Recap: Michigan State advances to Sweet Sixteen with 69-60 win over Marquette

By Andrew Graham
Special to The Detroit News

It's a sweet Sunday for Michigan State (21-12) as the No. 7 seed Spartans upset No. 2 seed Marquette (29-7), 69-60, to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2019. It was a foul-filled, turnover-prone affair in which the Spartans made just 2-for-16 from beyond the arc — but as Tom Izzo coached teams so often do in March, Michigan State found a way.

Point guard Tyson Walker lead the way with 23 points as Joey Hauser tacked on 14 against his former team and AJ Hoggard overcame foul trouble to add 13 of his own.

And with the No. 2 seed dispatched, the Spartans are on to the Sweet Sixteen and a date with No. 3 seed Kansas State.

Final: Michigan State 69, Marquette 60

:19.5 — Walker is fouled after a missed Marquette 3 clangs off the rim and the Spartan fans in attendance are starting to feel it: Michigan State is headed to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in nearly five year.

:28.4 — Michigan State breaks the press and Hauser gets fouled. He's already got a double-double and with the pair of free throws he's got 14 points and 10 rebounds. Michigan State leads 68-58.

Michigan State 66, Marquette 58 — media timeout, 2nd half

:35.2 —Kolek answers with a clutch 3 and Marquette isn't going away just yet, down eight — 66-58. Following a Marquette timeout, Walker can't find an open man on the inbound and takes a timeout.

:40.2 — What might be the exclamation point just happened for MSU, as Walker picked Kolek's pocket and took it down the floor for a two-handed flush, giving MSU a 66-55 lead.

:48 — Walker is fouled and, in the double bonus, he'll shoot a pair of free throws for Michigan State. He nails both and it's 64-55, MSU.

1:19 — The look out of the timeout is a great one as Walker puts in a midrange two and the Spartans lead by seven, 62-55. Another Sissoko block on Kolek has the Spartans inching toward a win.

Michigan State 60, Marquette 55 — media timeout, 2nd half

1:28 — After a miss and offensive rebound, Izzo takes a timeout to draw up a play for the Spartans and, presumably, get some late-game defense set up. It'll be MSU ball out of this final media break. A controversial no-call for a goaltend on Sissoko block will be rehashed ad nausem once this game is over.

2:20 — The MSU guards are coming up big, with Walker and then Hoggard making layups on back-to-back trips down the floor to extend the Spartans lead to five, 60-55.

3:36 — Prosper makes one of his free throws and it's a one-point game.

Michigan State 56, Marquette 54 — U4 media timeout, 2nd half

3:36 — Hoggard picks up his fourth foul and Prosper will be shooting free throws after the final media timeout. These two teams are not letting the other get too far away in the second half.

4:12 — Kam Jones has the response for it with a 3 of his own and things are getting heated up late in Columbus.

4:21 — The sound you just heard was every Michigan State fan rejoicing at a 3 finally going down, as Hauser gets one to fall. 56-51, Michigan State.

4:52 — Hoggard draws a foul from the press and gets a 1-and-1, splitting the free throws.

5:04 — Ighodaro going to work while the Spartans don't have a true center on the floor. He fails to convert an and-1 opportunity but Marquette trails by one, 52-51. The Golden Eagles are also starting to press the Spartans in hopes of turnovers and speeding up guards.

Marquette guard Kam Jones (1) drives on Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) in the first half.

5:30 — Now both teams are in the bonus as Cooper fouls Ighodaro on the baseline. He makes his free throws and it's a three-point game, 52-49. Worth noting that Michigan State has the fouls piling up. Sissoko and Cooper each have four. Hauser and Hoggard have three.

6:17 — Ighodaro schools Cooper in the low post and gets an open turnaround two. Next MSU possession comes up empty and Marquette can cut the lead back down to a single score.

6:33 — For every Michigan State missed 3, there seems to be a corresponding Marquette turnover. This time it ends with Walker getting fouled hard going to the basket in transition. He makes both his free throw sand Michigan State has a seven-point lead. Izzo pumps his fist on the sideline to fire up the defense.

7:15 — Kam Jones gets a 3 to go down for Marquette and this game feels destined for a pressure-cooker finish. Sissoko makes a nifty turnaround on the other end and Michigan State has a 50-45 lead.

8:08 — Sean Jones whistled for a foul, the seventh on Marquette, and Walker goes to the line for a 1-and-1 as Michigan State is in the bonus. Walker makes both and the Spartans are up six.

8:20 — It's a flagrant 1 on Prosper after the review. It'll be two free throws for Hauser and possession for MSU. Hauser makes the pair and it's 46-42.

Michigan State 44, Marquette 42 — U8* media timeout, 2nd half

8:20 — Kolek picks up foul No. 3 as each team has multiple players with three personals. It's also been turnover filled, with 14 cough-ups from Marquette and 11 from the Spartans. Altogether not the crispest basketball showing. And now some dead ball contact between Hauser and Prosper send the refs to the monitor and the under 8 media timeout comes a few seconds early.

