Michigan State Spartans won their game against Marquette to advance to the Sweet 16. MSU held Marquette’s leading scorer Tyler Kolek to seven points and forced him into six of his team’s 16 turnovers. Despite the poor shooting, MSU kept the game tight through their defense and play inside the arc. Things got worse for MSU when Hoggard was called for a charge with 5:23 left, his second of the half, and Marquette chipped away. MSU opened 2-for-10 with four turnovers in the first 9½ minutes of the second half, but their defense and play inside the arc kept them in the game. MSU got a defensive stop, and Hauser finally ended MSU’s 3-point drought with one from the right corner. Jones answered to cut it to two, then Propser split a pair to make it a one-point game with 3:36 left. Walker, Hoggard, and the rest of their crew ensured Izzo would once again get back to the Sweet 16.
Michigan State Basketball Reaches Sweet 16 with Upset Win over Marquette in NCAA Tournament
Michigan State basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019, after defeating Marquette 69-60 in the NCAA tournament on Sunday.
Best Team Effort
The Spartans displayed their best team effort and brute force in a 12-minute fistfight with Marquette. Tyson Walker led the team with 23 points, scoring 15 points in the last 8:52, while Mady Sissoko blocked a pair of shots and Malik Hall grabbed rebounds. A.J. Hoggard also contributed despite foul trouble, and Joey Hauser hit a critical 3-pointer when outside shots were not falling.
Stellar Guard Play
Shawn Windsor from Free Press praised MSU’s guard play and defense, stating that they have arrived on the big stage. Walker had seven points in the last 1:16, including his first dunk after a steal with 40 seconds remaining. “We’ve shown it before, but not not for that long. When it got real close, we stuck together. People just made big shots, we got big rebounds and we just got stops,” he said.
Going to the Sweet 16
MSU will face No. 3 seed Kansas State in the Sweet 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, after they won 75-69 over No. 6 seed Kentucky on Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina. Game time and TV network will be announced later Sunday night. This will be MSU’s 15th Sweet 16 in 25 consecutive NCAA tournaments, with the team making the Sweet 16 just once in six NCAA tournaments between this season and the Spartans’ 2015 appearance.
Izzo’s Pride
Tom Izzo, the coach of Michigan State, was proud of his team for withstanding the intense and tough game with Marquette, “We beat a good team. But I am so proud of these guys for withstanding that. Because I’ve been in Elite Eight games, I’ve been in Final Fours — that was as intense and tough a game as I’ve been in my career.”
Michigan State basketball team will move forward to the next stage of the NCAA tournament, and fans will be eagerly waiting for their next performance.
Michigan State Advances to Sweet 16 After Beating Marquette in NCAA Tournament
Michigan State basketball team defeated Marquette 69-60 in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, securing their place in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. Despite only shooting 2-for-16 from 3-point range, Tyson Walker led the team with 23 points, 15 of which came in the final 8:52.
Team Effort
Joey Hauser had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while A.J. Hoggard contributed 13 points and four assists, despite five turnovers. Mady Sissoko added eight points and 10 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots in the final two minutes. “We put it all together, offensively and defensively. We just played,” said Walker, who praised the team’s efforts in a tough game against Marquette.
Marquette Struggles
Marquette had won 10 straight games and 20 of its past 22 entering Sunday’s game. However, they shot just 38.5% and scored their second-fewest points of the season. Golden Eagles leading scorer Tyler Kolek only managed seven points and was forced into six of his team’s 16 turnovers. Oliver-Maxence Propser had 16 points and Kam Jones added 14 for Marquette.
Going to Sweet 16
Michigan State (21-12) moves on to the Sweet 16, with their next game against No. 3 seed Kansas State in Madison Square Garden in New York. MSU hadn’t escaped the first weekend since their 2019 Final Four run and made the Sweet 16 just once in six NCAA tournaments between this season and the Spartans’ 2015 appearance.
Early Slugfest
Michigan State had a rough start, with Hoggard having his pocket picked by Stevie Mitchell on the opening play. However, he immediately responded by hitting Sissoko for a dunk and driving from the wing for a layup. Malik Hall contributed a putback, which helped secure an 11-0 MSU run.
Impressive Defense
The Spartans held Marquette without a field goal for 6:21 after the first steal and bucket, then another scoreless stretch of nearly three minutes. The team turned five offensive rebounds into seven points, without giving up a second-chance opportunity at the other end. Michigan State’s physicality and aggressiveness had a significant impact on Marquette’s offense, with Golden Eagles coach Shaka Smart acknowledging the effect.
Michigan State’s win was a significant achievement, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how they perform in the Sweet 16.
Michigan State basketball pulled off a 69-60 win against Marquette in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, earning a spot in the Sweet 16. It is the team’s first time making it to the Sweet 16 since 2019.
Game Highlights
MSU’s Tyson Walker scored 15 points of his 23 points in the final 8:52 as No. 7 seed MSU outlasted an intense performance from No. 2 seed Marquette for a 69-60 victory Sunday night at Nationwide Arena. A.J. Hoggard had 13 points and four assists, while Joey Hauser had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mady Sissoko blocked a pair of shots and Malik Hall got 8 rebounds.
Marquette’s Oliver-Maxence Propser had 16 points and Kam Jones added 14. The Golden Eagles shot just 38.5% and scored their second-fewest points of the season.
First Half
MSU held an 18-8 edge in paint points and a 20-12 rebounding edge, thanks to seven from Hauser and five from Sissoko. Marquette, after starting 3-for-11 from the field, recovered to make six of its final 13 attempts and four of its last six 3-point tries. Prosper had nine points and Kam Jones eight.
Second Half
Marquette recovered quickly after halftime, with Prosper drilling a pair of 3-pointers and Oso Ighodaro a layup for an 8-0 run over the first 2:10 of the second half. The Golden Eagles also made a 12-6 spurt, cutting MSU’s lead to just two points. MSU’s defense and play inside the arc kept the Spartans in it.
Walker, Hoggard and Hauser led the team to victory
Walker, Hoggard and Hauser made crucial contributions in the win over Marquette. Walker scored 15 of his 23 points in the final 8:52, Hauser had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Hoggard had 13 points and four assists despite five turnovers. Mady Sissoko blocked a pair of shots and had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Sweet 16 Bound
MSU’s win against Marquette earned them a spot in the Sweet 16 that begins Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York. MSU faces No. 3 seed Kansas State, who beat No. 6 seed Kentucky 75-69 in Greensboro, North Carolina. MSU hasn’t made it to the Sweet 16 since its 2019 Final Four run and has only made it once in the six NCAA tournaments between this season and the Spartans’ 2015 appearance.
Conclusion
The Spartans’ win over Marquette was a testament to their strength and perseverance, as they held on to their lead despite a strong comeback effort from the Golden Eagles. The team’s defense and play inside the arc were key in keeping the game close, while the contributions from Walker, Hoggard, and Hauser helped secure the win. MSU’s return to the Sweet 16 after a few years of absence is a significant accomplishment, and the team looks poised to continue their success as they face Kansas State in their next matchup.
Tyson Walker expressed his excitement to play at Madison Square Garden for the upcoming Sweet 16 games, saying that it means a lot to him as a player from Westbury, New York. He also joked about owing coach Tom Izzo some pizza and a cab ride.
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