Michigan State basketball is heading back to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2019. The Spartans defeated the Ole Miss Rebels in a Sweet 16 affair on Friday night, 73-70, punching their ticket for a date on Sunday.
It was a hard fought battle between the Spartans and Rebels, and Ole Miss gave everything the Spartans could handle. In the end, though, Michigan State’s team persevered and willed themselves to a victory, continuing the special season that is unfolding.
In a post game interview with Tracy Wolfson of CBS, Tom Izzo got emotional talking about his team. With his team behind him, Izzo shared how much he loves his guys, and talked about their never quit attitude. In typical Izzo fashion, though, he made sure to throw in a coaching point in his comments.
For 12 minutes to begin the 2025 playoffs, Luka Doncic rewarded the Lakers fans in the packed arena, showing that all the hopefulness that they entered Crypto.com Arena on Saturday wasn’t just some foolish dream.
It could really happen; he’s that good.
But for as much as a brilliant Doncic start can be the opening paragraphs in the story of a Lakers win, it can also be a bit of a mask. Because while Doncic got whatever he wanted, Austin Reaves struggled against Minnesota’s pressure, missing easy shots at the rim and struggling to get the Lakers into offense. LeBron James, who we last saw on the court grimacing after a hip flexor strain, didn’t have much burst to the basket or much touch on his shot.
And with Doncic on the bench after a 16-point first quarter, that mask came off.
The Lakers couldn’t score. They couldn’t match Minnesota’s energy. They couldn’t out-run ball movement or chase down rebounds. Opposing shooters were open. Driving lanes on the other end were closed.
And they couldn’t stop an avalanche that hit them with the kind of force that knocked all the energy out of the building.
The game, which Minnesota won 117-95, didn’t end during that stretch, at least not in an official sense. But everything that followed as the Timberwolves scored 64 of the game’s next 90 points should be a reminder of just how easily hopefulness can be punctured.
Leave a Reply