Couch: Ugochukwu showed signs Tuesday of being the player MSU needs him to be. He needed it, too.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — If it had been a close game, Tom Izzo would have had an interesting decision to make when Jeremy Fears Jr. picked up his second foul with five minutes remaining until halftime.

Next time, even if the game is tight, Izzo might not hesitate to sit Fears and turn the keys over to Divine Ugochukwu. The sophomore transfer from Miami earned little faith during Tuesday’s 89-56 win over East Carolina .