Michigan State Spartans Aim to Defeat Louisville Cardinals in NCAA Tournament

Spartans look to punch ticket to Sweet 16 with victory over fast-paced Cardinals

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:18pm

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Michigan State basketball is set to face off against Louisville in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans, coming off a dominating win against North Dakota State, are favored by 4.5 points but will need to focus on three key areas to defeat the Cardinals: perimeter/guard defense, 3-point shooting, and rebounding.

Why it matters

This matchup between the Spartans and Cardinals will be the first time the two teams have met since 2021, and the first time in the NCAA Tournament since the 2015 Elite Eight. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16, making this an important game with significant tournament implications.

The details

Louisville plays a fast-paced style, ranking 59th in tempo, and relies heavily on its perimeter players for scoring. The Spartans' guards, including Jordan Scott, Kur Teng, and Trey Fort, will need to have a strong defensive performance to slow down the Cardinals' backcourt. Additionally, the Spartans' own 3-point shooting, led by Jeremy Fears and Jaxon Kohler, will be crucial to exploiting Louisville's 101st-ranked 3-point defense. Finally, Michigan State's size advantage should allow them to dominate the glass on both ends of the floor, a key strength of the Spartans' program.

  • The Spartans and Cardinals last met in 2021.
  • The teams' previous NCAA Tournament matchup was in the 2015 Elite Eight.

The players

Jordan Scott

A Spartans guard who will be tasked with leading the defensive effort against Louisville's perimeter players.

Kur Teng

Another Spartans guard who will play a key role in the team's perimeter defense against the Cardinals.

Trey Fort

The third Spartans guard who will need to contribute to the team's defensive performance against Louisville's backcourt.

Jeremy Fears

A Spartans guard who can provide a scoring boost through his 3-point shooting and passing ability.

Jaxon Kohler

A Spartans forward who can also help stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting to complement the team's size advantage.

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What they’re saying

“We must be locked in on the defensive end against Louisville's guards. They are the key to their offense, and we need to make it tough for them to get going.”

— Jordan Scott, Spartans Guard

“Rebounding is always a focus for us, but it will be especially important in this game. We need to dominate the glass on both ends to create extra possessions and second-chance opportunities.”

— Jaxon Kohler, Spartans Forward

What’s next

The winner of this Round of 32 matchup between Michigan State and Louisville will advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game will come down to the Spartans' ability to execute their defensive game plan, knock down 3-pointers, and control the boards against the fast-paced Cardinals. If Michigan State can lean on its strengths, it has a strong chance of punching its ticket to the second weekend of the tournament.