Big Ten Roundup (March 19): Miami Knocks Out Indiana; Michigan State Last Team Standing

Out of eight Big Ten teams to reach the NCAA Tournament, No. 7 seed Michigan State is the last team standing after a 69-60 win over No. 2 seed Marquette. Indiana couldn't handle Miami's potent offensive attack and rebounding, leading to an 85-69 loss for the Hoosiers.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

There's something about Tom Izzo in March.

Across 28 seasons at Michigan State, Izzo has undeniably had more talented teams that earned better NCAA Tournament seeds, but he almost always finds a way to get the Spartans playing their best when it matters most. On Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, No. 2 seed Marquette, the Big East regular season and tournament champions, stood in Michigan's State's path in the Round of 32.

But as the game played out, Michigan State played like it belonged with one of the nation's best. The Spartans took an early 18-5 lead, then showed toughness to withstand a Marquette rally in the second half. After Oso Ighodaro's dunk gave Marquette momentum in a one-point game with five minutes remaining, Michigan State punched back with a 14-4 run. 

The trio of Tyson Walker, A.J. Hoggard and Joey Hauser scored Michigan State's final 19 points, and Izzo gave a passionate fist pump in the closing moments of a 69-60 victory. This win was especially sweet for Izzo and a Michigan State team that entered March Madness with 7-8 record since Jan. 13 and a one-and-done performance in the Big Ten Tournament. 

And with this win, Izzo now owns the most NCAA Tournament wins by a lower seed versus a higher seed with 16, passing Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. Izzo also joined an illustrious group – Kentucky's John Calipari and Adolph Rupp, Indiana's Bob Knight and UCLA's John Wooden – with 15 Sweet 16 appearances. Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has a commanding lead in this category with 26 trips to the Sweet 16.

The Spartans advance to the Sweet 16 in Madison Square Garden, where they'll face No. 3 seed Kansas State on March 23 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

"I am so proud of these guys for withstanding that," Izzo said, "Because that was – I've been in Elite Eight games; I've been in Final Four – that was as intense and tough a game as I've been in my career.

Sunday's results

• No. 7 Michigan State 69, No. 2 Marquette 60: Michigan State jumped out to an 18-5 lead in the first eight minutes of action, but Marquette rallied to take the lead less than a minute into the second half. From then on, Michigan State and Marquette traded baskets in a physical and intense game. Joey Hauser hit a three from the corner to give Michigan State a five-point lead with 4:22 to play, then the Spartans went on a 10-0 run just a minute later to seal the victory. Tyson Walker led Michigan State with 23 points and zero turnovers, followed by 14 points and 10 rebounds from Hauser and 13 points from A.J. Hoggard. Olivier-Maxence Prosper led Marquette with 16 points, but point guard Tyler Kolek was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting. 
• No. 5 Miami 85, No. 4 Indiana 69: Miami began the game with a burst of energy to grab an 8-0 lead and led by as many as 13 points in the first half. Indiana's Miller Kopp hit a three to trim the lead to five points at halftime, and the Hoosiers opened the second half on an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the game. But in the end, Miami was the more aggressive, athletic and quicker team, out-rebounding Indiana 48-31 with 29 second chance points. Isaiah Wong scored a game-high 27 points on 4-for-6 3-point shooting, and first-team All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis' career came to an end after scoring 23 points with eight rebounds and five blocks. With this win, Miami advances to the Sweet 16, where it'll face the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars in Kansas City on March 24 at 7:15 p.m. ET.