UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks as Michigan State forward Cameron Ward (3) defends during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn men’s basketball is moving on in the NCAA Tournament, surviving a thrilling Sweet 16 battle against Michigan State 67-63 in Washington, D.C. on Friday evening.
The Huskies were angling for a riot out of the gates, cashing in on six of their first seven attempts from 3-point range to take a commanding 3-point lead. However, a 3-for-14 stretch from deep followed for UConn, allowing Michigan State to take a second-half lead, but some clutch late free throws from Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. helped secure the win.Â
Article continues below this ad
Here’s a look back at Friday’s Sweet 16 action:
Michigan State’s Laettner heave was broken up, Alex Karaban secured the loose ball, and UConn is moving on to the Elite Eight against Duke on Sunday!
The UConn center entered Friday’s game as just a 58% free-throw shooter, but he’s made all four of his foul shots down the stretch here. The most recent pair gives UConn a 67-63 lead with 4.0 seconds left, all but securing the UConn win.Â
Article continues below this ad
The Huskies forced Michigan State into a long possession that resulted in a missed 3-pointer. UConn was ultimately whistled for a loose-ball foul with four seconds remaining, leading 65-62.
Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler, right, shoots over UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 22: Tarris Reed Jr. #5 of the UConn Huskies celebrates with Alex Karaban #11 against the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn guard Solo Ball (1) motions after a basket against Michigan State during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn guard Malachi Smith (0) shoots over Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn forward Jaylin Stewart (3) reacts after scoring during the first half against Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr/Associated Press
UConn forward Jayden Ross (23) talks with UConn head coach Dan Hurley during the first half against Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr/Associated Press
UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) shoots over Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) and forward Jordan Scott (6) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) drives past UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) drives as Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) defends during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr., right, drives past UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) celebrates a three pointer against Michigan State during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks as Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) looks on during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
UConn guard Solo Ball (1) and Michigan State guard Kur Teng (2) chase down a loose ball during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
Karaban’s first free throws of the night came at a crucial time, but the star senior knocked down both. UConn leads 65-62 with 22 seconds left.
Article continues below this ad
Jeremy Fears knocked down a pair of free throws to bring Michigan State within one, as Tom Izzo calls timeout. The Spartans will look to force a turnover or foul on the ensuing inbound. UConn has two timeouts and the possession arrow.Â
The Michigan transfer’s free-throw woes have plagued UConn all season long, but Reed knocked down the two most important foul shots of his career to give UConn a 63-60 lead with 44.8 seconds left.Â
Article continues below this ad
UConn’s senior star isn’t ready to go home yet! Karaban stepped into a 30-foot jump shot and swished it, giving UConn a 61-57 lead with 1:37 to play.Â
Carson Cooper has been ravaging the rim lately, throwing down yet another dunk over Tarris Reed Jr. to pull the Spartans within one. UConn leads 58-57 with 1:55 to play.
Article continues below this ad
Smith’s fourth steal of the game comes at a crucial time, giving UConn possession with a 58-55 lead and 2:41 remaining.Â
As the clock nears midnight, Friday’s game is begging for an early-morning hero. UConn leads Michigan State with 3:08 remaining and will inbound under the opposing basket after the final media timeout.Â
Article continues below this ad
UConn forward Alex Karaban (11) and Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) battle for the ball during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
Michigan State has not scored in nearly three minutes since taking its first lead of the second half. Meanwhile, Solo Ball has continued to shake off his slump, scoring UConn’s last four points to give the Huskies a 55-49 lead with 5:15 to play.
The intensity has ratcheted up in Washington, D.C., as UConn’s early 19-point lead has withered away to allow for a blockbuster finish in the Sweet 16. UConn leads 51-49, with a Silas Demary Jr. turnover triggering the under-8 timeout.
Article continues below this ad
With UConn mired in a 3-point shooting slump, its senior leader Alex Karaban stepped up with a massive triple to give UConn a 51-47 lead with 8:30 remaining.Â
Entering crunch time, there have been four lead changes in as many possessions. Tarris Reed delivered the latest scoring punch, as his hook shot gives UConn a 48-47 lead with 9 minutes to play.Â
Article continues below this ad
After leading by 19 in the first half, Michigan State has finally pulled even after a Jaxson Kohler and-one finish. The game is tied at 44 with 10:06 remaining, as Kohler can give Sparty the lead with the ensuing free throw.
