East Lansing — As Michigan State played its first game as the top-ranked team in the nation, any fear of a letdown was quickly squashed.
But moving forward, things are bound to get more difficult.
It was far from a perfect game on Wednesday night at Breslin Center, but the Spartans dismantled Maryland Eastern Shore, 78-35, to move to 10-0 on the season, their best start since 1991-92. It matches the second-best start in Michigan State history and with two more victories, it will equal the 12-0 opening to the 2000-01 season.
After two straight games against inferior competition — Michigan State beat Binghamton last Saturday by 43 points — the competition will start to pick up in intensity.