Michigan and Michigan State are moving on to the Sweet 16 after their recent victories. The Wolverines secured a 95-72 win against Saint Louis. Michigan State marched on to the Sweet 16 with a win over Louisville.
Michigan’s Dominant Second Half
Michigan pulled away in the second half of its game against Saint Louis to advance to its 16th Sweet 16. The Billikens kept up with the Wolverines in the first half and early in the second. Michigan’s shooting, at 55.7% from the field, and defense forced Saint Louis to take a significant number of 3s. Saint Louis struggled to make them fall, going 10-for-32 from deep.
Yaxel Lendeborg led Michigan. Lendeborg scored 25 points. He became the first Michigan player with 25-plus points and no turnovers in an NCAA tournament game since Glen Rice in 1989. Michigan outrebounded the Billikens 42-27.
The Wolverines had nine blocks. This is their most in an NCAA tournament game since blocks were first tracked in 1985-86. Michigan is now the first Big Ten team to record back-to-back NCAA tournament games with 90-plus points since title-winning 1989 Michigan.
Michigan State’s Record-Breaking Performance
Jeremy Fears Jr. cemented his place in Michigan State history as the Spartans marched on to the Sweet 16 with a win over Louisville. Fears became the first Big Ten player in the last 50 years with 27 dishes over a two-game NCAA tournament span. He passed Michigan State’s Magic Johnson, who had 25 in the 1979 Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. Fears’ 16 assists also is the most by a Big Ten player in an NCAA tournament game in the last 50 years.
Coen Carr also played a significant role in the win, recording his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. He joins Carson Cooper, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds against North Dakota State in the first round. They became the first Michigan State duo with 20-point double-doubles in an NCAA tournament since 1979, when Johnson and Greg Kelser achieved the feat.
The absence of guard Mikel Brown Jr. caught up to Louisville. Michigan State was able to limit the Cardinals’ offense. Louisville also sent Michigan State to the foul line a significant amount. The Spartans made 14 of 19, while the Cardinals were 4-of-6 from the line.
With Michigan and Michigan State advancing, the Big Ten conference is well-represented in the Sweet 16.