The Spartans patted themselves on the back, and then did what they’ve done several times this season, especially with their rigorous non-conference schedule earlier in the year. They got right back to work.

"Everything that he (Coach Izzo) does prepares us for March," senior forward Malik Hall said. "The schedule obviously is very hard and it's rigorous but that'd something that trains our minds and bodies in getting ready for situations like this and going up against someone who is just as good a team as us, maybe even plays a little better."

The Golden Eagles have strong guard play and a standout big, junior forward Oso Ighodaro, who’s tallied up an impressive amount of assists, unusual for the center spot. 

Head coach Tom Izzo said they add in more ball screens than any team the Spartans have faced this season. 

“They’re unconventional in their own way, they’re different in their own way and they’re very good,” Izzo said. 

For graduate student forward Joey Hauser, the No. 2 seed Golden Eagles are all too familiar. Hauser played for Marquette his freshmen year alongside older brother, Sam Hauser, prior to transferring to MSU.

However, Hauser doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the meet-up with his former team. 

“I don’t know any of the players or coaches there, it was a long time ago,” Hauser said. I don’t have any ill will towards them.”

The veteran forward has faced considerable adversity during his time as a Spartan, more than the average player his age. Alongside COVID-19 challenges over the course of his collegiate career, Hauser had to prove his worth in green and white.  

Hauser believed in himself, and it’s fair to say that he earned that respect over the course of the 2022-23 season. 

“You love Joey Hauser, and if you know what he’s been through and how he’s responded,” Izzo said. “He will be a good guy for me to use in years to come, fight through some adversity, people getting down on you, and believing in yourself and hanging in there. I believed in him.”

Growth from Hauser has been invaluable to MSU this season. Hauser has improved in every aspect of his game and on both ends of the floor. 

MSU will need to see that consistency from Hauser if they want to fend off Marquette on Sunday night and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Hauser isn’t the only Spartan familiar with the Golden Eagles. Izzo has kept in touch with Marquette head coach Shaka Smart over the years.

Smart began his head coaching career at Virginia Commonwealth prior to switching over to Texas and then Marquette in 2021. Izzo recalled his first real encounter with Smart in 2013, prior to Virginia Commonwealth’s NCAA tournament matchup against Michigan in the second round. 

“His passion now along with his desire to be where he’s at, he’s going to be very successful there and do a very good job,” Izzo said. “He’s a damn good coach."

Smart feels similarly about Izzo, and admires his work at MSU that's made him and the program so successful.

“He lights himself on fire and he makes sure that fire is so strong and so bright and so hot that it affects everyone around him. That’s coach Izzo, and he’s done that for a long, long time,” Smart said. “So if you're in that program, you don't have a choice. It's not an option. You have to have a level of intensity. You have to have a level of passion otherwise you don't function. You don't make it. And that's why they've been to 25 straight tournaments and that's why he's had all the success he's had.”

MSU plans to carry its momentum and energy from Friday afternoon over to Sunday’s second round contest against Marquette, hopeful for a different outcome from last season’s second round matchup against Duke. 

Tipoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed on CBS.