UConn survives late scare
UConn survived a furious Michigan State comeback attempt to advance — the Huskies’ composure in the final minutes kept them moving through the bracket. Analysts flagged UConn’s defense and late‑game execution as the deciding factors. (cbssports.com) (espn.com)
UConn beat Michigan State 67-63 in the Sweet 16 at Capital One Arena in Washington on March 27, 2026, improving the Huskies to 32-5 while Michigan State fell to 27-8. (espn.com) Tarris Reed Jr. led UConn with 20 points and Alex Karaban added 17, with Reed — a 59% foul shooter this season — making all four of his free throws in the final minute. (espn.com) Michigan State erased an early 19-point deficit and mounted an 18-4 run that gave them a 45-44 lead in the second half, but the Spartans shot just 4-of-16 from three and could not complete the comeback. (foxsports.com) UConn shot 24-of-52 from the floor and made 9-of-21 from three, while the Huskies hit 13-of-18 free throws down the stretch to close out the game. (espn.com) The final-minute sequence: Reed hit two free throws with 44.8 seconds left, Jeremy Fears Jr. answered with two for MSU at 32.3, Karaban sank both ends of a one-and-one with 22.5 seconds remaining, and a missed intentional second free throw by Carson Cooper set up Reed’s rebound and two foul shots to seal the win. (espn.com) UConn advances to the East regional final to face top-seeded Duke on Sunday, March 29, 2026, for a trip to the Final Four. (espn.com)
