Buffalo, NY - March Madness Thrills with Fort's Breakout Performance
Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler have been eyeing their final NCAA Tournament run with a sense of urgency, but it's Trey Fort who's truly taken the spotlight. Fort's journey from the bench to a pivotal player for Michigan State is becoming a legendary tale of perseverance in Spartans lore.
Just two days after energizing the 3-seed Spartans off the bench against North Dakota State, Fort was at it again. He played a crucial role in their 77-69 victory over 6-seed Louisville, propelling Coach Tom Izzo to his 17th Sweet 16 appearance.
“Effort is what matters,” Fort said, reflecting on his 12-point performance, which included three clutch 3-pointers. “I’m leaning on having effort, bringing a spark, and helping us in any way I can.”
Fort started the season as a regular but found himself out of the rotation. His resurgence, marked by tenacious defense and rebounding, is a testament to his determination and some tough-love coaching from Izzo and assistant Doug Wojcik.
“I’m appreciative of being able to push guys and then watch them come through,” Izzo said. “Fort gets a big hug and a kiss when I’m done. It’s not easy, but credit to him and everyone who believed in him.”
Fort’s journey to Michigan State has been a winding one, featuring stops at Tennessee Martin, junior colleges, Mississippi State, and Samford. Despite limited playing time in the regular season, he’s now averaging 14.7 minutes and nine points in the postseason, shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
“Honestly, it’s about preparation,” Fort said. “Being ready to help the team be that spark off the bench. At this time of year, you have to play for each other.”
Senior Moments for Cooper, Kohler, and Wojcik
Fort isn’t the only senior making waves. Denham Wojcik had his own moment against NDSU, scoring in his first multi-basket game as a Spartan. Although he saw limited action against Louisville, his presence has been felt since stepping up as backup point guard.
“You always have those jitters,” Wojcik said. “But once you step on the court, it settles.”
Meanwhile, Kohler and Cooper combined for 19 points and 11 rebounds against Louisville. Cooper, with nine points and five rebounds, highlighted his performance with crucial late-game dunks.
“These are the memory-making opportunities we have as a team,” Cooper said. “Especially since it’s a lot of these guys’ first one.”
Kohler added 10 points, including a pivotal sequence that extended MSU’s lead. His resilience, coupled with Fort’s shooting, was instrumental in the Spartans’ victory.
“It’s great,” Kohler said. “This is everybody’s biggest dream, advancing in the tournament. We kept grinding and playing together, staying tough physically and mentally.”
As the Spartans advance, the blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent like Fort’s is creating a narrative that fans won’t soon forget.