Medlock Shines in Michigan State Opener

Freshman guard Carlos Medlock scored nine points and handed out four assists as Michigan State routed Quinnipiac 96-59 on Monday night.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball

Michigan State opened its season with a 96-59 win over Quinnipiac on Monday night. Freshman guard Carlos Medlock scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and added four assists and a steal.

Why it matters

Medlock's debut gave Michigan State an early look at a freshman guard who can contribute as a scorer and playmaker in the backcourt. His performance also offers East Lansing fans a first sense of how the Spartans' guard rotation may function this season.

The season opener was a 96-59 Michigan State win over Quinnipiac, with Medlock scoring nine points on 4-of-5 shooting and adding four assists and a steal. The sample is a single game against a non-conference opponent, so it does not yet show how his production will translate against tougher competition.

The players

Carlos Medlock

Medlock is a freshman guard for Michigan State who scored nine points and recorded four assists in his season debut.

Tom Izzo

Izzo is the longtime head basketball coach at Michigan State, who compared Medlock to former Spartan point guards Kalin Lucas and Cassius Winston.

The details

Medlock scored after drawing defenders and later threw an alley-oop lob to Cam Ward in transition. He also found Kur Teng for a three-pointer and took on point guard duties while Jeremy Fears sat on the bench.

Monday, November 2, 2026: Michigan State opens the season with a 96-59 win over Quinnipiac at the Breslin Center.

Season Trajectory

Izzo's comparison places Medlock within a line of Michigan State point guards that includes Kalin Lucas and Cassius Winston. Whether Medlock grows into a comparable role will shape how the Spartans' backcourt develops across the season.

Medlock's nine points and four assists in the opener give fantasy managers a first data point on a freshman whose minutes may grow as the non-conference schedule continues. The early performance also signals how much ball-handling responsibility he may carry when Jeremy Fears is off the floor.

The takeaway

Medlock's debut suggests Michigan State has a freshman who can score and distribute without taking over the offense. Tracking his minutes and matchups over the next several games will show whether that early promise holds.