Six-seed Ole Miss was a -3.5 underdog heading into Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup against the Michigan State Spartans, but they sure didn’t play like it for most of the game. That made the Rebels’ 70-73 loss to Michigan State even more painful.

Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) drives to the basket against Mississippi guard Davon Barnes (7) during the Sweet 16 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, March 28, 2025. The winner of the game advances to the Elite 8. Neil Blake | [email protected]

Michigan State basketball did battle with Ole Miss on Friday night in the Sweet 16 in what turned out to be a hard fought, physical battle between the Spartans and Rebels. In the end, Michigan State snuck past Ole Miss, punching their ticket into the Elite 8 on Sunday.