EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State opened its NCAA Tournament run with authority, overpowering North Dakota State 92-67 in Buffalo to advance to the Round of 32. The Spartans set the tone early, racing out to a 45-25 halftime lead behind red-hot shooting and a stifling defensive presence. North Dakota State, the Summit League champion, struggled to match Michigan State’s physicality and pace in the opening 20 minutes. The Spartans shot 58.9% from the field, compared with the Bison’s 43.9%, giving MSU a steady grip on momentum from the start.
Senior center Carson Cooper delivered a standout performance for Michigan State, finishing with a game-high 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting while adding 10 rebounds and three assists. His dominance inside opened the floor for MSU’s guards, including redshirt sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr., who dished out 11 assists, another example of his growing command of the offense. Junior forward Coen Carr added 17 points, continuing the athletic, above‑the‑rim play that has defined his late‑season surge. The Spartans also knocked down 50% of their 3-pointers, a key counter to North Dakota State’s perimeter‑oriented attack.
PODCAST:
March 20, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick, Jamie Edmonds and Steve Courtney speak with MSU Head Basketball Coach Tom Izzo. Coach Izzo discusses Michigan State’s NCAA tournament win and preparing for Louisville.
(CONTINUED) For North Dakota State, junior guard Damari Wheeler‑Thomas again served as the offensive engine, scoring 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Junior guard Trevian Carson added 11 points and seven rebounds, but the Bison struggled to generate consistent scoring against Michigan State’s length and pressure. They shot just 24% from 3-point range, a critical setback for a team that often relies on perimeter efficiency to stay in games. Though NDSU found stretches of rhythm, such as an 8-0 run late in the second half, the early deficit proved too large to overcome.
Ultimately, Michigan State’s depth, balance and physical interior play proved decisive. The Spartans dominated the glass 35-23 and doubled NDSU in assists 26-13. With contributions across the roster and a clear edge in efficiency, Michigan State looked every bit the contender expected from a high Big Ten seed. As they move on to face tougher competition in the next round, the Spartans appear to be finding their stride at the right time.
Michigan State will face Louisville on Saturday for a spot in the Sweet 16. Tip off is set for 2:45 p.m. Louisville announced Wednesday that star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. will miss the first two games of the tournament with a back injury, but Brown Jr. told ESPN that “there’s a possibility” he will play Saturday. Brown Jr. is a projected NBA Draft pick this summer, averaging over 18 points a game this season.
