Michigan State Advances to Sweet 16 Behind Carr and Fears

Spartans defeat Louisville 77-69 to reach 17th Sweet 16 under Coach Izzo

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:24pm

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Michigan State University's men's basketball team defeated the University of Louisville 77-69 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 for the 17th time under head coach Tom Izzo. Sophomore forward Coen Carr recorded his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. dished out 16 assists to lead the Spartans to victory.

Why it matters

Michigan State's deep tournament run under Izzo's leadership continues the program's status as one of the most consistent and successful college basketball powerhouses of the past two decades. The Spartans' ability to develop young talent like Carr and Fears bodes well for their chances of making a push for the national championship.

The details

In the second-round matchup, Michigan State jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the game. Carr, a sophomore forward, posted a dominant double-double performance, while freshman point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. orchestrated the Spartans' offense with 16 assists. The win extends Michigan State's streak of Sweet 16 appearances under Izzo, who has led the program to 8 Final Fours and 2 national titles during his 27-year tenure.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • This was the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The players

Coen Carr

A sophomore forward for Michigan State University who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Louisville.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

A freshman point guard for Michigan State University who dished out 16 assists to lead the Spartans' offense.

Tom Izzo

The head coach of the Michigan State University men's basketball team, who has led the Spartans to 17 Sweet 16 appearances during his 27-year tenure.

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What they’re saying

“Our young guys really stepped up today. Coen and Jeremy played with poise beyond their years, and that was the difference in the game.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State University

What’s next

Michigan State will face the winner of the second-round matchup between Gonzaga and UCLA in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

Michigan State's ability to develop talented underclassmen like Carr and Fears has been a key factor in the program's sustained success under Tom Izzo. The Spartans' Sweet 16 appearance marks another step in their quest for a third national championship under Izzo's leadership.