The streets of East Lansing, once filled with excitement from Michigan State University’s March Madness run, fell silent after the Spartans' hard-fought 70-64 loss to No. 1 seed Auburn in the Elite Eight, leaving fans with both pride and disappointment.
Bars and restaurants along Grand River Avenue had been packed with students and alumni, all hoping to see MSU punch its ticket to the Final Four. Instead, as the final buzzer sounded, the energy shifted.
"I’m totally proud of the team," sophomore Quinn Nelson said. "Izzo didn’t get the exact run he was looking for, but we made it deep enough where I think he can be proud of this team. Kohler stepped up, Holloman was on his game, and Akins really got going in the last few minutes. We fought hard, so you can’t even be mad at that. As a fan and as a student here, I’m proud of them."
It was a back-and-forth battle. Every Spartan basket sparked cheers, while every Auburn score was met with anxious anticipation. MSU’s defense kept it close, but as the game wound down, the Tigers pulled ahead. With each missed shot and turnover, the reality set in.
"I’m proud of the team," freshman Sam Karrick said. "But I’m also a little disappointed. I think we definitely could have played better and hit more of our shots."
Looking ahead, Karrick was hopeful.
"I know we have a good freshman coming in from Maryland, Cam Ward, so we’ll see what happens," he said. "I hope Richardson stays, but I’m not sure."
As fans slowly left bars and restaurants, the usual postgame celebrations were replaced by quiet conversations and sighs of what could have been. Freshman Conner Sohrabi still seemed to be processing the loss.
"I’m very sad about it," Sohrabi said. "I thought we were going all the way. It’s an unfortunate loss, but I think Izzo still has a good handle on things. Hopefully, Jase (Richardson) comes back for another year. The future looks bright if he does."
Despite the heartbreak, the Spartans had given their fans a thrilling season. Their Big Ten title and deep tournament run were achievements to be proud of, even if the Final Four felt just out of reach.
"This game was extremely disappointing, especially because of how far we have gotten this year and with winning the Big Ten title," sophomore Letizia Cumbo said. "Compared to previous games, this wasn’t our best performance, but they fought hard towards the end. I was really hoping for a Final Four appearance, but overall, State had a great year."
The season is over, but the Spartan spirit is stronger than ever. With talented freshmen coming in and experienced players potentially returning, Michigan State has a lot to build on. As the dust settles, one thing is clear — this program is still chasing championships.
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