Auburn Overpowers Michigan State to Secure Final Four Berth

Michigan State’s shooting woes were glaring in their NCAA tournament game against Auburn, and the internet had plenty to say about it.

Despite not being known for their sharp shooting (31.1% from three this season), the Spartans had a successful 2024-25 season, winning the Big Ten regular season title and reaching the Elite Eight on the strength of their rebounding and three-point defense. However, their shooting performance against Auburn was particularly poor, even by their standards.

While MSU ultimately shot 30% from beyond the arc (7-for-23), the majority of those makes (four) came in the final couple of minutes when the game’s outcome was largely decided, highlighting the missed opportunities throughout their 70-64 loss to the Tigers. A particularly frustrating sequence in the first half saw the Spartans grab multiple offensive rebounds but fail to convert, a microcosm of their struggles for much of the game.

Two of MSU’s key shooters, Tre Holloman and Jaden Akins, started the game ice cold, combining to miss their first 10 field goal attempts and 7 three-point attempts. While Akins found some rhythm in the second half, finishing 6-for-17, Holloman remained scoreless from the field, going 0-for-10.

In the first half, MSU shot a dismal 27.1% from three, but their struggles weren’t limited to long-range shots. They connected on just 26.7% of all their field goal attempts in the first half, as Auburn’s defense effectively shut down their offense. By the end of the game, MSU’s overall shooting percentage was a mere 34.4%, compared to Auburn’s 42.6%.