three when needed.
He’s the steady wheel that keeps the Spartans car rolling — and likely the favorite to finish as the team’s leading scorer.
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Jeremy Fears Jr.
The quarterback. The engine. The Picasso with a basketball.
Fears pushes the tempo, finds shooters, and plays relentless defense. His vision is elite, his pace is calm, and his presence on both ends is impossible to ignore.
He may never be viewed as a clear NBA prospect, but for Michigan State? He’s the MVP.
Where Fears goes, the Spartans go. He is the glue — and the compass — of this team.
Coen Carr
What else is there to say? Coen Carr is a human trampoline.
His nightly highlight-reel dunks seem to send an alert across the skyline. But his development as a shooter and defender is what’s turning him from a viral athlete into a complete college player.
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Carr is the Spartan most likely to make the NBA — his athleticism is simply too extraordinary to ignore.
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1/5 from three (first make vs. Kentucky)
The free-throw percentage needs improvement, but everything else is trending toward stardom.
Kur Teng
The sophomore sniper delivered three massive threes against Kentucky and may have grabbed the starting two-guard spot in the process.
After the game, he said: “Coach stuck with me, so I’m gonna stick with him.” Izzo rewarded his confidence, and Teng rewarded the trust.
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7/17 from three (41%) — best on the team among high-volume shooters
If Teng keeps this up, he could be MSU’s dagger in March.
Trey Fort
The Samford transfer and sixth-year veteran was expected to be the instant-impact shooter. He hasn’t hit full stride yet, but it’s early — and Izzo believes in slow-burn development.
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Fort and Teng will likely continue to rotate at the two until one truly seizes it. If both get hot? That’s a dangerous combo.
That number needs to rise, but the opportunities will be there.
Cam Ward
The freshman phenom has already won over East Lansing. Against Arkansas, he delivered his breakout and has since become one of MSU’s most reliable sparks off the bench.
Ward is big, physical, patient, and poised — all traits that translate to high-level basketball. Outside of Carr, he might be the Spartan with the clearest NBA path.
With more minutes, these numbers could jump quickly.
And the Depth Doesn’t Stop There
Carson Cooper, Jesse McCulloch, Jordan Scott — the list goes on.
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This roster is deep, long, balanced, and capable of scoring in waves. And if there’s one thing this team is proving:
Shooters are gonna shoot. And the Spartans have plenty of them.
