MSU 80, Kentucky 68
Playing in their first Elite Eight game, the Spartans would storm into Lexington to beat the host Wildcats and reach their first Final Four. The Spartans were down 12 points at halftime, and Johnny Green helped spearhead the comeback before fouling out, scoring 14 points. All-American Jack Quiggle led MSU with 22 points and George Ferguson had 15 points. The Spartans would lose to undefeated North Carolina, 74-70, in triple overtime six days later in the national semifinal.