Jayden Ross was unable to convert a fast-break layup attempt, and after an ensuing loose ball, possession was initally awarded to Michigan State. However, Dan Hurley elected to challenge the call, and video review indicated that the ball touched off Carson Cooper’s foot. UConn leads 44-40 with 11 minutes to play.Â
Article continues below this ad
Karaban, known for his offensive contributions, has now recorded two blocks in a matter of 35 seconds. The power forward held his ground on a Cam Ward postup before attacking the shooting pocket of a Michigan State 3-point shooter on the next possession.Â
Make CT Insider a preferred source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.
Add Preferred Source
UConn leads 42-37 with 14:34 left to play.
Article continues below this ad
UConn was in the midst of a four-minute scoring drought, watching another possession wither away as Michigan State’s 19-point deficit had been trimmed to one. With just a couple of seconds remaining on the shot clock, Braylon Mullins hoisted an off-balance shot with his body facing the UConn bench — nothing but net!Â
Tarris Reed Jr. answered with a steal and a dunk on UConn’s next possession, and the Huskies lead is up to 40-34 with 15:17 remaining.Â
Carr’s famed athleticism is helping Michigan State’s comeback effort on both ends, coming out of nowhere to sway away a certain Tarris Reed Jr. dunk. The forward then drained a jumper on the Spartans’ next possession and UConn’s lead, once as high as 19, has dwindled to three early in the second half.Â
Article continues below this ad
UConn will inbound to begin the second half, looking to finish off Michigan State and advance to the Elite Eight.Â
Michigan State ended the half on an extended 21-10 run, turning what was shaping up to be a UConn riot back into a competitive ballgame. Solo Ball snapped his shooting skid with a pair of first-half 3-pointers, tied with Tarris Reed Jr. for a team-high eight points, while Malachi Smith has chipped in with four assists and two steals off the bench.Â
Article continues below this ad
The UConn coach wants to talk it over, as the Huskies’ 19-point lead has been nearly cut in half. UConn leads 33-23 with two minutes remaining in the first half.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley reacts during the first half against Michigan State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr/Associated Press
Tarris Reed is beginning to establish himself in Friday’s game after spectating an early 3-point barrage, scoring the last six points for UConn. Reed has eight points and three assists, with the opportunity for more via an and-one free throw when play resumes.Â
Article continues below this ad
The Dayton transfer is starring on both ends, swiping his second steal of the game and immediately sparking a fast break that culminated in his fourth assist of the night. UConn leads 31-16 with 4:20 remaining in the first half.Â
Demary Jr. has just two points in Friday’s game, but playing through a twisted ankle, he’s neutralized the puppetmaster of Michigan State’s offense. Jeremy Fears leads the nation in assists, but the Spartans point guard has zero through 12 minutes of action and is just 1-6 from the field.
Article continues below this ad
UConn leads 27-12 at the under-8 media timeout. Â
UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. (2) drives past Michigan State guard Kur Teng during the first half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press
After a scintillating 21-2 run, Michigan State has staggered back to its feet, snapping a 0-14 shooting skid and stringing together a mini 6-0 run. Meanwhile, UConn’s offense has now gone quiet for the last two minutes, as Eric Reibe went 0-2 at the free-throw line while Braylon Mullins missed a pair of layups.
Article continues below this ad
UConn leads 25-12 with eight minutes until halftime. Â
Junior wing Jaylin Stewart just checked in for the first time in nearly a month after returning from injury. But when the shooting bug is this contagious, no warmup is needed. Stewart rattled home his first attempt from the left corner, as UConn is now shooting 5-6 from 3-point range and leads 21-6.Â
Everything is falling for the Huskies right now — even Solo Ball 3-pointers. The embattled junior guard swished a long-range shot from the right wing, giving UConn an 18-6 lead and forcing a Tom Izzo timeout at the 12:00 mark.
Article continues below this ad
The Dayton transfer has continued to step up this tournament with Silas Demary Jr. rehabilitating from a sprained ankle, drilling UConn’s most recent 3-pointer. UConn is now 3-4 from 3-point range and leads 13-5 with 13 minutes left until halftime.
