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Michigan State fans praising the mettle of gritty Spartans in win over Ole Miss

It wasn't pretty, but once again Michigan State found a way to win, and the fans were right there for the ride.
ByMichael Collins|
Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3), left, and center Carson Cooper (15) celebrate 73-70 win over Ole Miss at the Sweet 16 round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3), left, and center Carson Cooper (15) celebrate 73-70 win over Ole Miss at the Sweet 16 round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Friday, March 28, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A win is a win, and an ugly win looks just as good in a bracket as a blowout win. Tonight was a night for the Spartans to win ugly against a bigger, more athletic, and more physical Ole Miss Rebels team.

The Spartans were favored by 3.5, but in the early going it looked like Ole Miss might run away with it. Coach Tom Izzo lamented at the half that his team wasn't playing well, and something needed to change.

Michigan State held up their end of the deal in being the best second-half team in the country, and came back for a gritty Sweet 16 victory that brought Tom Izzo to tears at the end of the game.

And if you think Tom Izzo was emotional, just take a look at fans who were along for the ride on tonight's basketball rollercoaster in Atlanta.

And of course, what would a little fan fun be without finding a way to needle the cross-state rivals in maize and blue. Michigan who?

As mentioned above, the Spartans will take on the winner of tonight's Sweet 16 finale between overall No. 1 seed Auburn and those Wolverines. Not sure if it feels forced, but it sure would feel good to take down Michigan on the way to the Final Four.

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