NEW YORK, NY – They had to fight tooth and nail for every inch, but in the end, the 4th-seeded Spartans of Michigan State held off the top seeded Virginia Cavaliers 61-59 to advance to the Elite 8, where they will take on the 7th-seeded Connecticut Huskies.
Branden Dawson led the Spartans with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Adreian Payne added 16 points for Tom Izzo’s squad.
The Cavaliers were led by guards Joe Harris and Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 17 points apiece.
Ian Eagle and John Thompson called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.