Michigan State has already racked up seven offensive rebounds in as many minutes of action, but the Spartans have been unable to capitalize on these opportunities. They’ve managed just two second chance points, while shooting 2-13 from the floor.
Article continues below this ad
The UConn defense led a dominant second-half effort against UCLA last weekend, and the Huskies have been similarly suffocating to start Friday’s game. Michigan State has missed six-straight field goals, as UConn leads 8-4.Â
UConn faced well-documented shooting struggles to begin this tournament, but the Huskies are hot early against the Spartans. Alex Karaban opened UConn’s account from long range, later turning provider for a Braylon Mullins corner 3-pointer.Â
Article continues below this ad
Huskies lead 6-4 after three minutes of play.Â
controls the opening tip, and we are underway from the nation’s capital.Â
Article continues below this ad
The CBS Sports studio crew is looking forward to Friday’s matchup between a pair of accomplished head coaches in Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo, with Kenny Smith proposing that the two tacticians should play 1-on-1 if the game goes to overtime.Â
“I would love to change the rules. If it goes to overtime — Coach Izzo vs. Hurley 1 on 1” 🤣
Kenny Smith loves the fiery demeanors of both coaches in MSU vs UConn pic.twitter.com/xUtCFGCKWQ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 28, 2026
Due to a prolonged finish between Duke and St. John’s, the UConn game is now slated to tip-off at approximately 9:55 p.m. ET.
Article continues below this ad
The Blue Devils erased a 10-point deficit in the second half to survive St. John’s 80-75. Expect a short delay in the scheduled 9:45 p.m. tip-off time for UConn-Michigan State.
The officials for Friday’s matchup with Michigan State are as follows: James Breeding, Keith Kimble, AJ Desai
Article continues below this ad
David Borges: “In case Friday night’s Sweet 16 battle isn’t enough (or, for that matter, their exhibition game in Hartford last fall), the UConn men’s basketball team will face Michigan State yet again in October.
That exhibition, announced back in July as part of a home-and-home exhibition series, will take place in East Lansing, Michigan, likely around the same date (Oct. 28) that the Spartans played UConn at PeoplesBank Arena this past fall. It will be one of three exhibitions the Huskies will play prior to the 2026-27 season.”
Read more about UConn’s exhibition schedule for next year!
Article continues below this ad
The possibility of an all-Big East Elite Eight is shaping up after 20 minutes of play, as St. John’s leads 40-39 over Duke at halftime of the first East regional semifinal.
Injury updates dominated the pre-game discourse leading up to UConn’s first two NCAA Tournament games, but the Huskies have been blessed with a clean bill of health for the second weekend. Jaylin Stewart is listed as fully healthy for the first time in over a month, while Silas Demary Jr. continues to regain mobility after spraining his ankle in the Big East Tournament.Â
Article continues below this ad
The first game from Washington, D.C. has tipped off, as St. John’s looks to pull off an upset over top-seeded Duke.
Friday’s matchup will air on CBS, with tip-off set for 9:45 p.m. ET. It will also be available on the radio via the UConn Sports Network, Fox Sports Radio 97.9 and a series of local affiliates.
Article continues below this ad
UConn and Michigan State got a taste of each other several months ago, with the Huskies pulling out an exhibition victory in Hartford last October. Tom Izzo’s squad certainly learned from this preseason setback, as his Spartans began the season on a 19-2 tear and currently sit at No. 9 in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rankings, one spot ahead of UConn.Â
The Spartans are arguably the best rebounding team in the country, ranked inside the top 10 nationally on the offensive and defensive glass, an alarming makeup for a UConn defense that has struggled to close out possessions at times this year. Michigan State’s offense revolves around Jeremy Fears, who leads the nation in assist rate, while Kur Teng and Jaxson Kohler have emerged as reliable 3-point weapons.Â
Article continues below this ad
The Huskies opened as 1.5-point underdogs but currently sit as 2.5-point favorites hours before tip-off. UConn has a 54% chance to win Friday’s game, according to ESPN analytics and prediction market Kalshi, the lowest odds of any higher seed in the Sweet 16 round.Â