New Delhi, March 28: UConn men’s basketball has secured a spot in the Elite Eight for the third time in four years, defeating Michigan State 67-63. The Huskies initially built a 19-point lead in the first half, but Michigan State fought back to reclaim the lead in the second half.
Tarris Reed was the standout player for UConn, scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Alex Karaban also contributed significantly with 17 points, both players coming through in crucial moments. For Michigan State, Carson Cooper led the team with 14 points, while UConn’s defense effectively limited top scorers Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr to 13 points each.
This victory sets up a highly anticipated matchup against the tournament’s top seed, the Duke Blue Devils, who defeated St. John’s 80-75 earlier in the evening.
Karaban opened the scoring for UConn with a three-pointer, continuing his strong performance from the previous round. Mullins followed with a corner shot, putting UConn ahead 6-4. Reed showcased his skills with a powerful slam dunk after driving from the top of the key.
UConn’s defense was relentless in the first seven minutes, holding Michigan State to just five points. Reed and Mullins made key defensive plays, while Reed assisted Mullins for a rare slam, extending the lead to 10-5.
Malachi Smith came off the bench to hit a three-pointer, and Karaban capitalized on a Michigan State turnover for an easy layup, pushing UConn’s run to 12-1. Fears struggled early, starting 1-for-4 from the field.
Solo Ball’s open three-pointer increased UConn’s lead to 12, prompting Michigan State’s coach Tom Izzo to call a timeout. The Spartans had a rough start, shooting just 2-for-15. UConn led 21-6 at the 11-minute mark.
After the timeout, UConn maintained its momentum, with Ball hitting a deep three and forcing a turnover. They began the game 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. Coen Carr finally scored for Michigan State, making it 25-8.
UConn’s bench unit excelled in the first half, making it difficult for Michigan State to find their rhythm. Fears struggled against UConn’s defense, launching a shot as the shot clock expired.
UConn’s first turnover came with under seven minutes left, allowing Michigan State to cut the lead to 13. The Spartans managed to finish the half strong, ending on a 15-8 run and closing the gap to 35-27 at halftime.
The second half began with Michigan State cutting the lead to 5, as Cooper scored an and-one. The Spartans came out with renewed intensity, and an additional and-one from Carr made it a one-point game.
Mullins responded with a three-pointer, and Reed capitalized on a steal, pushing UConn back up by 6. The defensive pressure from UConn remained, but Michigan State began to convert their missed shots from the first half.
As the game progressed, it became a back-and-forth battle. Karaban hit a crucial three-pointer to put UConn ahead 61-57, and Fears answered with a three of his own. Reed made two key free throws with 44.8 seconds left, extending UConn’s lead to 63-62.
With time running out, Michigan State needed to foul, and Karaban made both free throws after breaking the full-court pressure. UConn’s defense forced Michigan State into a frantic final possession, and despite a missed three-pointer, the Spartans managed to get to the line, going 1-for-2.
Reed secured the rebound and hit two more free throws, sealing the victory for UConn. The Huskies will face the Duke Blue Devils on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. on CBS.
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