CLEVELAND – The Michigan State Spartans are making waves in the NCAA Tournament, continuing their late-game heroics as they advance to the Sweet 16. The 2-seed Spartans will take on the 6-seed Ole Miss Rebels on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 7:09 p.m. at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with CBS broadcasting the action. The game will feature a star-studded commentary team, including Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson.
Michigan State secured its place in the Sweet 16 after overcoming a 10-point deficit against the 10-seed New Mexico, ultimately winning 71-63 at Rocket Arena. Previously, they decisively defeated 15-seed Bryant 87-62. This marks the Spartans' 16th Sweet 16 appearance under head coach Tom Izzo, a testament to his ability to lead the team through high-pressure situations.
On the other side of the court, Ole Miss is celebrating its second Sweet 16 appearance in school history. The Rebels, currently holding a 24-11 record, reached this stage by defeating 11-seed North Carolina 71-64 and then knocking off 3-seed Iowa State 91-78. Coach Chris Beard has guided his team to a notable run, demonstrating their capability to compete against higher-seeded opponents.
Friday's matchup will be particularly significant as it marks the first meeting between Izzo and Beard since their dramatic encounter in the 2019 Final Four, where Beard's Texas Tech team triumphed over the Spartans 61-51. Reflecting on their past encounter, Izzo acknowledged Beard’s coaching prowess, stating, "Chris (Beard) does a hell of a job. His teams are tougher than nails, they're gonna come at you tooth and nail, they're gonna defend and rebound. I remember that from our game up there in Minneapolis. He's a damn good coach. I haven't seen them a lot, but I will tonight on the way home and I will tomorrow."
As the teams prepare for battle, several key factors will influence the outcome. Michigan State boasts the No. 5 defense in the country, allowing just 67 points per game, while holding opponents to a mere 29% shooting from beyond the arc, ranking them first nationally in defending the three-point line. In contrast, Ole Miss has found success in the NCAA Tournament with their shooting, making 49% of their three-point attempts. Sean Pedulla, the Rebels’ standout guard, has been instrumental, contributing significantly to their offensive output.
In terms of rebounding, Michigan State has the upper hand, being the No. 2 rebounding team in the Big Ten. They dominated the boards against Bryant, out-rebounding them 54-29, and again held the advantage against New Mexico, 34-28. Jaxon Kohler leads the Spartans with an average of 7.8 rebounds per game, while Ole Miss has struggled in this area, finishing 15th in the SEC for rebounding.
Despite these statistics, Ole Miss has shown improvement in rebounding during the tournament, grabbing more boards than North Carolina and staying competitive against Iowa State. Coach Beard has emphasized the need for his team to excel in this aspect of the game to compete effectively against the Spartans.
Izzo expressed confidence in his team’s preparation, stating, "I guess the first thing is it's great to be in the Sweet 16. It means you've survived what a lot of people failed at. I think we have a group of guys now that understand we've played so many different styles, and this one creates some other problems. They're smaller, yet physical. They defend in a swarming way."
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high, and both teams are aware that every possession counts. Michigan State enters the game as a 3.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 144.5 points. Predictions for the game vary, with some analysts favoring the Spartans slightly, suggesting a score of 79-78 in their favor, while others see it as a potential nail-biter.
Individual performances will be pivotal. For Michigan State, Tre Holloman has been a standout, scoring 14 points with four assists and three steals in their last game. His contributions will be crucial as the Spartans look to build momentum. Meanwhile, for Ole Miss, the pressure will be on Pedulla to maintain his scoring streak and lead the team’s offense.
As the Sweet 16 approaches, fans are eager to see how this clash between two storied programs unfolds. Will Michigan State continue its winning ways, or can Ole Miss pull off an upset and advance further in the tournament? The excitement is palpable, and both teams are ready to give it their all on the court.
As the tournament unfolds, the spotlight will be on Atlanta, where the outcome of this game could shape the trajectory of both programs. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams are prepared to leave everything on the court.
