Smart watched as Michigan State ramped up its defensive intensity after halftime to muzzle the streaky Trojans (22-11), who were knocked out in the tournament's first round for the second straight year.
Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins added 12 points apiece for Michigan State, which held USC to 34% shooting in the second half. It felt like every possession was a challenge for the Trojans, who only stayed within range with some late 3-pointers and some atrocious free-throw shooting by Michigan State.
A.J. Hoggard of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket against the USC Trojans during the second half in the first round game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Spartans missed six straight from the line during one stretch while trying to close it out and finished 15 of 25 overall.
Joshua Morgan scored 14 and Kobe Johnson 13 to lead USC.
Michigan State, appearing in its 25th straight tournament under Izzo, will move on in what has been a unique and challenging season for the Spartans. The team became the face of a grief-stricken school after a gunman killed three students and injured five others in a campus shooting Feb. 13.
Playing in Big Ten country and backed by a crowd wearing even more green on St. Patrick’s Day the Spartans took control in the second half. A.J. Hoggard’s steal and layup put Michigan State ahead 58-49.
USC struggled to get any good looks at the basket and fell into a bigger hole when Hauser and Jaden Akins buried consecutive 3-pointers as Michigan State’s lead swelled to 66-51 with 4:23 left.
A.J. Hoggard (11) and Carson Cooper (15) of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after a basket against the USC Trojans during the second half in a first round game of the NCAA men's basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
FOUR GAMES TO WATCH ON DAY 2 OF NCAA TOURNAMENT
Johnson knocked down two 3s to pull USC within nine, but the Trojans couldn’t get any closer.
TWO TOMS
Izzo showed his soft, nurturing side, especially when he helped his team and the school cope following the tragedy.
However, he didn’t like being described as a "teddy bear."
And while he’s not as fiery these days, the 68-year-old is still demanding of his players..
A.J. Hoggard of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a basket against the USC Trojans during the second half in a first round game of the NCAA men's tasketball tournament at Nationwide Arena March 17, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
"I look in the mirror a lot," he said, "and sometimes I don’t like what I see in me. And I let the players know that. So, maybe the terror side will come out again. I had a parent tell me something two days ago that I really enjoyed: ‘Coach my kid, the hell with the outside stuff. Coach my kid.’
"So, I’m coaching them. So, hopefully I bring that with me this weekend, and hopefully our team responds."