Jase Richardson lifted No. 7 Michigan State past No. 23 Oregon with an impressive 17-point performance, while Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 11 points and five assists in a decisive 74-64 victory during the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals on Friday.
With this win, the Spartans improved their record to 27-5, marking their eighth consecutive victory, which ties their best streak of the season. As the regular-season champions, they are set to face either No. 18 Wisconsin or fourth-seeded UCLA in Saturday’s semifinal.
In addition to Richardson and Fears, Jaden Akins added 12 points, while Coen Carr recorded 10 points and eight rebounds, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility.
For the Ducks (24-9), Nate Bittle stood out with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while TJ Bamba contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists, demonstrating their competitive spirit despite the loss.
Michigan State surged ahead by scoring the last seven points of the first half, establishing a 42-32 lead. They then executed a 15-0 run in the second half, effectively pulling away after Oregon narrowed the gap to 44-43 with 15:33 remaining.
Takeaways
Oregon made a strong case for enhancing their NCAA Tournament seed with commendable performances in Indianapolis. While they fell short of reaching the semifinals, their effort over the first 25 minutes of play showcased their potential.
Michigan State, under the guidance of Coach Tom Izzo, is exhibiting the qualities of a Final Four contender. While securing a No. 1 seed may require some external assistance this weekend, winning the Big Ten titles would significantly bolster their chances.
Key moment
Following a timeout called by Izzo after Oregon closed the gap to a single point, Michigan State responded by shutting down their opponents for nearly 5 1/2 minutes, regaining control of the game.
Key stat
Despite a narrow 36-29 edge in rebounding, Michigan State dominated in second-chance points, outscoring Oregon 16-4, highlighting their ability to capitalize on opportunities.
Up next
The Spartans previously defeated Wisconsin and suffered a loss to UCLA in their only encounters this season. Oregon will await its next matchup announcement on Selection Sunday.
