WHO: No. 3 Michigan State Spartans (25-7) vs. No. 2 Connecticut Huskies (29-5)
WHAT: Sweet Sixteen – Men’s NCAA Tournament
WHERE: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC
WHEN: Friday, March 27 | 9:45 PM ET
WATCH: CBS
Michigan State is back in the Sweet Sixteen—right where Mr. March, Tom Izzo, and the Spartans always seem to belong.
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But the road to the Elite Eight will be anything but a smooth drive up the coast. Standing in their way is a top-five UConn team. The Spartans have seen the Huskies once before this season, but that matchup came in an exhibition, so there’s only so much you can take from it. One key takeaway, however, was the extended run for Jordan Scott—valuable experience that could pay off in a moment like this.
With a late tip Friday night, fans might have to battle the sandman, crack open an energy drink, and settle in for a classic “after the kids go to bed” showdown.
And make no mistake—this one is going to get gritty. It’ll be physical. It’ll be emotional. For one team, it’ll be a nightmare.
These are two storied programs that feel like annual fixtures in the Sweet Sixteen. The last time they met in the NCAA Tournament came during the 2013–14 Elite Eight, when the seventh-seeded Huskies knocked off Michigan State 60-54 on their way to a national championship. Before that, the Spartans got the better of UConn in the 2009 Final Four, winning 82-73 before falling to North Carolina in the title game.
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Overall, the teams have met seven times, with Michigan State holding a slight 4-3 edge, while the NCAA Tournament meetings are split 1-1.
The winner of this matchup will advance to face either Duke or St. John’s, who tip off earlier Friday evening.
A Game of Margins
This game shapes up to be a mental and statistical battle. The numbers between these two teams are incredibly tight, reinforcing just how evenly matched this contest is. In many ways, it feels like a Final Four-caliber game—only it’s arriving in the…
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Publish date : 2026-03-25 04:32:00
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