Michigan State’s Key Player to Advance to the 2026 Final Four
The media has talked plenty about Jeremy Fears Jr., the contributions from the bench, and another display of Tom Izzo's dominance, but it is leaving out one important piece. That piece is junior forward Coen Carr. He has quietly been stuffing the stat sheet this tournament. The Spartans' Final Four hopes will continue to rise if he can maintain his high level of play and is the key player behind a possible Final Four run for the Spartans.
Though they missed out on being a top seed this year, Michigan State kept its quest alive for a deep run in March with a resounding 92-67 win over North Dakota State on March 19th. That night, Carr dumped in 17 points on 75 percent shooting. He even knocked down a corner three, a rare sight this season. Against Louisville on March 21st, the high-flying junior notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, leading both teams in each category. He added in another solid game from behind the arc, knocking down two huge three-pointers for the Spartans.
A jump offensively from Carr can make a giant difference for Tom Izzo and company. If his three-ball is dropping, it opens up the floor for their entire offense. The junior forward shot just under 30 percent from three this season, allowing teams to sag off him and clog the paint. Knocking down the three creates more drive and kick opportunities, but also helps Carr off the dribble.
As the deep ball falls for the forward, the defense will be forced to guard him on the perimeter. Good luck guarding Carr on an island by yourself. One pump fake and he is halfway to the hoop, ready to put another defender on a poster. Purdue head coach Matt Painter once praised Carr’s driving abilities, saying, “I’ve never seen anybody like him.”
His athleticism is otherworldly. It completely flips momentum in games and puts most defenders at a disadvantage. Simply put, he is a human cheat code. In just two games, Carr has put together a complete dunk highlight montage. Seemingly, in every game, he pulls off an athletic feat never seen before. It is a trait no other player in college basketball has. This alone is enough to terrify defenders. Add a consistent jumpshot as he has shown so far this tournament, and it truly is game over.
Carr is nicknamed ‘Flight 55’ for a reason. His freak athleticism has been on full display this March Madness. Carr is a huge reason behind the Spartans' back-to-back visits to the Sweet Sixteen. It has not just been his athleticism doing all the talking. His jumper has looked smooth in the first two games, going three for six from deep. With a consistent jumper, teams will be forced to reevaluate their defensive attack on the junior forward. A confident jumpshot from Carr raises the ceiling for this Sparty squad. If the junior can continue his hot streak and be a major threat offensively, escaping the dreaded East Region and reaching the Final Four is a high possibility for Michigan State.
