Three UConn veterans step up to deliver Sweet 16 win vs. Michigan State

WASHINGTON — Connecticut was the hammer. Michigan State was the nail. The No.

2 Huskies made six of their first seven attempts from 3-point range to lead the No. 3 Spartans 25-6 midway through the first half of the Sweet 16, seemingly snapping out of the month-long slump that had cost them the Big East regular-season and tournament championships. “I think we were able to slow them down in transition and then execute, not turn the ball over,” said guard Silas Demery.

But things are never that easy for this UConn team. Things haven’t been easy, in fact, since the second of the program’s back-to-back national championships in 2024. Michigan State stormed back.

A late bucket by Jeremy Fears Jr. made the score 35-27 at halftime. The lead was 35-34 just over three minutes into the second half.