Michigan State hyped up its March Madness defense. Then NC State broke records against it

Aziaha James, Madison Hayes and Saniya Rivers put forth career-best performances in their final game in Reynolds Coliseum to help the Wolfpack advance to the Sweet 16.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Michigan State’s players felt confident on Sunday during their press conferences at Reynolds Coliseum. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans held Harvard – winners of the three-bid Ivy League – to its lowest scoring total of the season and its worst shooting percentage of the year in a decisive 14-point victory.

So, when asked about playing against second-seeded North Carolina State’s trio of talented guards, the Spartans were not intimidated. In fact, one could make the case they were even a bit cocky.

And for somewhat good reason. Robyn Fralick’s seventh-seeded Spartans entered their second round matchup with N.C. State ranking 26th nationally in defensive rating and 10th in turnovers forced per game. They believed in their ability to make things difficult for a Wolfpack team – playing on its home court – that was 25th in the nation in scoring.

“I don’t think, like Harvard, they’re ready for our defense,” Michigan State junior guard Theryn Hallock said Sunday.

Her teammate, Nyla Hampton added: “They haven’t seen a defense like ours, because the way we pressure is a bit unique.”

The Spartans found out the hard way on Monday afternoon that they wrote a check that they couldn’t cash. N.C. State jumped all over Michigan State and thrashed them. The Wolfpack never allowed the Spartans to lead after jumping out to a 27-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and went on to lead by as many as 36 points before coasting to an 83-49 victory.

“It was one of those days. I’ve said it a million times. Some days you’re the windshield. Some days you’re the bug,” N.C. State coach Wes Moore said. “I thought we came out ready to play… I’ve learned there are times for me just to get out of the way and let them play.”

Indeed, as it turns out, those N.C. State guards are pretty good.

N.C. State senior Aziaha James validated her selection as an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press and USBWA by pouring in 26 points against this supposedly vaunted Michigan State defense. All-ACC selection Saniya Rivers wowed WNBA scouts in attendance with her ability to flex her athleticism and do a little bit of everything, piling up 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals to go along with a career-high-tying 11 assists. And Madison Hayes proved doubters – the ones who didn’t vote her to an All-ACC team – wrong by knocking down a single-game career-best five 3-pointers.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to get these kids another year of eligibility, so if you have any ideas, please let me know,” Moore said with a smile.

With Hayes and James leading the way from behind the arc, N.C. State also made a program record 15 3-pointers, the most ever by the squad in an NCAA Tournament game – and five more than the previous record. The margin of victory also marked N.C. State’s largest ever in a March Madness game. And the result capped off an undefeated season for the Wolfpack in Reynolds Coliseum, extending their home winning streak to 23 games inside the historic venue in Raleigh.

Meanwhile, Hampton and Hallock combined for 1-of-12 shooting. The loss was the most lopsided for Michigan State since Jan. 28, 2021, when the Spartans lost to Maryland by 40 points.

The Wolfpack punished the Spartans with relative ease despite two of their starters – Tylda Trigger and Zoe Brooks – combining for just five points, seven rebounds and four assists. But it didn’t matter. This was a day where N.C. State was carried by its seniors.

Playing in their last game at Reynolds Coliseum in front of a sold out crowd on Monday afternoon, Rivers, James and Hayes took everything personally and made a defining statement.

They don’t fear opposing defenses. Opposing defenses should fear them. The Wolfpack are the ones who knock.

“It’s bittersweet, but we’re not done yet,” said Hayes, a fifth-year senior. “Our game will speak for itself, and it showed. You know, we just shot the crap out the ball.”

James always reminds herself of a classic Wes Mooreism when facing any opponent.

“You better be some McDonald’s fries, hot and ready. Just being hot and ready,” James said. “Don’t matter what circumstances come to you. You just got to be ready.”

Moore chimed in with a laugh: “Yes, you listened to one thing. That’s good, yes. It worked.”

As a program, N.C. State has had the consistency of those fast food fries for a while now. Their flight out to Spokane, Washington, this week will mark their sixth trip to the Sweet 16 in the last seven NCAA Tournaments.

The challenge awaiting the Wolfpack now will be advancing out of Spokane and making back-to-back Final Fours for the first time ever. In its way are some tough opponents, but when its guards are playing like this, anything is possible for N.C. State.