The Michigan State Spartans had their Final Four dreams dashed by Auburn in a 70-64 defeat Sunday night. The finishing touch to this year’s Chalk Madness, the Tigers’ triumph means that all 1-seeds have advanced to the national semifinals. The Spartans finish 30-7, regular season Big Ten champions.
Against Auburn, Michigan State simply couldn’t muster enough offense, shooting 34% for the game. In the first half, they put up only 24 points. While MSU got away with slow starts versus Bryant, New Mexico, and Ole Miss, the Tigers are not a team to toy with. They didn’t blow the Spartans out, but they never allowed them much of an opening after a 17-0 run gave Auburn a 23-8 advantage 10 minutes in.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, as it always is when it ends without a championship, the Spartans can take pride in advancing as far as they did. On social media after the game, MSU Alum Magic Johnson thanked the team for the ride.
Magic Johnson Extends Gratitude to Michigan State Spartans
Johnson’s tweet:
I want to thank MSU Coach Izzo and especially all of the players for an exciting and entertaining season! It’s disappointing the tournament run has come to an end with this loss to a strong Auburn team, but this season is one that all Spartans fans should be proud of. I can’t wait till next season! #GoGreenGoWhite@MSU_Basketball
Tom Izzo himself has commented on the lack of wow-level talent on this year’s roster. He cited this quality as one of the reasons this group is his favorite in 30 years of coaching, a career that includes 8 Final Fours and 27 tournament berths. Under Izzo, the Spartans have reached every tournament held since his first two seasons at the helm.
The 2024-25 edition of the team relied on hustle, defense and depth, priding themselves on fundamentals like rebounding and free-throw shooting. Michigan State outrebounded the Tigers, 41 to 39, even thought the paint was often occupied by Auburn’s All-America first-teamer, the 6’10 Johni Broome.
Although the Spartans could compete on the glass, they couldn’t stop Broome from dominating both ends of the floor, allowing him 25 points on 10-13 from the field. He also grabbed 14 rebounds, made both threes he attempted, and disrupted shots in the paint on defense. And he didn’t even put in a full day’s work.
Late in the second half, he fell awkwardly on his elbow and went to the locker room, presumed out for the game. He returned to the sidelines after several minutes, however, and re-entered the game a few moments later. Still in plain discomfort, he will have six days to recover before Auburn’s Final Four match with Florida on Saturday.
Spartans To Lose Key Scorers for 2025-26
Showcasing their own depth and talent, Auburn held serve during Broome’s absence, keeping Michigan State in a three-possession game at all times. In particular, the Tigers suffocated the Spartans on defense, forcing difficult layup attempts, blocking shots, and inviting the Spartans to use up clock trying to manufacture a good look.
Indicative of how little production MSU got elsewhere, center Jaxon Kohler (7.6 PPG, 5th on the squad) led the team in scoring (17 points, 6-8). Jase Richardson had 11 on 4-13 from the field, while Jaden Akins shot 6-17 for 15 points. Tre Holloman went 0-10, his only points a pair free throws.
The Spartans were exposed for their offensive weakness on Sunday, but as Johnson noted, they accomplished a lot this season–overachieved, in fact, reaching the Elite 8 after being unranked in the preseason.
In 2025-26, they will lose not only Akins, their leading scorer on the season at 12.8 PPG, but also Richardson, projected as a top 10 NBA draft pick. Beginning the year on the bench, the freshman emerged as the team’s number-one scoring option. For some Michigan State fans right now, next season might evoke more uncertainty than excitement.
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