The Spartans may not have delivered a flawless performance, but they secured their spot in the Sweet 16 under the guidance of Tom Izzo. Coen Carr set the tone early with five quick points, and the game was neck-and-neck until the first TV timeout.
Kur Teng then capped a 7-0 run with his first three-pointer, while Jaxon Kohler added a couple of jumpers, pushing Michigan State to a 19-12 lead. Even Carson Cooper got in on the action, hitting just his second shot of the year.
As Michigan State aimed to stretch their lead, they faced setbacks with unforced errors, allowing Louisville to stay in the game. Jeremy Fears struggled in the first half, forcing shots and missing key passes. The team collectively ended the half with nine turnovers.
Off the bench, Trey Fort made a significant impact, especially with an and-one three-pointer, marking his second consecutive game with such a play. The Spartans managed a late surge, with Fears connecting with Carr for a lob and then hitting a three, securing a 36-31 lead at halftime.
Despite the lead, Michigan State's performance felt subpar, marred by turnovers and conceding six offensive rebounds to Louisville. Expectations were higher for a team of their caliber.
Whatever Izzo said at halftime worked wonders for Carr, who came out with back-to-back dunks, including a lob from Fears. However, turnovers continued to plague Michigan State, keeping Louisville close. Despite his shooting woes, Fears dished out his 10th assist with 14 minutes left, finding Fort for another crucial three.
Louisville kept challenging, but Michigan State responded, with Fears once again setting up Fort to maintain a 53-47 advantage. Energy plays from Carr and a three from Kohler extended the lead to 13 points. With a 63-50 cushion and six minutes remaining, the Spartans held on to win 77-69, advancing to the Sweet 16.
Carr delivered a standout performance, recording his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. His two late threes were crucial in maintaining the lead, and his presence was felt on both ends of the court.
Fears also had a career night, posting 12 points and an impressive 16 assists, setting a new Michigan State NCAA Tournament record. He became the first Big Ten player to achieve double-digit assists in the first two tournament games, showcasing his exceptional playmaking skills.
Trey Fort contributed 12 points from four three-pointers, each shot looking destined to score. His increased minutes are proving valuable, especially with his ability to stretch defenses from beyond the arc. When Fears finds him open, Fort doesn’t hesitate to shoot.
Looking ahead, Michigan State will need to tighten up their ball handling if they aim to reach the Elite Eight. Their shooting from deep has been impressive, and they’ll hope to carry that momentum into their next matchup, whether it’s against UConn or UCLA.