Some college basketball matchups carry memories that don't disappear when the final buzzer sounds.
Michigan State and Marquette have one of those connections.
When the programs met during the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the Spartans ended an outstanding Golden Eagles season with a 69-60 victory in the second round. Marquette had entered that tournament as a No. 2 seed, but Tom Izzo's team delivered one of the more memorable victories of its postseason run.
Three years later, the programs met again Sunday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
This time, Marquette had the better afternoon.
The Golden Eagles defeated No. 6 Michigan State 86-79 in an exhibition that featured an outstanding first-half shooting performance, contributions throughout the roster and an important victory for Shaka Smart's team.
The result won't officially erase what happened in March 2023.
However, it gave Marquette fans a reason to celebrate and Michigan State's coaching staff several reasons for concern.
Marquette's offense looked nothing like the team Michigan State stopped in 2023
The 2023 NCAA Tournament meeting became memorable because Michigan State found ways to disrupt Marquette's offense during critical possessions.
The Spartans eventually secured a 69-60 victory, advancing to the Sweet 16 while ending the Golden Eagles' season.
Sunday's exhibition produced a dramatically different offensive performance.
Marquette scored 43 points during the first half alone, matching the number it would score in the second half to finish with 86.
The Golden Eagles shot approximately 65 percent from the field during the opening 20 minutes, repeatedly finding opportunities against a Michigan State defense that struggled to establish control.
The Spartans, meanwhile, connected on just 25.9 percent of their first-half field-goal attempts.
That difference created a 43-31 halftime advantage for Marquette.
For a team facing the nation's sixth-ranked opponent, it was an impressive demonstration of offensive execution.
The Golden Eagles weren't simply benefiting from one extraordinary scorer. Their production came from several players, making it difficult for Michigan State to identify a single defensive adjustment capable of changing the game.
Marquette's bench might be the most encouraging number
The Golden Eagles received 39 points from their reserves Sunday.
That figure could become one of the most important developments from their final preseason game.
Alex Egbuonu led Marquette with 14 points, while Adrien Stevens and Royce Parham contributed 12 apiece.
Nigel James Jr. added 11 points and seven assists, helping the Golden Eagles maintain offensive movement throughout the afternoon.
Parham also collected eight rebounds, providing valuable production beyond his scoring.
Marquette finished nine-for-18 from three-point range, shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc.
That perimeter efficiency created additional pressure on Michigan State because the Spartans couldn't afford to concentrate exclusively on defending the paint.
The Golden Eagles also forced 13 turnovers and converted those mistakes into 16 points.
Those numbers suggest Marquette's offense could become particularly difficult to defend when its rotation is functioning effectively.
A balanced scoring attack, reliable perimeter shooting and productive reserves provide several different ways to create an advantage.
Smart will undoubtedly want to see those characteristics carry into the regular season.
Michigan State's first-half problems deserve attention
Michigan State entered Sunday's game ranked No. 6 nationally, bringing considerable expectations into its final exhibition.
However, the Spartans spent much of the afternoon attempting to recover from a difficult opening half.
Marquette held Michigan State without a field goal for more than seven minutes during one stretch, preventing the Spartans from developing consistent offensive rhythm.
That drought helped the Golden Eagles establish their double-digit halftime advantage.
Michigan State responded after the break, demonstrating the resilience traditionally associated with Izzo's teams.
The Spartans eventually produced an 11-0 run, trimming Marquette's lead to five points during the second half.
For a moment, the game appeared ready to turn.
However, the Golden Eagles responded with timely offense and prevented Michigan State from completing the comeback.
Marquette led for more than 35 minutes, a significant indication of how consistently it controlled the afternoon.
That might be the most troubling aspect of the performance for Michigan State.
The Spartans didn't simply lose a close exhibition because of one unfortunate possession. They spent most of the game trying to overcome problems that developed early and never completely disappeared.
Michigan State found encouraging individual performances
Despite the defeat, several Spartans demonstrated their offensive potential.
Freshman guard Jasiah Jervis led Michigan State with 19 points, making four of his six three-point attempts.
That perimeter production provided an important offensive spark and offered encouraging evidence of what Jervis might contribute during his first college season.
Jordan Scott added 18 points, three rebounds and three steals, while Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 18 points and seven assists.
Coen Carr finished with 11 points.
Those performances suggest Michigan State has several players capable of contributing offensively.
The challenge will be creating a more consistent team performance, particularly against opponents that can attack from multiple positions.
Sunday's exhibition demonstrated that individual scoring contributions aren't always enough when an opponent establishes a significant efficiency advantage.
The Spartans need to prevent extended scoring droughts and avoid allowing opposing offenses to settle into comfortable shooting rhythms.
Those adjustments will become particularly important once Big Ten competition begins.
The rematch offered both coaches something valuable
For Marquette, Sunday's victory represented an encouraging conclusion to exhibition play.
The Golden Eagles defeated a highly ranked opponent, demonstrated offensive balance and received important contributions from their bench.
They also gave their home crowd a memorable afternoon against a program that ended their NCAA Tournament run three seasons earlier.
Michigan State, meanwhile, leaves the preseason with more questions.
The Spartans defeated Incarnate Word in their opening exhibition before suffering losses against UConn and Marquette.
Neither defeat counts toward their official record, but both provided valuable opportunities to identify weaknesses against demanding opponents.
Michigan State opens its regular season November 2 against Quinnipiac, while Marquette begins its campaign the same day against Mercyhurst.
Both programs have time to improve before conference play begins.
However, Sunday's matchup demonstrated why exhibitions against quality opponents can be more useful than comfortable victories against overmatched competition.
Marquette discovered several reasons for optimism.
Michigan State discovered several problems that require attention.
And three years after the Spartans sent the Golden Eagles home from March Madness, Marquette finally enjoyed an afternoon when the ending went its way.
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