Similar to an experienced hiker traversing a familiar trail, the Michigan State Spartans find themselves in their comfort zone – the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
In a rare turn of events, the Spartans are making a big splash in March Madness this year. It’s been six years since they last made it to the round of 16 as anything higher than a No. 4 seed, and it’s only the second time in history. Tom Izzo, the team’s coach, has achieved an impressive feat by guiding his team to the Sweet 16 for the 15th time in his 28 seasons.
The Spartans’ chances are favored by Michigan sportsbooks for their Sweet 16 game against Kansas State. MSU is listed on the moneyline and against the spread. The game is set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, and will be televised on TBS.
The true extent of our memories from this tournament run will remain uncertain until the Spartans reach the Elite 8 or Final Four. However, it is undeniable that MSU has a long-standing tradition of delivering remarkable performances during March Madness. Here, we assess the greatest Sweet 16 moments achieved by a Michigan State men’s team.
2003: Late heroics from Paul Davis topple defending champ Maryland
Did a freshman ever make such a significant impact on the Spartans? During a closely contested defensive battle against the Maryland Terrapins (the reigning national champions), MSU found themselves relying on the surprising offensive skills of Paul Davis, a 6-foot-11 center hailing from Rochester, Mich.
With less than a minute remaining and down by four points, Davis managed to catch a pass near the basket and executed a powerful slam dunk, resulting in a tie game at 58. After a crucial defensive play, Michigan State organized their offense, and Davis found himself in possession of the ball near the baseline with less than 10 seconds left on the game clock.
With two Maryland defenders in his way, he aggressively dashed towards the basket. In a swift motion, Davis skillfully leaned and twisted his massive physique, releasing a high-arcing shot off the backboard from a close distance of three feet. This incredible move resulted in a game-winning score with a mere 4.7 seconds remaining on the clock.
In East Lansing, the two baskets made by the 19-year old Davis during MSU’s loss to Texas in the Elite 8 continue to hold a legendary status.
2000: Second half adjustments against Syracuse
This story was about two contrasting halves. In the initial half, MSU struggled to score and also faced difficulties in transitioning, which allowed No. 4 Syracuse to freely dominate the court. The Orange took a 34-24 lead at halftime, leaving Izzo visibly frustrated as he made his way into the locker room.
Izzo must have chosen his words carefully, as the Spartans showed an incredible performance in the second half. Led by Morris Peterson, A.J. Granger, and Charlie Bell, the team effectively stifled Syracuse by making crucial defensive changes.
The Spartans showcased their defensive prowess in the last 20 minutes, limiting their opponent to a mere 24 points. This dominant performance paved the way for a resounding 17-point victory, resulting in a final score of 75-58, all of which unfolded on their home turf at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Fast-forward eleven days, and under the leadership of senior guard Mateen Cleaves, Izzo and his team triumphed over the Florida Gators in the national championship game, securing MSU’s second title.
1986: Clock malfunction in loss to Kansas
Despite not being the head coach, Tom Izzo had a peculiar role in this atypical game that took place in Kansas City.
With a little over two minutes remaining in the second half and a four-point lead in favor of MSU, the Kansas Jayhawks inbounded the ball. However, there was an issue with the clock operator as they failed to start the clock for approximately 15 seconds. Coach Izzo immediately informed head coach Jud Heathcote about the problem during the following dead ball. Taking advantage of the situation, Kansas managed to score a basket, reducing the lead by half. Nevertheless, MSU’s Scott Skiles calmly sank a free throw, restoring the lead to two points.
However, the officials failed to acknowledge the clock malfunction and made no effort to run down the time. As a result, Kansas managed to tie the score and defeat Skiles, who had an exceptional game with 20 points. This outcome left Izzo and the Spartan Nation feeling disappointed and frustrated.
2005: Alan Anderson’s bombs defeat Duke
In the Regional semifinal match against No. 1 seed Duke, Alan Anderson, a senior forward known for his lack of 3-point prowess, defied expectations by sinking an impressive 4 out of 5 shots from beyond the arc. This remarkable performance played a crucial role in the team’s 78-68 victory in Austin.
At halftime, the game was deadlocked, but the Spartan offense unleashed a barrage of long-range shots that propelled the team to take the lead around the 12-minute mark of the second half. The victory against the despised Duke squad granted Izzo and his team the opportunity to compete in the Elite 8 for the fifth time in just seven years. Unfortunately, MSU’s journey eventually came to an end in the Final Four, succumbing to North Carolina.
1979: Magic leads Spartans past LSU
In just a matter of seconds, as the Sweet 16 game commenced in Indianapolis, Magic Johnson made it abundantly clear that the LSU Tigers were in for an arduous and challenging evening.
Magic Johnson, with his signature bounce pass, assisted teammate Ron Charles for a simple layup after LSU’s initial miss. The Tigers were perplexed by Johnson’s cheerful determination to keep pushing the break. A point guard standing at 6-9 was unprecedented during that time.
With the dynamic duo of Charles and Greg Kelser leading the charge, the Spartans dominated the Tigers in the first half, securing a commanding 36-19 lead. Throughout the second half, their advantage never wavered below nine points, ultimately propelling MSU to the next round. Just over a week later, Magic Johnson and his teammates celebrated victoriously by cutting down the nets, having defeated Larry Bird and Indiana State in the National Finals.
2014: Keith Appling’s intentional miss knocks off No. 1 Virginia
The team, led by Keith Appling and Gary Harris, two determined guards and influential leaders, faced a challenging match against Virginia after defeating two less formidable opponents (Delaware and Harvard). Despite the test, the Spartans managed to establish a commanding lead of more than ten points with less than eight minutes remaining.
Despite a valiant effort from the Cavaliers, they managed to trim the deficit with a three-pointer in the final 1.1 seconds. Virginia then committed a foul on Appling, who confidently made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second to run out the clock. The Spartans celebrated a remarkable victory, although they would go on to lose their subsequent game against Connecticut.
