Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Tom Izzo, Rick Barnes share back-and-forth analysis during in-game interview

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Tom Izzo and Rick Barnes are getting a jump start on the 2023-24 college basketball season, pitting their Michigan State and Tennessee programs against each other  Sunday afternoon.

Originally slated to be a closed scrimmage in East Lansing, the two head coaches got together to play a televised scrimmage in front of fans as a way to raise support for those affected by the Maui wildfire. During the game, the BTN broadcast even set up an in-game interview that allowed the head coaches to communicate with each other.

“We’re both playing hard, we’ve both kind of made mistakes,” said Izzo. “They’ve turned it over too much, I’m sure Rick’s not happy about that, are you Rick?”

“Well, I am because you know what I just keep thinking if we can get the other two guys back,” responded Barnes. “We came out obviously pretty jacked up and made some shots… I think we both have a chance to have good years because we’re both trying to get our guys better.”

For Sunday’s scrimmage, both coaching staffs were seen in Hawaiian-style shirts featuring their team colors. Barnes credited Izzo for the idea and for getting together to raise money for Maui.

“Tom, that’s what I love about Tom Izzo. He’s all about people, he’s all about doing the right thing, and it was his idea to take care of Maui,” Barnes explained. “I appreciate him… What can you say about their fans doing this for Maui?”

“I think it’s going to be a hell of a game if we don’t quit turning it over,” countered Izzo. “If we keep turning it over much more we might not get 20 shots out of this game.”

As for the action on the court, Tennessee raced out to a huge lead in the opening minutes before Michigan State responded and made things close at halftime. At the end of the day, this is just a scrimmage designed for both teams to get better, but it’s cool to see the interaction between the two well-respected head coaches.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.