Michigan State advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating No. 6 Louisville 77-69 Saturday in the East Region’s second round. Coen Carr led the Spartans with 21 points and 10 rebounds, helping MSU earn its 17th trip to the second weekend under coach Tom Izzo.

Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 12 points and 16 assists, while Jaxon Kohler added 10 points and six rebounds. Trey Fort also scored 12 points, giving Michigan State balanced production across its starting lineup.

Louisville was led by Ryan Conwell with 21 points and Adrian Wooley with 17. The Cardinals kept the game close early, but a key sequence late in the second half, including a flagrant foul on Louisville’s Vangelis Zougris and clutch free throws and a three-pointer from Kohler, pushed the Spartans’ lead to double digits and secured the victory.

Michigan State maintained strong ball movement and half-court execution, finishing the first half with 12 assists on 13 made field goals and shooting 46.4% overall, despite nine turnovers. In the second half, timely three-pointers from Fort and free-throw shooting helped MSU hold off Louisville’s attempts to close the gap.

The Spartans will face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between No. 2 Connecticut and No. 7 UCLA in the Sweet 16. Under Izzo, MSU has reached eight Final Fours and won the national championship in 2000.