Michigan State basketball in March Madness: Tom Izzo continues second game dominance

The emotional ride that has been Michigan State basketball this season will continue onto the second week of March Madness.

The 7-seed Spartans (21-12) are dancing to the Sweet 16 after knocking off 2-seed Marquette, 69-60, Sunday in the 2023 NCAA tournament second round at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. It will be MSU’s first trip to the Sweet 16 since 2019.

MSU was outscored from the 3-point line, 33-6, but Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard each scored clutch late-clock layups on back-to-back possessions for a 60-55 lead with 2:20 left, and Mady Sissoko blocked two shot attempts in the paint. MSU finished the game on a 13-5 run over the final 3:30.

Walker led the Spartans with 23 points and Joey Hauser added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

READ MORE:Michigan State’s Tom Izzo has his sensei back on the road. He’s savoring every moment.

MSU will meet 3-seed Kansas State (25-9) on Thursday in an East Region semifinal at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The winner moves onto Saturday’s Elite 8.

Here’s a sampling of reaction from social media:

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State’s Tom Izzo in 2nd game strikes again in NCAA tournament