Michigan State, New Mexico expect physical March Madness game

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The nightcap Sunday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland should definitely pique the interest of a college basketball fan.

A Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is at stake when No. 2 seed Michigan State (28-6) meets No. 10 seed New Mexico (27-7) in a South Region second-round game at around 8:40 p.m.

Each team can score and play physically with talented players, and each team features a coach with name recognition, as Tom Izzo and Richard Pitino patrol the sidelines for the Spartans and Lobos, respectively.

“We watched a lot of film this morning,” Pitino said Saturday “They [Lobos players] were able to watch in person to see the physicality last night. But this is a testament to coach Izzo. It’s the same thing every year. That’s a compliment because if you do not block out, they’re going to rebound. If you do not get back [on defense], they’re going to run.

“So there’s a high level of physicality, and it’s always been that way with coach Izzo’s teams.”

Michigan State’s path to the 2000 national championship started with victories in Cleveland. Izzo, the Spartans coach since the 1995-96 season, is trying to repeat history.

“I know how good his team is,” Izzo said Saturday of Pitino’s New Mexico. “He’s got a point guard that’s electric, gets a lot of things done, both with the pass and with the scoring. Big kid in size. He’s got bodies. … They played very well [in a 75-66 win over Marquette on Friday], and we know we have our work cut out for us.”

Donovan Dent leads New Mexico basketball

Donovan Dent, a 6-foot-2 guard, totaled 21 points and six assists to lead New Mexico past Marquette (23-11).

“He’s a quicker guard, really good with the ball, really good at speed, pace,” Michigan State 6-4 guard Jaden Akins said of Dent. “That’s why he’s top in their league [Mountain West Conference], but I’m confident in my abilities and I’m just looking forward to it.”

The other key Lobos in the first round were 6-10 center Nelly Junior Joseph (19 points, seven rebounds), 6-4 guard…

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Publish date : 2025-03-23 10:06:00

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