Game Analysis:

In the upcoming NCAA Tournament second-round matchup, the No. 2 seed Michigan State Spartans (28-6) will face the No. 10 seed New Mexico Lobos (27-7) on Sunday, March 23, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Michigan State advanced by defeating Bryant 87-62, showcasing a strong second-half performance. The Spartans are led by guard Jaden Akins, who averages 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, and freshman Jase Richardson, contributing 16.3 points and 4.5 rebounds over the last 10 games. Defensively, Michigan State excels, allowing 67.1 points per game and ranking sixth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. They also lead the nation in three-point percentage defense, holding opponents to 27.7% from beyond the arc.

New Mexico secured their spot by upsetting Marquette 75-66, led by Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent, who averages 20.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. The Lobos play at a fast pace, ranking fourth nationally in adjusted tempo, and average 81.1 points per game, which is 14 points higher than Michigan State allows. They also lead the Mountain West Conference in defensive rebounding, with Nelly Junior Joseph averaging 7.8 defensive rebounds per game. The matchup will hinge on Michigan State’s ability to control the tempo and leverage their defensive strengths against New Mexico’s high-scoring offense. The Spartans are favored by 7.5 points, but the Lobos’ dynamic offense presents a formidable challenge.