Michigan State basketball is taking on Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA tournament in Atlanta.
The Spartans, the No. 2 seed in the South region led by head coach Tom Izzo, defeated Bryant and New Mexico to advance to this stage. MSU is 29-6 overall and finished 17-3 in the Big Ten, winning the regular-season conference title. Freshman guard Jase Richardson is its top player.
The Rebels, the No. 6 seed and coached by Chris Beard, beat North Carolina and Iowa State in the first two rounds. They hold a 24-11 record and finished 10-8 in the SEC.
MSU is a 3½-point favorite over Ole Miss, with a potential matchup against either 1-seed Auburn or rival 5-seed Michigan in the Elite Eight awaiting Sunday afternoon.
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Michigan State vs Ole Miss score updates in March Madness
7:52, 2H: Michigan State cuts deficit and trails, 50-49
The Spartans have roared back again. Ole Miss has gone in a slump, hitting just 1 of its last 10 field-goal attempts. MSU, on the other hand , is heating up. The Spartans have converted four of their last five shots from the floor. The biggest? Jase Richardson’s three-pointer from the wing. Richardson now leads all scorers with 18 points and has made 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc.
11:40, 2H: Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 48-41
The Rebels have widened their lead to seven points, as Michigan State is struggling to generate consistent offense. The Spartans are shooting just 4 of 12 from the field in the second half and missed five consecutive shots before Coen Carr hit a jumper to make the score 48-41.
16:52, 2H: Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 42-39
The Spartans have drawn even multiple times. But Ole Miss has repeatedly regained the lead. Malik Dia connected on a three-pointer, getting a friendly set of bounces before the ball finally dropped through the net. Soon thereafter, Sean Pedulla swiped a pass a lazy pass from Jase Richardson and scored on a fast-break layup to give the Rebels a five-point cushion. Tre Holloman then hit a layup, and the Spartans now trail by three, 42-39.
Halftime stats: Michigan State trails, 33-31
For much of the first half, Ole Miss was in control. But the Spartans staged a late rally and now only trail by two points at the break. Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins hit a pair of three-pointers in the final 65 seconds to draw MSU within striking distance of the Rebels. MSU now holds the advantage in field-goal percentage (43% to 42%) and shots made from beyond the arc (5 to 4). Ole Miss, however, has outscored the Spartans, 18-10, in the paint. Richardson leads all players with 10 points.
1:09, 1H: Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 33-25
Jase Richardson and Coen Carr two three-pointers to shave MSU’s deficit down to six points. But Ole Miss, which has hit five of its last seven shots, has been able to keep the Spartans at bay.
3:52, 1H: Ole Miss opens double-digit lead
The Rebels leads, 29-19, after a 7-0 run. Matthew Murrell scored sive straight points and Jaemyn Brakefield scored on a fast break. MSU continues to play sloppy. The Spartans have committed seven turnovers. They also have struggled from the field, shooting 39%.
7:41, 1H: Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 22-14
The Rebels have continued to widen their lead. Ole Miss is playing sticky halfcourt defense nad has denied the Spartans second-chance opportunities. MSU has converted only four if its first 13 field-goal attempts and has secured only one offensive rebound. But two Ole Miss starters — Sean Pedulla and Dre Davis — already are saddled with two fouls.
11:09, 1H: Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 15-10
The Rebels missed their first five three-pointers. But they have started to heat up from the outside. Sean Pedulla drained two shots from beyond the arc, giving Ole Miss the early edge. MSU has missed all four of its three-pointers.
15:32, 1H: Tight game in the first five minutes
Ole Miss leads Michigan State, 6-4, heading into the first media timeout. The Spartans have turned the ball over three times and missed their first two shots. But they are starting to find their footing.
Coen Carr gets first career start in Georgia homecoming
Michigan State released its starting five. Sophomore forward Coen Carr, who is from Stockbridge, Ga. — a town located 20 miles outside Atlanta, the site of MSU’s Sweet Sixteen game — will make his first career start against Ole Miss. Here is a look at the rest of the starting lineup:
What channel is Michigan State vs Ole Miss on today? Where to watch, stream live
TV channel: CBS.
Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Watch on Fubo (free trial) | Paramount+.
Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Also available with a Paramount+ subscription.
THE GAME: MSU vs Ole Miss score prediction: Sweet 16 March Madness pick is in
Michigan State vs Ole Miss start time, location
Time: 7:09 p.m. ET.
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta.
Michigan State vs Ole Miss prediction for Sweet 16 game
Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press: Expect the Spartans to come out stronger than they did in their two games in Cleveland, with a premium put on avoiding a sluggish start because playing behind against Ole Miss won’t be an optimal position. Ball movement and communication will be key to avoiding turnovers, and Jase Richardson shakes off his clunker against New Mexico and the MSU big men attack the smaller Rebels in the paint to draw fouls and advance to what could be a historic Sunday in the Elite Eight. The pick: MSU 77, Mississippi 72.
Michigan State vs Ole Miss odds for Sweet 16 game
- Spread: Spartans by 3½.
- Over/under: 144½ points.
- Moneyline: Spartans -175; Rebels +145.
Odds provided by BetMGM on Friday afternoon.
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