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  • Fears Breaks Magic’s Record As Michigan State Pushes Past Louisville And Into The Sweet 16

Fears Breaks Magic’s Record As Michigan State Pushes Past Louisville And Into The Sweet 16

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — March is Tom Izzo’s month, and Michigan State reminded the country of that again Saturday. Behind a record‑setting performance from Jeremy Fears Jr. and a commanding effort from Coen Carr, the third‑seeded Spartans defeated sixth‑seeded Louisville 77–69 to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year — and the 17th time under their Hall of Fame coach.

Fears was brilliant, orchestrating the offense with a poise and command that felt like classic Michigan State tournament basketball. The redshirt sophomore point guard dished out 16 assists, breaking Magic Johnson’s program NCAA Tournament record of 14 set in 1978. He added 12 points and three rebounds, repeatedly carving up Louisville’s defense and setting the tone for a Spartan team that looks increasingly dangerous.

“This is point guard university,” Fears told CBS afterward. “My teammates are making the shots — I’m just giving them the ball.”

Carr delivered the finishing power. The junior forward scored 21 points — his NCAA Tournament career high — on 8‑for‑13 shooting, throwing down three dunks, hitting two threes, and grabbing a game‑high 10 rebounds for a double‑double. His energy and physicality helped Michigan State (27–7) control the interior and maintain separation late.

The Spartans placed four players in double figures. Senior guard Trey Fort added 12 points with three threes, and senior forward Jaxon Kohler chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.

Michigan State’s win continues one of the most consistent March runs in college basketball. Izzo improved to 61–26 all‑time in the NCAA Tournament, and the Spartans are now 26–9 in second‑round games under his leadership. Since 1998, MSU is an astounding 17–5 in its second game of the tournament.

Louisville (24–11) pushed back multiple times but never fully solved the Spartans’ balance and execution. Michigan State now leads the all‑time NCAA Tournament series with the Cardinals 3–2.

With the victory, the Spartans advance to the East Regional semifinal in Washington, D.C., where they will face the winner of No. 2 seed UConn and No. 7 seed UCLA on Friday, March 27. And after Saturday’s performance, Michigan State looks like a team built to keep marching.