Lakers Icon Magic Johnson Shows Love to MSU Basketball

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By Justin Grasso

Contributing Sports Writer

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Before the Michigan State Spartans took on the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday night, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson sent a positive good luck message to the team.

“Good luck to my Michigan State Men’s Basketball team as they face Iowa tonight,” Johnson wrote on the social media platform X. “I will be watching and cheering them on but please don’t take the Hawkeyes lightly. They are disciplined and well coached and my Spartans have to be on their “A” game if they’re going to beat them!”

A few hours after Johnson sent his message to his former team, they took care of business. The Spartans remain undefeated early on during the 2025-2026 NCAA season.

It was a strong effort all around. The forward Coen Carr led the Spartans with 15 points in 27 minutes. Jaxon Kohler posted a double-double by producing 12 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. The guard Jeremy Fears Jr. had a 14-point outing in 30 minutes of action.

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Overall, Michigan State handled business with authority. The Spartans defeated Iowa 71-52, which moved them to 8-0 on the year. As for the Hawkeyes, that was their first loss of the young season. They are 7-1 moving forward.

“Michigan State beat Iowa 71-52 to advance to 8-0 so far this season! I was really nervous about this game because we have the biggest game of the season on Saturday against Duke,” Johnson wrote.

“Hall of Fame Spartan Coach Tom Izzo had the team focused and ready to play tonight! It was a total team victory!”

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The Spartans, ranked No. 7 currently, have a bout against the No. 4-ranked Duke on Saturday afternoon. They’ll get a week off after that to prepare for their matchup against Penn State.

There’s a lot of basketball left to be played in the NCAA, but Johnson is optimistic about his former school’s run so far. MSU is on the hunt for its third championship, its second since Johnson helped them secure an NCAA Championship win in 1979, before he went to the NBA to get selected by the Lakers first overall.

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