...
By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Michigan State Spartans are bracing for a tough battle in the Sweet 16, with Tom Izzo's group facing Dan Hurley's UConn Huskies, a team that seemingly turns on a switch when March Madness arrives.
That was the case in the Huskies' recent tournament games, including a first-round win fueled by big man Taris Reed Jr.'s dominant double-double and historic performance, and a second-round victory powered by veteran player Alex Karaban during his final season with UConn.
This is also Izzo's 28th-straight appearance in the Big Dance, and he's shown his ability to succeed at this level before. Izzo teams have gone to the Final Four and won the championship throughout his tenure as head coach.
Read More on NCAA
Both teams were attempting to get several key players health once the tournament arrived, as they would need all available players for depth in this field of contending teams.
More news: Arizona AD Addresses Tommy Lloyd’s Future Amid UNC Coaching Rumors
...
Ahead of Friday night's matchup, Izzo provided an update on of his team's key reserves: guard Divine Ugochukwu. The sophmore had been trying to return to the court during March Madness, but Izzo indicated he would not be able to play against the UConn Huskies on Friday.
Early last month, Ugochukwu suffered a left foot injury in his team's 76-73 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A transfer from Miami this past season, he participated in 22 games with 12 starts and held averages of 5.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game for the Spartans.
He participated in an exhibition game involving Dan Hurley's Huskies back in late October in Hartford, Connecticut, which UConn won, but it didn't count towards either team's regular season record.
Izzo’s team advanced to their matchup against UConn with a 92-67 win over No. 14 seed North Dakota State in the first round, and then a 77-69 win over Louisville in the second round.
Carson Cooper and Coen Carr providing top-scoring performances in those games, with Fears racking up 27 assists across the two wins.
The Huskies were dealing with an injury concern for their starting guard, Silas Demary Jr., who didn't play in their first game. He returned against UCLA, coming off the bench to help the team during its second-round win over the Bruins.
Along with that, their reserve player, forward Jaylin Stewart, has been sidelined since last month with a knee injury, but Hurley seemed hopefuly he'd be able to return against the Spartans, or later in the tournament.
More news: UConn’s Dan Hurley Reveals Advice Tom Izzo Gave on Lakers Job
For more about college basketball, visit Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines