Here's what Tom Izzo said following narrow victory over Detroit Mercy
It was no easy evening for Michigan State against Detroit Mercy.
After coming away with a strong win over Duke, the Spartans were not quite as sharp on Friday. It culminated in a game that came down to the final minute before Michigan State iced the game away on a three by Gabe Brown.
Brown was a big story, putting up 16 points while starting in place of senior guard Joshua Langford. Langford started the first three games of the season but was announced as a game-time decision Friday.
After the game, Tom Izzo addressed the absence of Langford. He indicated there was not an injury associated with Langford’s absence and it was simply a way to give Langford the day off. Izzo expects Langford to be back in the lineup on Sunday:
Izzo says Langford will play Sunday vs. WMU. Played 29 mins with travel to Duke. A precautionary move.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
Izzo says Joshua Langford will play Sunday vs. Western Michigan. Sitting tonight was purely him not pushing Langford too hard, as he said he would before the season
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 5, 2020
Langford is averaging 7.0 points on 41.2% shooting to start the season.
Here is the rest of Izzo’s comments following Friday’s victory:
MSU coach Tom Izzo says he’s “disappointed but feel good at the same time.” Down on big men, but also pointed to not having a scouting report. Credited Antoine Davis but also his guy Rocket Watts for defense on Davis and own scoring.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
Izzo keeps hammering on his 4s and 5s for their poor performance but added that hadn’t been the case before tonight. Also didn’t know much about Detroit’s Matt Johnson, either. Had to get AAU film to put together scouting report.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
Izzo: "In fairness to our (power forwards), when you take a guy who's on the wing and he averages 1 point at St. Bonaventure and he goes off for 20, that's not anyone's fault. That's the virus' fault."
MSU had trouble putting together an accurate scouting report.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) December 5, 2020
Hauser sitting late was as much about banging his knee and it slowing him down a little, but Izzo says "he's to got to play both ends."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 5, 2020
Izzo said Joey Hauser “couldn’t move very good” after banging his knee in the first half. Played through it but wasn’t out on the floor late.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
Izzo: “I told Rocket after the game that was the best I’ve seen him play. Ever.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
Izzo: "I told Rocket after the game that's best I've seen him play, ever."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) December 5, 2020
Izzo also says Aaron Henry “is playing the best basketball he’s ever played.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 5, 2020
The Spartans will get Saturday off before a quick turnaround to face Western Michigan on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 6 pm EST.