8:48 — But perhaps Walker and Hoggard making twos can suffice. Walker makes a free throw line jumper and Michigan State is ahead, 44-42.

10:08 — Hoggard draws the score level at 42 with a layup. Spartans still have not gotten much of anything going from 3-point range. Spartans are 1-for-14 beyond the arc to this point.

Marquette 42, Michigan State 40 — U12 media timeout, 2nd half

12:13 — Ighodaro has impressed with his passing, finding an open David Joplin in the corner for a 3, ending a lengthy scoring drought for the Golden Eagles and putting them back in front, 42-40.

13:20 — Michigan State retakes the lead as Walker gets a friendly bounce on a long two-point jumper. It's 40-39, Spartans.

14:55 — Hoggard called for his third foul, and second on the offensive end. While Steve Lappas disagreed on the broadcast, the officials saw an elbow get out and the Spartans will contend with Hoggard in foul trouble.

Marquette 39, Michigan State 38 — U16 media timeout, 2nd half

15:15 — A Marquette travel sends the game to the first media timeout of the second half with the Spartans reeling but seeming to find their footing. Michigan State will have a chance to take a lead out of the break.

16:14 — Ighodaro is tagged with his third foul of the game and he goes to the bench and Sissoko will shoot a pair of free throws. He makes both and the Spartans trail by a point, 39-38.

17:25 — Kolek now gets in on the 3-point barrage and Marquette has started the half on an 11-3 run that's included three made 3s. They lead, 39-36.

17:35 — Relief comes for Michigan State in the form of a Hoggard layup and the foul through contact. Hoggard converts the free throw and we're tied at 36.

17:49 — Ighodaro makes a floater in the lane and Marquette has a three-point lead, 36-33.

19:03 — Pick and pop 3 and Prosper now gives Marquette a lead, 34-33. Hauser commits an offensive foul on the ensuing possession and Izzo is irate with the officials.

19:53 — Prosper opens the scoring for the second half with a 3 for Marquette and it's a two-point game. He leads all scorers with 12. It's 33-31.

Half: Michigan State 33, Marquette 28

:38 — A big bucket by Akins gets the Spartans ahead by five, 33-28. That's the score that we head to the locker room with as neither team could come up with a score on their final possessions of the first half.

Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) drives on Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro (13) in the first half Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Michigan State 31, Marquette 28 — media timeout, 1st half

1:00 — Columbus is getting chaotic as Marquette trims the margin to just three points on a Prosper corner 3. Izzo takes a timeout in response. It's 31-28.

1:09 — Marquette draws a shot clock violation on defense and the Spartans have really struggled to find consistent offense without Hoggard on the floor.

2:43 — Gold buries a corner 3 and Marquette once again trails by just six, coming up on two minutes left in the first half. 31-25, Michigan State. Marquette has made a trio of triples in the first half, while MSU is 1-for-10.

3:18 — Despite the press and ball pressure, Walker keeps his cool and gets a good jump shot late in the shot clock for the Spartans. It's 31-22, Michigan State.

3:39 — Sissoko picks up a foul he strongly disagrees with but Chase Ross is going to the free throw line. And Jones is coming back in. Ross splits the pair and the Spartans hold a 29-22 lead.

Michigan State 29, Marquette 21 — U4* media timeout, 1st half

4:24 — Tyson Walker makes a runner but more concerning is what happened right after. Jones landed and came up gimpy on his right foot. There was no apparent contact and he didn't roll it, but he was down for a period and the refs whistled a stoppage. He went to the bench under his own power but with a notable gimp. He'd be a big loss for Marquette if he's not able to come back. (We head to the under 4 timeout a tad early.)

4:50 – Jones makes a layup, Marquette is on a 6-0 run, and it's 27-21, Michigan State. Things are heating up in Columbus.

4:59 — Then Marquette presses and forces a 10-second violation from the Spartans. Real opportunity for the Golden Eagles to cut in to the lead here.

5:10 — A nifty assist from Ben Gold gets Prosper free on the back doorstep where his dunk goes down through a contest from Cooper, plus a foul. He can't convert the and-1 but Marquette cuts it to an eight-point margin.

5:23 — Hoggard tagged with an offensive foul, his second of the half. He got an elbow into Mitchell and Izzo brings Hoggard to the bench.

5:45 — Hall is incredulous with a foul call against him as Mitchell goes to the line for a pair after an offensive rebound and put back attempt. This game has not featured a lot of made field goals of late. 27-17, MSU.

6:12 — Marquette presses, Michigan State breaks it and Hall throws an easy lob for Cooper. It's 27-15, Michigan State.

6:14 — Carson Cooper fouls Prosper on a shot and the Canadian big will shoot a pair for Marquette — making both and getting the margin to 10.

6:32 — Hauser gets by his man off the dribble and pushes up a floater that drops for two, making it 25-13.

