For 32 minutes, No. 6 Ole Miss outplayed No. 2 Michigan State University — the Rebels shot and made more three-pointers, protected the perimeter well and outrebounded the Spartans, something that has happened only twice this season.
But in the final eight minutes, the Spartans gave another example of how they can come back from behind and find a lead with time expiring.
In the final minute, MSU sank eight consecutive free throws, sealing a 73-70 win over Ole Miss and advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019. The Spartans will face No. 1 Auburn.
"In two days, we’re playing for a chance to do one of the all-time great things in any basketball player’s life, and that’s play for a Final Four," MSU men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo said postgame. "I’m proud and happy for them. They’ve earned it. They deserved it. They did it."
Here are key takeaways from MSU’s thrilling win on Friday:
Familiar MSU first-half performance
Sophomore forward Coen Carr made his first start of the season, replacing senior center Szymon Zapala. Despite the change, MSU once again found themselves trailing at halftime, adding to the number of games it's been down at the break.
Zapala and sophomore forward Xavier Booker did not play in the first half, while Carr logged 16 minutes, junior center Carson Cooper played 10 and junior forward Jaxon Kohler contributed 13, shortening MSU’s usual 10-man rotation to just eight players.
MSU opened with a turnover, setting the tone for a rough first half. Besides the first one-and-a-half minutes, the Spartans trailed throughout, committing seven turnovers and shooting less than Ole Miss. When the Spartans were down 15-10, they hadn’t made a field goal in almost three minutes, shooting 3-for-8 compared to the Rebels' 6-for-16. MSU was also 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, finally hitting a three from freshman guard Jase Richardson with 10 minutes left.
MSU closed the half strong, hitting four consecutive three-pointers — two from Richardson, one from Carr, and one from senior guard Jaden Akins — ending the half down 33-31.
Nine of Ole Miss’ first 15 shots were three-pointers, and by halftime, nearly half of their shots came from beyond the arc. The Rebels’ starters scored 28 of their 33 points, led by senior guard Sean Pedulla. Ole Miss also grabbed five offensive rebounds, earning seven second-chance points to maintain a slim lead.
The most crucial offensive rebound came with less than three minutes remaining when Ole Miss grabbed a missed shot, got fouled and tied the game at 63, sending the Rebels to the bonus.
MSU ended the half with seven turnovers, while Ole Miss had four turnovers and capitalized on MSU’s mistakes, scoring nine points. The Spartans’ worst stretch came when they allowed three straight turnovers in four and a half minutes, giving Ole Miss a steady lead.
MSU improved offensively in the second half, committing fewer turnovers and executing more effectively. With 3:30 left, they had already matched their first-half scoring total, turning the ball over just twice. Their increased precision, physicality and tenacity helped them secure the win.
Once again, MSU improved in the second half — and once again, they won.
"In the second half, it really opened up for us. We were being more aggressive, getting downhill, getting driving kicks," Richardson said postgame. "I felt like we were at our best in the second half."
MSU pivoted from stunted transition offense
Ole Miss swarmed MSU on offense, limiting the Spartans from breaking the perimeter and forcing them into difficult shots.
Ole Miss also retreated to their half after taking three-pointers instead of fighting for offensive rebounds, stalling MSU’s transition offense and neutralizing a key part of their game.
MSU adjusted to Ole Miss' defense in the second half, allowing them to take their first lead with 7:50 remaining. The Spartans leaned on their bigs, Coen Carr and Carson Cooper, to find the basket.
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In the second half, MSU executed dismantling Ole Miss’s defense, which enabled the Spartans to score inside more.
"They didn’t have a traditional big, so our matchups were kind of weird," junior guard Tre Holloman said postgame. "I feel like we handled it great. Once we stopped turning it over, we got out and ran."
As the game wound down, MSU relied on guards Akins and Richardson to attack the paint. The duo hit key layups, with Cooper adding a pivotal paint shot to give MSU a 67-63 lead with 40 seconds left.
"It feels like one stop can change everything," Holloman said. "We are here to stay."
The Spartans finished with just three fast-break points, but was able to get it done in the paint — and a little from beyond the arc — to win.
No. 2 MSU will face No. 1 Auburn on Sunday, March 30, with tip-off scheduled for 5:05 p.m. The game will air on CBS.
"We belong here," Holloman said.
