The Breslin Center in East Lansing was alive with energy on Thursday night, January 8, 2026, as the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans welcomed the Northwestern Wildcats for a pivotal Big Ten basketball clash. Fans—bolstered by the rare presence of the Izzone alumni for a second straight home game—packed the arena, eager to see if the Spartans could keep their momentum rolling through the middle act of a crucial three-game homestand.
Michigan State entered the contest with a sparkling 13-2 overall record and a 3-1 mark in conference play, fresh off an emphatic 80-51 victory over USC just three days earlier. The Wildcats, on the other hand, arrived in East Lansing at 8-6 (0-3 Big Ten), still searching for their first conference win after a tough six-point home loss to Minnesota last Saturday.
It was a matchup steeped in recent history. The Spartans had bested Northwestern in their last two meetings, including a 78-68 win in Evanston on January 12, 2025. However, the Wildcats have shown flashes of trouble for Michigan State in recent years, winning twice at the Breslin Center since 2022. Even so, the all-time series heavily favored the Spartans, 96-42 before tip-off.
All eyes were on Northwestern’s senior forward Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, who entered the night averaging a blistering 23 points per game while shooting near 60 percent from the field. Martinelli had been on a tear, scoring at least 22 points in each of his last five outings, including a 26-point effort in the Wildcats’ most recent loss to Minnesota. Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was quick to praise the Wildcats’ star, saying, “I think (Chris Collins) does as good a job of coaching his talent as anybody in the league. Chris is doing the same thing this year, except they’re running more and they’re pressuring more defensively. Those two things are two things they’re definitely doing a better job of.”
Izzo’s respect for his counterpart, Chris Collins, was evident as the two coaches exchanged handshakes before the game—a moment captured by photographers and emblematic of the mutual regard between these Big Ten veterans. Collins, in his 13th year at the helm for Northwestern, has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament three times, the only such appearances in program history.
From the opening tip, the game was a showcase of intensity and tactical adjustments. Michigan State’s defensive game plan was clear: contain Martinelli at all costs. Coen Carr, Jordan Scott, and Cam Ward all took turns shadowing the 6-foot-7 forward, determined not to let him dictate the game’s tempo. The Spartans’ defensive pressure was relentless, with Carr and Scott in particular drawing praise for their hustle and anticipation. “You never know… I just like the fact that I’m seeing some progress from people,” Izzo remarked about his squad’s development this season.
On the offensive end, Michigan State leaned on their own star big man, Jaxon Kohler. Known as a double-double machine, Kohler had already notched two monster games this season and was predicted to be a difference-maker against a Northwestern squad that had struggled on the glass. He didn’t disappoint—Kohler was aggressive from the outset, scoring from inside and out, including a first-half three-pointer that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. His presence on the boards was equally impressive, as he battled for every rebound and helped the Spartans control the pace.
The supporting cast stepped up as well. Divine Ugochukwu, Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears Jr., Jordan Scott, and Cam Ward all logged significant minutes, contributing both offensively and defensively. Scott’s first-half three-pointer, made while drawing a foul, brought a wide grin to his face and a roar from the alumni Izzone. Cooper’s dunks and Ugochukwu’s quick ball movement kept the Wildcats’ defense off balance. Northwestern’s own Jayden Reid, Tyler Kropp, Angelo Ciaravino, and Tre Singleton fought valiantly, but the Spartans’ depth and energy proved difficult to match.
Despite the pre-game predictions that Michigan State would win by 30 points and hold Martinelli to his Big Ten season-low, the Wildcats’ leading scorer showed flashes of his talent, blocking shots and jawing with Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. after a first-half rejection. But the Spartans’ defensive focus paid off, as Martinelli struggled to find his usual rhythm against the rotating cast of defenders.
The game was broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network, with Chris Vosters and LaPhonso Ellis on the call, while fans tuned in across Michigan on the Spartan Media Network and on SiriusXM. For those unable to attend, live streams were available through FOX Sports, DirecTV, Fubo TV, and Sling, ensuring no one missed the action from this high-stakes conference battle.
Northwestern, desperate for a signature win to bolster its tournament hopes, never backed down. The Wildcats’ recent history at the Breslin Center—where they’d won two of their last three games—wasn’t lost on the players or the coaching staff. But Michigan State, buoyed by the raucous crowd and the energy of the alumni Izzone, showed why they’re considered a lock for the NCAA Tournament this year. Each possession was fiercely contested, with both teams trading runs and momentum swinging back and forth.
As the second half wore on, the Spartans’ depth began to tell. Kohler’s dominance inside, combined with timely shooting from the perimeter, helped Michigan State build and maintain a lead. The Wildcats made several pushes, but each time, the Spartans responded with poise and execution. Izzo’s rotation kept fresh legs on the floor, and the defensive intensity never waned.
With the game winding down, the Breslin Center faithful sensed another important Big Ten win was within reach. The Spartans’ victory—if ultimately secured—would mark their third double-digit win in conference play, underscoring their status as a contender not just in the Big Ten, but nationally. For Northwestern, the search for that elusive first conference win would continue, but Collins’ squad showed grit and flashes of promise, particularly on the defensive end.
As the final whistle approached, fans looked ahead to the next challenge: a home showdown with Indiana on Tuesday, January 13. But for now, the night belonged to Michigan State and their passionate supporters. The alumni Izzone once again proved to be a difference-maker, their energy fueling the Spartans on a night when every possession mattered.
In a season where every Big Ten win is precious, Michigan State took another step forward, blending star power, depth, and defensive toughness in front of a crowd that knows how to make a difference. The Spartans’ march through the conference continues, with their sights set firmly on March—and perhaps, something even bigger.