Big Ten still roaring
Michigan State handled Louisville with disciplined defense to reach the Sweet 16, while Michigan rolled past Saint Louis with every starter contributing — commentators flagged Michigan’s frontcourt depth as a matchup problem. Both wins underscore the Big Ten’s depth heading into the weekend. (youtube.com) (youtube.com)
Michigan State advanced with a 77-69 win over No. 6 Louisville, as Coen Carr delivered a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Spartans. (espn.com) Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. dished a Michigan State single-game NCAA Tournament record 16 assists in the victory, while the result marked the program’s 17th Sweet 16 under coach Tom Izzo. (msuspartans.com) Despite committing 15 turnovers, Michigan State allowed only 30 points off those miscues and held Louisville to roughly 41.3% shooting, a defensive clampdown that limited the Cards’ damage. (detroitnews.com) Top-seeded Michigan rolled to a 95-72 win over No. 9 Saint Louis, with Yaxel Lendeborg scoring a game-high 25 on 9-for-13 shooting and Aday Mara contributing 16 points. (africa.espn.com) For the first time since Jan. 5, 2025, all five Michigan starters reached double figures, and the Wolverines will await the winner of No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 5 Texas Tech for a Sweet 16 game Friday, March 27 at the United Center in Chicago. (mgoblue.com) National analysts have pointed to Michigan’s “uniquely jumbo” frontcourt—Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, three transfers who previously played center—as a persistent matchup problem that has helped push the program to a No. 1 ranking. (espn.ph)
