Tom Izzo, Michigan State Pick Up Another First-round Win In March Madness, Topping Mississippi State

CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Tyson Walker scored 19 factors and Michigan State coach Tom Izzo picked up his twentieth win within the first spherical of the NCAA Tournament as his ninth-seeded Spartans beat eighth-seeded Mississippi State 69-51 on Thursday.

Michigan State improved to 20-6 in March Madness openers beneath Izzo, who’s making his twenty sixth straight NCAA Tournament look — an NCAA Division I file for a coach at one faculty.

Jaden Akins added 15 factors and 7 rebounds and Mailk Hall scored 10 factors for the Spartans (20-14), who’ll face both top-seeded North Carolina or No. 16 seed Wagner on Saturday.

Freshman Josh Hubbard scored 15 factors for the Bulldogs (21-14), who haven’t received an NCAA Tournament recreation since 2021. Hubbard had simply two factors within the second half.

Both groups entered the event having misplaced 5 of seven video games.

The Spartans, who led wire to wire, pushed the tempo early and jumped out to an 20-8 lead after hitting 4 of seven pictures from past the arc, together with two from Walker.

The Bulldogs closed the hole to seven at halftime behind Hubbard, who had 13 factors within the first half. But the Spartans started to drag away early within the second half, extending the result in 14 behind Walker, who completed 7 of 12 from the sector.

Down by double digits halfway by way of the second half, the Bulldogs went to a half-court lure and located some success at first, turning over the Spartans twice. But Michigan State settled down. Xavier Booker and Tre Holloman hit 3s earlier than Walker related on one other 3 from the suitable wing to push the result in 17 with lower than 5 minutes to go.

While the Spartans have been pulling down pictures, the Bulldogs struggled to transform doubtlessly simple baskets in transition.

Even because the Bulldogs have been making an attempt to make a late comeback, the Spartans corralled two offensive rebounds to maintain possessions alive and burn day off the clock.

BIG PICTURE

Michigan State: The Spartans’ perimeter protection was suspect coming into the sport, however they held the Bulldogs to 6-of-27 taking pictures from past the arc.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs wished to play at a slower tempo, however have been pressured to hurry up after falling behind early. Poor taking pictures damage, however so did a scarcity of rebounding. They have been beat 35-29 on the glass.

UP NEXT

If the Tar Heels advance to the second spherical, they are going to have a big home-court benefit over Michigan State. UNC’s residence area is lower than a two-hour drive away.

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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)