Elite Eight spotlight solely on Tom Izzo, Michigan State basketball

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MSU basketball: Video analysis of the Spartans’ win over Mississippi

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch, Detroit Free Press beat writer Chris Solari and columnist Shawn Windsor analyze MSU’s win over Ole Miss.

Michigan State basketball defeated Mississippi 73-70 to advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.The Spartans will face the Auburn Tigers, who defeated Michigan in their Sweet 16 matchup.Coach Tom Izzo, in his 30th season, will be seeking his ninth Final Four appearance.

ATLANTA — One of the most epic NCAA tournament wins in Tom Izzo’s 30-year career won’t end up a footnote after all.

Michigan State basketball did its part, withstanding Mississippi, 73-70, on Friday for another hard-fought victory. A display of toughness and fortitude in a season full of character-checks to earn Izzo his 11th trip to the Elite Eight.

That means the Spartans are playing Sunday for a Final Four berth to San Antonio on the line. But it won’t be against Michigan. And the Wolverines — and the entire Mitten State — will have to wait for next season to see the two rivals play again. On a smaller stage with far smaller stakes.

The spotlight now solely belongs to Izzo and his players. And it is their opportunity to seize.

SHAWN WINDSOR: Michigan State basketball shows Ole Miss it can change March Madness game in second half

“Whatever happens, we’re blessed to be here,” junior Carson Cooper said in the locker room while awaiting MSU’s next opponent. “We’re blessed to be able to play on this stage and in this moment to go to the Final Four.”

No. 2-seed MSU (30-6) will face overall 1-seed Auburn on Sunday for the South region title (5:05 p.m., CBS). The Tigers knocked off 5-seed U-M in Friday night’s late Sweet 16 game at State Farm Arena, 78-65, to prevent the first NCAA tournament meeting between the Spartans and Wolverines in their shared history.

Instead, Izzo will be attempting to take MSU to his ninth Final Four since 1999. And to continue his quest to…

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Source link : https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2025/03/29/tom-izzo-michigan-state-basketball-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-elite-eight-final-four-sweet-16/82711077007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-29 10:04:00

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