Trey Fort delivers payoff to Michigan State basketball development

BUFFALO, NY – Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler have talked for weeks about the urgency of this being their final season and, more importantly, their final NCAA Tournament run. Trey Fort, however, has taken that to another level. Perhaps Tom Izzo’s most improved and inspiring postseason player delivered another eye-opening performance in his redemptive arc that is quickly becoming a tale of perseverance that will go down in Michigan State basketball March Madness lore.

Two days after providing the 3-seed Spartans with a boost off the bench in their first-round win over North Dakota State , Fort delivered again – and beyond – in their 77-69 win over 6-seed Louisville on Saturday, March 21, to propel Izzo into his 17th Sweet 16. JEFF SEIDEL: Michigan State basketball getting everything to fall together “Effort is what matters,” Fort said after scoring 12 points on 3-for-5 shooting. “And that’s what I’m leaning on right now, man.

Having effort, bringing a spark to the team and helping us in any way I can. ” Fort, who began the season as a starter before losing minutes and falling out of the regular rotation, swished three critical 3-pointers against the Cardinals, including his second four-point play of the weekend at KeyBank Center. And the 6-foot-4, 200-pound shooting guard displayed the tenacious defense and rebounding Izzo has sought all winter from the sixth-year senior, finishing with a season-best five rebounds and a steal.

The well-traveled transfer also had an assist, did not commit a turnover and drew four fouls in his 18 minutes, 58 seconds. It was the most court time for Fort since his season-high 21 minutes in a Nov. 27 win over North Carolina in Fort Myers, Florida.