Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament
For the second time in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Michigan State basketball took a major punch in the first half from a feisty opponent but was able to pull away in the second half. In the Round of 32, the Spartans beat New Mexico 71 to 63 after going into halftime down to the Lobos.
Below, you can see our three key takeaways from the game:
Tom Izzo adding Coen Carr to starting lineup in the second half was brilliant
After heading into halftime down two to New Mexico, the Spartans emerged in the second half with a different opening lineup. Tom Izzo made the decision to switch out Jaxon Kohler for Coen Carr at power forward. There was one very clear reason why he did this: Mustapha Amzil. Amzil went off for 12 points in the first half when being guarded by Kohler, so Izzo put one of his lockdown defenders, Coen Carr, in the game to shut him down. Amzil only scored two more points the rest of the game, and Coen Carr added eight points, six rebounds, and a massive block along with his defense.
MSU's veteran guards lead the way
In a night where freshman phenom Jase Richardson struggled from the field, Michigan State was carried on the offensive end by their veteran guards Tre Holloman and Jaden Akins. Those two led the Spartans in scoring with a combined 30 points, hitting the Spartans' only made three-pointers on the night.
Frankie Fidler was a hero for MSU in this win
Frankie Fidler might not be the 20-point-per-game scorer some hoped to see this year, but he has been a vital piece off the bench, routinely helping the Spartans find some steady scoring when things get tight. While he hasn't shot the ball well this year, he has found a great role in the offense with his willingness to drive to the basket and draw contact. Fidler had 10 points in this one.
Carson Cooper might deserve a starting spot
No matter what, I know that Carson Cooper will end up getting minutes every game with the way MSU uses their center rotation, but I am starting to wonder if Cooper has earned a starting spot for the rest of the tournament. He is very active on defense, sets good screens on offense, and has been rebounding the ball really well (he had a team-high eight rebounds against New Mexico and nine rebounds against Bryant). It might be time to give him the honor of starting the game at center.
I am not worried about Jase Richardson
Jase Richardson had one of his worst games as a starter against New Mexico, only scoring six points on 1-for-10 shooting. However, I am not concerned about Richardson. For one, he scored 15 points against Bryant and looked unbelievable in the second half of that win. But I also think it was clear that New Mexico was overplaying Richardson, and playing him very physically, to try and make other Spartans beat them instead. Even as he struggled to make shots, Richardson played a huge role in putting New Mexico in foul trouble, as the Lobos ended up committing twice as many fouls as MSU.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five takeaways from Michigan State's March Madness win over New Mexico
| 2d 7:30 AM ET ago |
Topics
-
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over Oregon in the Big Ten Tournament
Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over OregonYahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Three takeaways from Michigan State basketball's win over Bryant in the NCAA Tournament
Three takeaways from Michigan State's win over Bryant in the NCAA TournamentYahoo Sports - 4d -
Five takeaways from Michigan basketball's huge win over Texas A&M to advance to Sweet 16
Our five takeaways from the Wolverines' big win in Denver in the NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Iowa State basketball: 3 takeaways from the Cyclones' NCAA Tournament win over Lipscomb
Iowa State opened up its NCAA Tournament journey with a first-round win over Lipscomb. Here are three takeaways from March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball's 71-63 win over New Mexico to reach the Sweet 16
Columnist Graham Couch gives his thoughts on MSU's performance and win over New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA tournament with 3 quick takes.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Five takeaways from Michigan basketball's Big Ten Tournament win over Purdue
What happened and what we took away from Michigan basketball's surprising win over Purdue.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Five takeaways from Michigan basketball's close win over UC San Diego in NCAA Tournament
What we gleaned from the Wolverines' slight victory over the Tritons.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Takeaways from Wisconsin's thrilling Big Ten Tournament win over Michigan State
Wisconsin basketball advanced to the Big Ten Tournament final with a heart-stopping 77-74 win over Michigan State on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Michigan State vs New Mexico prediction: Who has edge in NCAA tournament second round
Here's a first look at Michigan State basketball's matchup against New Mexico in second round of NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
One step closer: Grand Valley holds off Pittsburg State to reach NCAA Division II finals
Grand Valley State with a big fourth quarter to reach the NCAA Division II women's basketball championship.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
J.J. Watt to be in broadcast booth in 2025 for CBS
After two years as a studio analyst, J.J. Watt will call games for CBS in the broadcast booth in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Griezmann set to continue at Atletico Madrid despite MLS links
French forward Antoine Griezmann is determined to continue at Atletico Madrid despite speculation over his future.Diario AS reports that Griezmann’s representatives held positive talks with Spanish ...Yahoo Sports - 34m -
Loyola coach Drew Valentine believes Ramblers’ win to get to NIT semifinal makes ‘a statement about our program’
Loyola received a bonus home game this season on Wednesday, courtesy of their run through the National Invitation Tournament, and the Ramblers once again didn’t disappoint at Gentile Arena in front ...Yahoo Sports - 45m -
Prep roundup: Corona gets eighth shutout in nine games; La Mirada topples Huntington Beach
Seth Hernandez struck out 13 in Corona's 5-0 win over Santa Margarita.Yahoo Sports - 47m
More in Sports
-
MLB predictions: From playoffs and World Series to MVPs and Cy Youngs
Can the Dodgers repeat? Who will win MVP? Our experts make their predictions for the 2025 season.ESPN - 5m -
One step closer: Grand Valley holds off Pittsburg State to reach NCAA Division II finals
Grand Valley State with a big fourth quarter to reach the NCAA Division II women's basketball championship.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
J.J. Watt to be in broadcast booth in 2025 for CBS
After two years as a studio analyst, J.J. Watt will call games for CBS in the broadcast booth in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Griezmann set to continue at Atletico Madrid despite MLS links
French forward Antoine Griezmann is determined to continue at Atletico Madrid despite speculation over his future.Diario AS reports that Griezmann’s representatives held positive talks with Spanish ...Yahoo Sports - 34m -
Women's Sweet 16 rankings: UConn is No. 1, USC holds tight at No. 4
The Sweet 16 is set, and there's a new No. 1. But all eyes are on USC and injured JuJu Watkins.ESPN - 41m