A high-stakes NCAA Tournament second-round matchup awaits as No. 10 New Mexico faces No. 2 Michigan State on March 23, 2025, at 8:40 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on TNT from Cleveland's Rocket Arena.

Michigan State Spartans Overview:

• Record: 27-6 (17-3 in conference)
• 27 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
• Defense ranks 2nd nationally in opponent three-point percentage (27.9%)
• Key Players: Jaden Akins (12.7 PPG), Jaxon Kohler (7.6 RPG)

New Mexico Lobos Overview:

• First NCAA Tournament win since 2012 (defeated Marquette 75-66)
• Average 81.2 points per game
• Key Players: Donovan Dent (20.6 PPG, 6.4 APG), Nelly Junior Joseph (14.0 PPG, 11.2 RPG)

Keys to Victory: For Michigan State:

• Control game tempo
• Disrupt New Mexico's transition offense
• Maintain defensive pressure

For New Mexico:

• Push the pace
• Force turnovers
• Maintain high free-throw percentage
• Leverage bench contributions

Notable Storyline: Richard Pitino (New Mexico) and his father Rick Pitino (St. John's) made history as the first father-son duo to win NCAA Tournament games in the same year.

Supporting Cast Impact:

• Tru Washington: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
• Mustapha Amzil: 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
• Filip Borovicanin: 8 points, 5 rebounds
• C.J. Noland: 11 points, 3 three-pointers

The winner advances to the Sweet 16, with Michigan State favored but New Mexico's momentum making them a dangerous underdog.

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