The Spartans are flying high heading into their fifth game of the season.
The boys return home after clobbering Kentucky and burning down Madison Square Garden with their barrage of deep shots. Once invisible coming into the season—loaded with newcomers, overlooked by most, and underestimated by the rest—they’ve stretched their way into the top 20 and could easily crack the top 10 when new rankings roll in. Also, yes, that’s how you casually weave all four Fantastic Four members into the opening paragraph of a how-to-watch article.
Advertisement
Now let’s have some fun and figure out how we’re watching the Spartans vs. Titans.
How to Watch
-
Radio: WJR-AM 760 (Detroit)
Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State sits at 4-0 with two top-15 SEC wins already on the résumé. They’ve been riding high to start the season, and it’s been a blast to watch. This is a team that can win in so many different ways at an elite level. When one thing isn’t clicking, they flip to another gear.
If the three ball isn’t falling? They bully their way to the rim. Free throws looking shaky? Fine—just toss another lob to Carr. Everything is clicking? Well, enjoy a 5-for-7 start from deep.
This roster is made up of true role players with zero ego. They’re “one for all and all for one,” and it’s clear every guy has bought into the Spartan way. And while Coach Izzo is still as fiery as ever, he seems ever-so-slightly more relaxed—earned trust will do that.
Detroit Mercy Titans
Detroit Mercy is led by former longtime MSU assistant Mark Montgomery, now in his second year as head coach.
Advertisement
Montgomery finished 8-24 last season and enters this matchup with a 1-4 start, their lone win coming against Cleary University. Their losses have come against Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, UIC, and Toledo.
The Titans have three players averaging double digits:
-
Orlando Lovejoy – 13.8 PPG
-
Ayden Carter – 12.4 PPG
Overview
Michigan State can’t afford to take this game lightly. Yes, they’re favored by 31.5. Yes, they should absolutely take care of business. But that’s exactly what makes games like this dangerous.
Montgomery will bring everything he has—every wrinkle, trap, and trick under his sleeve. This game means something to both sides.
For MSU, the target on their back is bigger than it has been in years. They’re putting the nation on notice early and can’t stumble into a trap game with UNC and Duke approaching.
Advertisement
For Detroit Mercy, a win at the Breslin would be more than a morale booster—it could be a program-shifting, career-changing moment. Teams with “no shot” are always the scariest.
And while it’s not a rivalry, the familiarity between these programs ensures the chatter (and intensity) will be real.
Prediction
I picked MSU to lose to Arkansas and Kentucky, showing just how little belief I had in this early-season run. Well, consider this my opportunity to jinx them once again—with a Michigan State victory.
Michigan State 77 Detroit Mercy 59
