Sports
Michigan State Spartans Advance to Sweet 16, Defeat Louisville
Michigan State defeated Louisville 77-69 in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Coen Carr achieved his first career double-double, while Jeremy Fears Jr. had 16 assists for the Spartans.
Michigan State's victory over Louisville marked their 17th Sweet Sixteen appearance under coach Tom Izzo. Izzo stated that the program is back where it belongs. Fears, averaging 9.2 assists per game, also scored 12 points. Fears is the first Big Ten player to record at least 10 assists in each of the first two NCAA tournament games; he had 11 against North Dakota State. Magic Johnson recorded double-digit assists in four NCAA Tournament games during the Spartans’ 1979 national title run, before assists were an official statistic. Izzo said that Fears is in good company with Johnson.
Key Facts
- Michigan State defeated Louisville 77-69 in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Spartans advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the 17th time under coach Tom Izzo.
- Coen Carr posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- Jeremy Fears Jr. had 16 assists.
- Fears is the first Big Ten player to have at least 10 assists in the first two NCAA tournament games.
- Fears had 11 assists in the first-round win against North Dakota State.
- Magic Johnson had double-digit assists in four 1979 NCAA Tournament games.