HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Michigan State 70, Memphis 48: Gary Harris scored 23 points as the Spartans advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 11th time under coach Tom Izzo in a third-round NCAA Tournament game at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Michigan State (27-8), the No. 3 seed in the Midwest, advances to a meeting with either Duke or Creighton in the regional semifinals. The Spartans also got 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks from Adreian Payne and 13 points and eight boards from Derrick Nix.

Sixth-seeded Memphis (31-5) was led by Geron Johnson's 16 points and Joe Jackson's 12 points and seven boards. The Tigers connected on 5-of-23 3-pointers and were held to their lowest point total of the season.

The Spartans came out hot, taking a 26-13 lead with 7:59 to play in first half on Harris' 3-pointer, which gave the freshman 14 of his 17 first-half points. But the Tigers rallied back, outscoring MSU 16-6 the rest of the half to pull within three at the break.

Michigan State also started out hot in the second half, going on an opening 13-3 run - punctuated by two straight Payne dunks - to take a 13-point lead with 12:24 to play and the Tigers never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Michigan State improved to 12-1 at the Palace of Auburn Hills, including a 4-0 mark in NCAA Tournament games. … Spartans G Keith Appling hurt his right shoulder in the second half and was taken to the locker room, but he returned to the bench and appeared to be OK. … Memphis shot 29.7 percent and was outrebounded 49-29.