ATLANTA– No. 2-seeded Michigan State received stellar performances from MSU freshman guard Jase Richardson and sophomore forward Coen Carr to vault the Spartans over the No-6 seeded Ole Miss Rebels, 73-70. 

MSU head coach Tom Izzo was impressed with his team’s response to the physicality of Ole Miss. 

“First of all, that team was the toughest, most physical defensive team that we’ve played in years,” Izzo said. “I love these guys because they kept grinding.” 

Richardson scored 20 points while taking eight shot attempts, which is quite an efficient feat from the freshman. 

“I knew I had to make it up to the guys, last game I basically sold it, so I knew I had to come in and make plays this game,” Richardson said.  

After a stagnant start to the game, Carr brought State Farm Arena alive with a thunderous second half dunk after a Jeremy Fears Jr. steal.  

“I was just trying to make it, I didn’t want to mess up his good steal and his highlight, because I think that’s his highlight,” Carr said.

Carr was placed into the starting lineup for the first time in his career, starting in front of his family in his return to his hometown.  

“I definitely was amped up,” Carr said. “To be honest I think it made me play a little worse, especially in that first part of the game. I definitely was hyped. I’ve got a lot of family that hasn’t seen me play in forever. So, yeah, it was definitely a great time.”  

The Spartans rallied in the second half, only committing three turnovers after playing sloppy in the first 20 minutes. 

“The real killer was the turnovers. We had turnovers, and they were kind of ridiculous turnovers, I think they had 92 points off turnovers, that was the difference in the game,” Izzo said.  

Rebels senior guard Sean Pedulla was the driving force behind the Rebels’ offense. When he was on the bench due to foul trouble, Chris Beard’s squad had trouble scoring.  

“He still had a good game, but I felt we kept him out of the paint a little better in the second half, and that’s the reason why we won,” Akins said. 

Pedulla’s 24-point performance wasn’t enough for the Rebels to advance, as the SEC has three teams in the Elite Eight. 

With the win, Izzo advanced to Elite Eight appearance No. 11 in his Hall of Fame career, the Spartans are 8-2 in those appearances. 

The Spartans will meet No. 1-seeded Auburn Tigers in the South Region Final, as tip-off is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 30.