EAST LANSING — Michigan State did exactly what the nation’s 10th-ranked team is expected to do against a Division II foe.
The Spartans rushed out to a big lead, experimented with lineup combinations and got their freshmen some action in front of the home crowd. They scored and rebounded at will, running away to a 93-47 victory over Northern Michigan on Tuesday night.
Everything gets real after this, though. In a hurry.
No more secret scrimmages. No more exhibition games. No. 1 Kansas is on the clock next.
Nick Ward had 24 points and nine rebounds, and Cassius Winston added 13 points and seven assists as the Spartans dominated from tip to final horn, shooting 49.