UConn Edges Michigan State in Sweet 16 Thriller

Huskies advance to Elite Eight with narrow victory over Spartans

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:50am

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In a closely contested Sweet 16 matchup, the UConn Huskies defeated the Michigan State Spartans 72-69 to advance to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The game featured strong performances from key players on both sides, including UConn's Alex Karaban and Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr.

Why it matters

This victory continues UConn's impressive March Madness run under head coach Dan Hurley, who has led the Huskies to the Sweet 16 in two of his three seasons. Meanwhile, Michigan State's quest for its first Final Four appearance since 2019 comes to an end, despite another solid season under legendary coach Tom Izzo.

The details

UConn was led by Alex Karaban's 13 points, while Malachi Smith added 10 points off the bench. For Michigan State, Jeremy Fears Jr. dished out 8 assists, but the Spartans struggled to find consistent scoring, with no player reaching double figures.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 28, 2026 in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The players

Alex Karaban

A key contributor for UConn, scoring 13 points in the Sweet 16 victory.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

Michigan State's floor general, who recorded 8 assists in the losing effort.

Dan Hurley

The head coach of UConn, who has led the Huskies to the Sweet 16 in two of his three seasons.

Tom Izzo

The legendary head coach of Michigan State, whose team's quest for a Final Four appearance since 2019 came up short.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled tonight against a tough Michigan State team. I'm proud of the way we executed down the stretch to get the win.”

— Dan Hurley, Head Coach, UConn

“We had our chances, but just couldn't quite get over the hump. Credit to UConn, they made the plays when it mattered most.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State

What’s next

UConn will face the winner of the Arkansas-Duke matchup in the Elite Eight, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory showcases UConn's resilience and ability to win close games in the NCAA Tournament, as they continue their quest for a national championship under Dan Hurley's leadership.