Michigan State 23, Marquette 13 — U8 media timeout, 1st half

7:46 — More than a quarter of the way through the game, Marquette has more turnovers (4) than assists (1) as the Michigan State defense remains stifling. The Spartans lead, 23-13, at the under 8 media timeout, and will have the ball out of the break.

8:10 — Sissoko on the offensive glass putting a tip-in down for two points and putting the Spartans ahead by 10.

9:04 — It was evidently a good choice to keep Ighodaro in, as he assists on a Jones 3 and Marquette closes the margin to eight, 21-13.

9:12 — Akins goes for a highlight jam but gets fouled, but his attempt managed to rattle down. He can't convert from the line and it's 21-10. Ighodaro also picked up his second foul, but stays in.

9:37 — Marquette gets out in transition and Oso Ighodaro, the center, drives from the perimeter and scores an easy two. 19-10, MSU.

9:44 — Spartans are feasting on the offensive glass, as Jaden Akins rips down a board and draws a trip to the free throw line on a put back. He splits the pair and it's 19-8, Michigan State.

Michigan State 18, Marquette 8 — U12 media timeout, 1st half

10:21 — Walker gets whistled for a foul on the floor on the defense end, sending proceedings to commercials with Michigan State holding an 18-8 lead over Marquette.

12:02 — Kam Jones makes a tough, long 3 while moving toward the baseline to help Marquette cut the deficit down to just 10 — 18-8.

12:24 — The Spartans just have a step on the Golden Eagles early. A Hall heave late in the shot clock is rebounded by an unaccounted for Hauser, who gets fouled on a put back attempt. He's makes both free throws and the lead grows to 18-5.

13:16 — Olivier-Maxence Prosper breaks the drought for Marquette but Hauser has the response to match on the other end for Michigan State. It's 16-5, Spartans.

13:57 — A few second after officials whistled a stoppage for him to put his shoe back on, Hall takes it to the basket and Michigan State leads by 11.

14:39 — Kolek gets whistled for his second foul of the game and he heads to the bench as Joey Hauser goes to the free throw line for a pair of shots. He splits the pair as a lane violation nullifies the second attempt. MSU leads 12-3. Marquette has gone more than five minutes with a made field goal.

15:53 — Kolek splits the pair and Marquette trails 11-3. Of note: Hoggard is on the bench for a stretch here with Tre Holloman in for him. If the Spartans can hold serve when he and/or Walker are off the court, that's a big boost.

Michigan State 11, Marquette 2 — U16 media timeout, 1st half

15:53 — Tyler Kolek is fouled driving to the basket for the Golden Eagles and he'll shoot two free throws after the under 16 media timeout.

16:08 — Michigan State is doing Michigan State-type things, forcing an airball on the defensive end. On the ensuing possession, Malik Hall snagged an offensive rebound for an easy put back. All Spartans right now, 11-2.

Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) dunks against Marquette in the first half Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Michigan State 9, Marquette 2 — media timeout, 1st half

16:51 — It's AJ Hoggard time. He dumps Mitchell on a dribble move and steps back for a 3 from the left wing. He's got five points and two assists and Michigan State is cooking early. Marquette head coach Shaka Smart takes a timeout in response to a 9-2 deficit.

18:16 — Tyson Walker joins the scoring party, nailing a midrange two off an inbound. Three different Spartans have made a basket to start for MSU. 6-2, Michigan State leads early.

18:37 — But Hoggard is quickly making up for it, assisting on a Mady Sissoko dunk and then driving past a defender to lay it in himself, giving the Spartans a 4-2 lead.

19:50 — Michigan State wins the tipoff but Stevie Mitchell quickly turns over AJ Hoggard and gets to the rim in transition, giving Marquette a rapid 2-0 lead.

Pregame

A trip to the Sweet Sixteen is on the line as No. 7 seed Michigan State (20-12) faces No. 2 seed Marquette (29-6) in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening.

The Spartans are coming off a 72-62 stifling of No. 10 seed USC in the opener and the Golden Eagles dispatched No. 15 seed Vermont without much fanfare. But now things ratchet up for a pair of programs that haven't danced into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for quite some time.

Tyson Walker and Michigan State take on Marquette in a Round of 32 game of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.

Michigan State and Tom Izzo haven't played in a Sweet Sixteen since 2019 — and that team went to the Final Four. It's been an even longer drought for Marquette, which hasn't made the second weekend in a decade, with the last trip in 2013 ending in the Elite Eight.

And while he downplayed it, MSU forward Joey Hauser has a chance to extract some revenge from his former squad. Hauser, a Wisconsin native, transferred to Michigan State from Marquette after the 2018-19 season.

But most importantly for all the Spartans and Izzo, Sunday is another chance for Michigan State to march on.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Andrew Graham.

NCAA Tournament

No. 7 seed Michigan State vs. No. 2 seed Marquette

Tip-off: 5:15 Sunday, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

TV/radio: CBS/WJR 760

Records: Michigan State 20-12; Marquette 29-6

Line: Marquette by 2.5 points