Michigan State wins late-night NCAA Tournament opener

Michigan State's NCAA Tournament game on Friday night turned into an early Saturday morning event. The No. 2 seed Spartans secured an 87-62 win against Bryant. The game started late, at 10:12 p.m. in Cleveland, and by the time the players finished interviews and packed up, it was after 1 a.m. when they got back to their hotel. Coach Tom Izzo wasted no time. After the game, he held a film session to prepare for the next opponent, No. 10 New Mexico, whom they will face on Sunday. Izzo is known for his quick turnarounds, having led Michigan State to 27 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the longest active streak in the country. Players like Jeremy Fears mentioned the challenge of winding down after a late game. Despite feeling energized, most struggled to fall asleep immediately. They were able to sleep in a bit, but the focus turned quickly to how to beat New Mexico. The Spartans have experience with quick game turnarounds. Earlier in the season, they played three games in three days at the Maui Invitational. They've also dealt with late games before. Jase Richardson noted that preparation is key, especially since this stage of the tournament requires more focus than regular-season games. Michigan State hopes their depth will help them keep up with New Mexico's fast-paced game. The team regularly plays ten players, allowing for fresh legs. Richardson emphasized the importance of good defense in transition to avoid easy points for the Lobos. With one win needed to reach the Sweet 16, the pressure is on. The players know a trip to Atlanta is at stake, and tiredness is not an option for them. Coen Carr said, “We’ve got a lot to play for, we’re trying to make a deep run in this tournament.”