Michigan State basketball locked up with UConn inside the Breslin Center on Tuesday for a high-level exhibition contest ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Huskies gained the better of the Spartans, earning a 78-70 victory.

It was a very informative game for MSU coach Tom Izzo, who received a real glimpse of the state of his team and what it needs to improve upon before the Spartans open the regular season against Quinnipiac on Nov. 2.

A sluggish first half put Michigan State behind 30-22, and the poor offensive output set the Spartans back. The Spartans could never overcome the deficit, despite being just an arm’s length away from the Huskies for the majority of the second half.

Jeremy Fears led the way with 23 points. Jasiah Jervis also scored in double figures with 11 points. The Spartans finished the game shooting 39.6% from the field and 15% from 3-point land.

Michigan State will get one more chance at a dress rehearsal before the season starts when it travels to Milwaukee for an exhibition with Marquette on Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State basketball falls in exhibition to UConn

Reporting by Cory Linsner, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire

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