GAME DAY · WEEK 21

Michigan State vs Connecticut

Michigan State

#11 · 27-8

Connecticut

#7 · 32-5

Final · 63 - 67

WEEK 21 · NON-CONF Capital One Arena, Washington

Fri, Mar 27 1:50 AM Capital One Arena, Washington

KEY PERFORMERS

The difference-makers on both sidelines.

Michigan State

Connecticut

TEAM STATS

No season stats yet

Season stats aren't in yet

Season averages appear here once Michigan State and Connecticut have played this season.

TEAM LEADERS

Michigan State

Connecticut

Carson Cooper 14
Points

Tarris Reed Jr. 20
Jaxon Kohler 8
Rebounds

Alex Karaban 7
Jeremy Fears Jr. 7
Assists

Malachi Smith 7
Carson Cooper 2
Blocks

Alex Karaban 2
Jeremy Fears Jr. 3
Steals

Malachi Smith 4

Shot Chart

MSU

Made (23)

Missed (35)

43.1% eFG

UConn

Made (0)

Missed (0)

0.0% eFG

Recap

UConn controlled this Sweet 16 thriller from start to finish, building a commanding 19-point lead behind a devastating 15-2 run early. The Huskies led 35-27 at halftime and extended their advantage to 56-49 with a decisive 10-2 burst in the second half. But Michigan State wouldn't go quietly—13 lead changes and back-and-forth momentum swings made this a white-knuckle affair down the stretch. The final minute was pure chaos. With the Huskies clinging to a 62-60 lead, Tarris Reed Jr. nailed consecutive free throws to push it to 63-60. Jeremy Fears Jr. answered for the Spartans at 63-62, then Alex Karaban extended the lead to 65-62. Carson Cooper cut it to 65-63 with four seconds left, but Reed Jr. sealed it with two clutch free throws at the buzzer. UConn's 67-63 victory sends the No. 2 seed to the Elite Eight.

HEAD TO HEAD

Recent meetings and who's had the edge.

2 Connecticut 3–2 in recent meetings 3

2021 Michigan State won 64–60 Nassau · neutral site
2017 Michigan State won 77–57 Portland, OR · neutral site
2013 Connecticut won 60–54 New York, NY · neutral site
2012 Connecticut won 66–62 Ramstein · neutral site
2010 Connecticut won 70–67 Lahaina, HI · neutral site