Michigan State basketball's Coen Carr is a 'momentum changer' for Spartans in Sweet 16
ATLANTA — Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo had words of advice for Coen Carr ahead of the Spartans’ second trip to Atlanta this season, this one for March Madness.
“I told Coen, ‘Don’t be inviting any of those old girlfriends over either,’” Izzo joked at Thursday’s Sweet 16 media day.
Despite being about 22 miles from his hometown of Stockbridge, Georgia, Carr said he isn’t focusing on much of anything other than Michigan State’s prep for Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 on Friday night — not even the ticket protocol for the plenty of friends and family in attendance.
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“As far as trying to organize all that, I haven’t really been doing too much,” Carr said. “It’s mostly my mom taking care of all that.”
Carr is all-in on helping the Spartans reach the Final Four for the ninth time under Izzo. He’s boosted his production to 8.0 points per game this year from 3.1 points per game as a freshman last year. He scored eight points and had three rebounds in Michigan State’s 77-69 loss to Kansas on its trip to Atlanta in November.
On a team like Michigan State — seven players average at least 7.0 points — it can be tough to stand out consistently. But Carr’s teammates have given him props for his ability to also bring as much energy as possible every game.
“His dunks feel like six points,” forward Jesse McCulloch said. “He’s a momentum changer, he works super hard … he’s just been a great leader in general.”
Izzo said he has had reasons to keep “one eye and then no eyes shut” at night with his players during his 30-year tenure in East Lansing. But even though there’s still a curfew and other rules in place, Izzo has trust in Carr’s ability to block out the noise.
“Coen Carr is one of (the players) that I don’t worry about,” Izzo said. “If he told me he was going somewhere to do something right now with his family or with his friends, I think I could sleep with both eyes shut.”
Michigan State vs. Ole Miss date, start time, where to watch
- Game Day: Friday, March 28, 2025
- Game Time: 7:09 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!
Michigan State vs. Ole Miss odds
Odds as of Monday, March 24 via BetMGM.
- Spread: Michigan State -3.5 (-102)
- Moneyline Favorite: Michigan State -160
- Moneyline Underdog: Ole Miss +135
- Total: 143.5
Gunter Schroeder is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.