As Michigan State men's basketball advances to the Sweet 16 with a win over Louisville Cardinals men's basketball on Saturday, students across campus reflected on the victory with a sense of unity that defines March Madness in East Lansing.
For public relations sophomore Alex Coe, the moment reflected the unity that defines Michigan State in March.
“Fantastic. I mean, we're moving on. Yeah. That's what we want to see,” she said. “It's like, that's what makes Michigan State so great. Everybody can get behind the same thing… it's the best month of the year, 'cause everyone gets united… everyone's supporting one team. It is the best thing ever. It just feels like the whole campus is connected through this.”
Much of that excitement centered around junior forward Coen Carr, whose performance stood out to multiple students.
“Coen Carr… he's not usually very good at shooting, and he hit two three-point shots,” Alex said. “I think through the empowerment of this… he's able to do things that he can't normally do… relying on your teammates and community… that makes you the best version of yourself. You could really see that confidence build during the game.”
Nursing senior Mallory Reynolds pointed to both individual performances and the overall rhythm of the team.
“I loved it. I think we played super well. It was super fun to watch,” Reynolds said. “I liked Coen today. He was able to make some threes, and his dunks are always fun. And Kohler was impressive as well. It felt like everything was just clicking for us.”
There was also a very strong sense of pride in how the team carried itself throughout the game.
“I'm really proud of our team. I know we're making it to the next round,” said Cameron, a sophomore biochemistry major. “It just shows how much work they've put in, and it’s exciting to see that pay off right now.”
For others, the atmosphere surrounding the game elevated the experience.
“I thought the game went great. I was out at the bar, you know, the energy was fantastic,” said junior Grant Bennett, a communication leadership and strategy major. “All the fans seemed super supportive, and I was really just proud of students watching our team go out there and make it to the Sweet 16. It felt like everyone was locked in together.”
Bennett also highlighted Carr’s impact on the crowd.
“He's electric. Anytime he dunks the ball, everybody goes crazy… he's super electric, and everybody likes watching him. He brings a different kind of energy that really gets people going.”
Finance and economics freshman Grace Busad emphasized the team’s cohesion as a key takeaway.
“I thought it was pretty good. Coen Carr did amazing, as he always does with his dunks, but I feel like we really came together more as a team, shared the ball, and it was just freaking fun to watch. It felt a lot more connected compared to some earlier games.”
Bennett also pointed to Carr’s development as a defining part of the performance.
“It was pretty good. It was probably Coen Carr's best game of the year,” he said. “Our first points were him hitting a three… we had a couple threes, which he doesn't usually do… he's only, I think, a 12% three-point shooter. Seeing that kind of growth this late in the season is huge.”
After the disappointment of the Big Ten tournament, the win felt like a turning point for some students.
“I'm really happy that we won, because after the Big Ten disappointment, everyone was kind of low,” Busad said. “With an effort today, I feel like everyone had that ‘Go Green’ energy again. It felt like we got our confidence back as a fanbase too.”
Now, with Michigan State heading into the Sweet 16, the excitement across campus continues to build.
“Pretty great. I mean, it's a wonderful thing to be in the Sweet 16,” Alex said. “We just gotta make the most of it… I think everyone on campus is gonna be pretty excited. It’s something everyone is looking forward to now.”
“I’m so excited,” Reynolds added. “It’s gonna be a tough game, but we’ll follow them through the tournament. Everyone’s ready to keep this run going.”
As the Spartans move deeper into March Madness, the sense of unity and belief around campus remains just as strong as the team’s performance on the court.
