Michigan State Spartans Soar Past North Dakota State Bison in March Madness Opener

High-flying guard Coen Carr leads the way for the Spartans in dominant victory.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 6:16pm

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The Michigan State Spartans, led by the explosive play of guard Coen Carr, defeated the North Dakota State Bison 82-68 in their NCAA March Madness tournament opener. Carr, known for his highlight-reel dunks, poured in a game-high 23 points to power the Spartans to the comfortable win.

Why it matters

This victory keeps Michigan State's hopes alive in the NCAA tournament, as the Spartans look to make a deep run. The loss ends North Dakota State's season, but the Bison can be proud of their strong campaign that saw them earn a tournament berth as a No. 14 seed.

The details

Carr was unstoppable, attacking the rim relentlessly and finishing with a series of thunderous dunks. He also knocked down three 3-pointers to keep the Bison defense honest. Michigan State's size and athleticism proved too much for North Dakota State, which struggled to contain the Spartans' transition game and interior scoring.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.
  • Michigan State led by 10 points at halftime and pulled away in the second half.

The players

Coen Carr

A high-flying 6-foot-6 guard for the Michigan State Spartans, known for his explosive dunking ability and well-rounded offensive game.

Jeremy Fears

The Spartans' talented point guard who dished out 13 assists in the team's previous loss to UCLA.

Damari Wheeler-Thomas

A sharp-shooting guard for the North Dakota State Bison who hit multiple 3-pointers in the game.

Jaxson Kohler

A 6-foot-9 forward for the North Dakota State Bison who also connected on several 3-pointers.

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What they’re saying

“Coen Carr is just a different breed. When he gets going, it's almost impossible to stop him.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans

“We knew Michigan State would be a tough matchup, but their athleticism and transition game really hurt us today.”

— Dave Richman, Head Coach, North Dakota State Bison

What’s next

Michigan State will face the winner of the Gonzaga-TCU game in the Round of 32 on Saturday.

The takeaway

Michigan State's dominant performance, led by the heroics of Coen Carr, showcased the Spartans' potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, North Dakota State's tournament appearance was a success, but the Bison ultimately fell short against the superior talent and athleticism of the Spartans.