Michigan State, UConn set for physical Sweet 16 rematch

The Spartans and Huskies meet again after an October exhibition game that foreshadowed their NCAA Tournament clash.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:20pm

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No. 3 seed Michigan State (27-7) faces No. 2 seed Connecticut (31-5) in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 27 in Washington, D.C. The teams previously met in an October exhibition game that UConn won 76-69, with the Huskies' physicality and interior dominance proving problematic for the Spartans. Both teams have evolved since then, but expect another hard-fought battle between the two programs with rich histories and demanding coaches.

Why it matters

This Sweet 16 matchup is a rematch of an October exhibition game that provided an early preview of the teams' strengths and weaknesses. While that game didn't count, it has taken on added significance now that both Michigan State and UConn have advanced deep into the NCAA Tournament. The winner will move one step closer to the Final Four, making this a pivotal game for both programs with championship aspirations.

The details

In the October exhibition, UConn built a 19-point lead before Michigan State stormed back late, with Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper each posting double-doubles. The Huskies' physicality and interior presence, led by Tarris Reed Jr., proved problematic for the Spartans. While Reed sat out that first meeting, he has been dominant of late with eight double-doubles in the past 12 games. UConn also has the versatile Alex Karaban to complement Reed in the frontcourt. Michigan State will need to find a way to limit the Huskies' interior advantage and avoid foul trouble for its own big men.

  • The teams previously met in an exhibition game on October 28, 2025.
  • The Sweet 16 matchup will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Jaxon Kohler

A senior forward for Michigan State who had a double-double in the October exhibition against UConn.

Carson Cooper

A Michigan State forward who also posted a double-double in the previous meeting with the Huskies.

Tarris Reed Jr.

A senior big man for UConn who has been dominant of late, recording eight double-doubles in the past 12 games.

Alex Karaban

A versatile frontcourt player for UConn who provides the Huskies with another mobile big man to complement Reed.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

The Michigan State guard who had 14 points and six assists but also six turnovers in the October exhibition.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing their sprint, their cuts – they screen, they're physical, aggressive. Kind of seeing how you can prepare in your mind and scout how physical the game is going to go just a little bit. … Overall, kind of trust our game plan and our prep and go into that game with kind of a little version of them that we'd seen a while ago.”

— Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State guard

“Tarris is probably one of the more physical guys ever to play this year. … The way he's playing right now, he's playing his best basketball. I think we are, too. So it's going to come down to who's the most physical, who is the most aggressive. I think we got to be able to hit first.”

— Carson Cooper, Michigan State forward

“We were very intentional about trying to schedule them for that game right before the opener, so we could really identify our vulnerabilities in that game. They were on full display in that game. They exposed us. I think we gave up six or seven free-throw rebounds in that game, our transition defense was a joke, we got assaulted on the glass. There was a lot there in that game that we were able to show the guys this week when we got manhandled.”

— Dan Hurley, UConn head coach

What’s next

The winner of the Michigan State-UConn matchup will advance to the Elite Eight and face either 1-seed Duke or 5-seed St. John's on Sunday for a berth in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 in Indianapolis.

The takeaway

This Sweet 16 clash between Michigan State and UConn features two storied programs with demanding coaches and rich histories of success. While the Spartans and Huskies have evolved since their October exhibition, the keys to victory remain the same - physicality, interior dominance, and limiting turnovers. Whichever team can impose its will and execute its game plan will move one step closer to the Final Four.