Previewing UConn, Michigan State's Sweet 16 opponent
· Yahoo Sports
Michigan State basketball has advanced into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, gearing up for a Sweet 16 showdown against the UConn Huskies.
The Spartans, who beat Louisville 77-69 for their spot in the second weekend, and UConn, who beat UCLA 73-57, are squaring off in the nightcap on Friday in Washington D.C.
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This is a high-profile matchup between two of the country's best programs, and two head coaches that are among the game's best. This is also a rematch of a preseason exhibition between the two schools, where UConn won 76-69.
Ahead of Friday's Sweet 16 showdown, here is everything you need to know about UConn:
The School
Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Head Coach: Dan Hurley (8th season, 196–74)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 39 (last in 2025)
NCAA Tournament Record: 74–33
A historically dominant program, Hurley has brought UConn back to it's national prominence, having won two national championships in Storrs. A candidate for a No. 1 seed for most of the year, UConn is one of the best teams in the nation this season.
The Stats
Record: 31-5
KenPom rank: 10 out of 365
Points per game: 77.5 (135th in the country)
Points given up per game: 65.2 (11th in the country)
Offensive Rating (KenPom): 122.4 (No. 30 in the country)
Defensive Rating (KenPom): 94.0 (No. 11 in the country)
The Players
The starting five for UConn has been the steady force of offense for the majority of the season, with all five scoring in double figures, and no one on the bench having more than six points per game.
- Tarris Reed Jr., senior forward, 14.2 points per game
- Alex Karaban, senior forward, 13.3 points per game
- Solo Ball, junior guard, 13.0 points per game
- Braylon Mullins, freshman guard, 12.1 points per game
- Silas Demary, senior guard, 10.6 points per game
A very balanced attack from the Huskies, they have a very strong starting five that can beat teams at any position. The main contributors off of the bench come in 7-foot-1 freshman Eric Reibe to spell Reed, and a few different options at the wing. Do not be mistaken, though, this starting five will get the majority of the work.
Karaban, coming off of a career high against UCLA, will be the main focus of Tom Izzo's defensive game plan. UConn loves to go through their veteran four man, and he has held success in that role.
MSU vs. UConn history
Michigan State and UConn have played each other eight times in the two school's history, with the series being split at four apiece.
- 2021-22: Bahamas: MSU 64-60
- 2017-18: Portland: MSU 77-57
- 2013-14: New York: UConn 60-54
- 2012-13: Germany: UConn 66-62
- 2010-11: Maui: UConn 70-67
- 2008-09: Detroit: MSU 82-73
- 1999-2000: East Lansing: MSU 88-65
- 1998-99: Storrs: UConn 82-68
Summary
This is going to take a massive effort for the Spartans to advance into the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Tournament. UConn was thought to be a 1-seed for majority of the season, and with good reason. They are a team that has five different guys who can beat you on any given night, along with one of the best defenses in college basketball.
A game between UConn and MSU feels like it has a "race to 60" kind of vibe to it, and it will be a 12-round heavyweight fight between two of the sport's best coaches.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Previewing UConn, Michigan State's Sweet 16 opponent