And No. 6 Michigan State basketball flexed its strength in numbers when it mattered most. The top-seeded Spartans scrapped their way to a 74-64 Big Ten tournament-opening victory over ninth-seed Oregon on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,

No. 1 seed Michigan State defeated No. 8 seed Oregon 74-64 in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, guard Jaden Akins and forward Coen Carr spoke after the game. Below is a transcript of Michigan State’s postgame press conference on Friday.

Michigan State’s late surge carried over to the start of the postseason. After winning a Big Ten title last week, the top seeded Spartans beat No. 8 seed Oregon 74-64 in a conference tournament quarterfinal on Friday afternoon in Indianapolis.