Amanda Knapp
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team has a rich history of success, including two national championships (1979 and 2000) and 38 NCAA Tournament appearances. In March 2025, the Spartans continued their winning ways, defeating Bryant 87-62 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. This was followed by a second-round victory over New Mexico, propelling them into the Sweet 16 for the 16th time in the program's history. Led by senior guard Jaden Akins and freshman guard Jase Richardson, the Spartans have consistently demonstrated their basketball prowess.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Michigan State Spartans Men's Basketball Team | MSU |
| Game Date | March 23, 2025 |
| Opponent | New Mexico |
| Game Type | Second-round NCAA tournament game |
| MSU Seed | No. 2 |
| New Mexico Seed | No. 10 |
| MSU Score | 87 |
| New Mexico Score | 62 |
| MSU's Previous Opponent | Bryant |
| MSU's Previous Score | 87 |
| Bryant's Previous Score | 62 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Michigan State Spartans' 2025 NCAA Tournament performance
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team made its 27th straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. The Spartans entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the South region, with a record of 28-6. In the first round, they defeated the No. 15 seed Bryant 87-62. Coen Carr came off the bench to score a career-high 18 points and grab nine rebounds. This was followed by a win against the No. 10 seed New Mexico Lobos in the second round. The Spartans cruised to an 87-62 victory over Bryant in the first round, and New Mexico defeated Marquette 75-66 in their first game. The Spartans then advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time under coach Tom Izzo, where they faced the N.C. State women's team and lost 83-49.
The Spartans had a successful history in the NCAA Tournament, with 38 appearances and a record of 73-36 prior to 2025. They had reached the Final Four ten times (1957, 1979, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2019) and won the NCAA Championship in 1979 and 2000. The Spartans were led by senior guard Jaden Akins and freshman guard Jase Richardson, who averaged 12.6 and 12.1 points per game, respectively.
The 2024-25 season also marked a few firsts for the Spartans. It was the first time since 2021 that they had a transfer join the team, with Szymon Zapala transferring from Utah State. Additionally, the Spartans received their first commit in the 2025 recruiting class when four-star small forward Jordan Scott announced his commitment.
Seton Hall's Victory: A Recap and Review
You may want to see also
Explore related products
MSU's 27 consecutive tournament appearances
Michigan State University's (MSU) basketball team has an impressive record of 27 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament as of 2025. This feat is a Big Ten record and the second-longest active streak in the NCAA, only behind Kansas' 28 consecutive appearances. MSU's streak includes 10 trips to the Final Four and two NCAA Championship wins in 1979 and 2000.
The MSU Spartans men's basketball team, led by head coach Tom Izzo, has consistently performed well in the tournament. Izzo extended his record by coaching his team to 27 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2023, he became the first men's basketball head coach to lead his team to 25 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Izzo has guided the Spartans to eight Final Four appearances, with a majority of his recruiting classes experiencing a trip to the Final Four.
The MSU Spartans have a rich history in NCAA basketball, with their first championship win coming in 1979 under coach Jud Heathcote and a team led by Magic Johnson. The Spartans won their second championship in 2000, with Mateen Cleeves and Morris Peterson leading the team to victory. In addition to their two championship wins, the Spartans have also finished as national runners-up in 2009, losing to North Carolina in the championship game.
MSU's streak of 27 consecutive tournament appearances is a testament to the program's consistency and success. The Spartans have a strong winning percentage, ranking ninth-best all-time in NCAA Tournament play. Their 73 total victories as of 2023 rank sixth all-time, showcasing their dominance over the years. The team's success has continued into 2025, with the Spartans earning a No. 2 seed in the South Region, their highest seed since 2019.
Tennessee's Basketball Triumph: A Memorable Victory
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Michigan State's 1979 national championship win
The 1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game was held on March 26 at the Special Events Center (now the Jon M. Huntsman Center) in Salt Lake City, Utah. Michigan State faced the Indiana State Sycamores, who were coached by the renowned Larry Bird. This game was particularly notable as it was the first and last tournament until 2019 to feature a pair of first-time finalists.
Michigan State's road to the final had seen them overcome a mid-season slump, during which they lost four out of six games. However, they bounced back strongly, winning 10 straight games, including victories over four ranked opponents, en route to capturing the Big Ten title. In the NCAA tournament, the Spartans defeated Lamar, LSU, Notre Dame, and Pennsylvania to book their place in the championship game.
The national championship game itself was a tightly contested affair. Sophomore Magic Johnson, who had been instrumental in the team's success, committed a travelling violation by making contact with Indiana State's Brad Miley after the opening tip-off. Indiana State scored the first basket, but Michigan State fought back, and the game remained close in the early stages. Johnson showcased his talent, posting 29 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in a stellar individual performance. Ultimately, Michigan State emerged victorious with a final score of 75-64, claiming their first national championship in school history.
This win cemented the legacy of the 1979 Michigan State Spartans, who would go on to be honoured for their achievement in the years to come.
LSU Basketball's Winning Streak: What's Their Secret?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
MSU's 2023 Sweet 16 performance
Michigan State University's men's basketball team, the Spartans, made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019. They beat the No. 2 seed Marquette Golden Eagles 69-60 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. This was their 15th appearance in the Sweet 16 under head coach Tom Izzo, who now holds the record for the most wins as a lower seed by a head coach in NCAA Tournament history.
Three players scored in double figures for the Spartans, led by senior guard Tyson Walker's game-high 23 points. Graduate forward Joey Hauser registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard A.J. Hoggard finished with 13 points and four assists. Junior center Mady Sissoko also had a notable performance, collecting 10 rebounds and scoring eight points.
The Spartans closed the game on a 13-5 run, with Marquette ending its season with a 29-7 record. Michigan State led 33-28 at halftime, but the Golden Eagles scored the first eight points of the second half to take a 36-33 lead. The Spartans responded with a 7-3 run and took a 40-39 lead on a jumper from Walker with 13:20 left. After David Joplin's 3-pointer gave Marquette a 42-40 lead, the Spartans went on a 8-0 run to take a 48-42 advantage with eight minutes to play. Marquette cut the lead to one point at 56-55 with 3:36 remaining, but the Spartans bounced back with a 10-0 run to seal the victory.
In the Sweet 16, the Spartans faced the Kansas State Wildcats in New York City on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The game went into overtime, with Kansas State ultimately winning 98-93.
Kirtland Broncos: Basketball Champions or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Michigan Wolverines' 2025 NCAA Tournament performance
The Michigan Wolverines entered the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the Big Ten Champs with a 25-9 record. They were projected to be a No. 3 or No. 4 seed, but their trajectory could change depending on the results of their final two games of the regular season and the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
The Wolverines' first game of the NCAA Tournament was against the UC San Diego Tritons, who were making their first-ever appearance in the tournament. Michigan was predicted to win this game, but their unique style of offense meant that the Wolverines were on upset watch.
Michigan had been winning games against top competition and had won three straight games in the Big Ten Tournament. Vlad Goldin led Michigan's scoring with 16.7 points per game, while Tre Donaldson had averaged 12 points in the Big Ten Tournament, including a game-winning layup against Maryland in the semis.
Despite their strong performance leading up to the tournament, historical KenPom data suggested that the Wolverines were unlikely to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Arrowhead Boys Basketball: Champions or Contenders?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team beat New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Michigan State Spartans beat New Mexico Lobos 87-62.
Michigan State has made 38 NCAA Tournament appearances, with 2025 marking their 27th straight year.
