Some Thanksgiving meals just hit different. While most of America was debating the merits of canned versus fresh cranberry sauce, the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans were serving up a heaping plate of domination to the No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels, securing a decisive 74-58 victory in sunny Fort Myers, Florida.
This wasn’t just another win; it was a statement. This is already the Spartans’ third victory over a top-25 team this season. To put that in perspective for you, last year they didn’t notch their third ranked win until February. Yeah, these guys are playing a different brand of basketball. It’s also the first time the program has kicked off a season 7-0 since the glory days of 2015-16. Is it too early to feel that March magic tingling? Maybe. But it’s a whole lot of fun right now.
Leading the charge was the man of the hour, Jeremy Fears Jr., who looked like he had cheat codes enabled. The kid dropped a career-high 19 points, snatched five rebounds and dished out seven assists. His jumper was smoother than a gravy-covered mashed potato, looking the best it has all season. Not to be outdone, Jaxon Kohler was a monster on the glass, posting a classic double-double with 10 points and 11 hard-earned rebounds…