No. 2 Michigan State punched its ticket to the Elite Eight with a gritty 73-70 victory over No. 6 Ole Miss on Friday night in the South Region. In a game that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings, the Spartans outlasted a determined Rebels squad to advance to their first Elite Eight since 2019.
Jaden Akins proved to be the hero for Michigan State, as his runner in the lane with 1:27 remaining gave the Spartans a crucial two-point lead in a back-and-forth battle. Ole Miss had multiple opportunities to tie the game but failed to capitalize, allowing Michigan State to extend its advantage late.
After the Rebels missed two chances to draw even, Carson Cooper’s layup with 40 seconds left put the Spartans up by four. Ole Miss quickly responded with a basket to cut the deficit back to two, but was forced to foul to extend the game. Akins calmly drained both free throws with 27 seconds remaining, only for Ole Miss to once again claw back within two. However, Tre Holloman iced the game for Michigan State, sinking two more foul shots with 11 seconds left.
Holloman’s clutch free throws ultimately sealed the victory, despite a last-second three-pointer by Ole Miss’ Matthew Murrell that cut the final margin to three. While that shot had no impact on the outcome, it did allow Ole Miss to cover the 3.5-point spread, frustrating bettors who had backed the Spartans.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo admitted postgame that his team didn’t play its best, crediting Ole Miss as the toughest opponent the Spartans had faced in years. The Rebels controlled much of the first half but led by just two at the break. Michigan State, which never held a lead in the opening 20 minutes, didn’t take its first lead until the 7:50 mark of the second half.
That’s when one of the most compelling games of the NCAA Tournament truly unfolded. The teams traded baskets in a high-intensity final stretch, with neither holding more than a one-possession advantage until Akins’ late free throws.
The Spartans appeared in trouble early in the second half when they trailed 48-39 with 12:15 remaining. But Michigan State responded with a dominant 14-2 run to surge ahead 53-50. Ole Miss immediately answered, as Sean Pedulla—who led all scorers with 24 points—knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game.
Jase Richardson led Michigan State with 20 points, while Coen Carr added 15, including a highlight-reel steal and dunk. Holloman’s late free throws capped a steady performance, while Akins came through in the clutch to secure the victory.
While Ole Miss fell short of history, the Rebels’ fight under head coach Chris Beard suggests the program’s first Elite Eight appearance may not be far off. Beard, who has led four different schools to the NCAA Tournament, now holds a 13-6 record in March Madness play. His teams have won at least one game in each of his six tournament appearances.
Despite the loss, the Rebels showcased their potential, nearly pulling off an upset that would have sent them to their first-ever Elite Eight. Ole Miss had control for much of the game and proved it belonged on the big stage, even as a late scoring drought allowed Michigan State to surge ahead.
Michigan State now turns its attention to top-seeded Auburn, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, for a high-stakes showdown on Sunday. With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Spartans will look to keep their March magic alive and return to the national semifinals for the first time since 2019.
For Izzo and Michigan State, Friday’s victory was another example of their resilience. Now, they’ll need to bring their best effort against a powerhouse Auburn squad if they hope to continue their run.
