Tom Izzo discusses Michigan State's matchup with Davidson, ex-Spartan Foster Loyer
Michigan State is going dancing, landing as a 7-seed in the West Region during Sunday’s NCAA Tournament bracket reveal.
When the bracket came out, the Spartans were matched up with 10-seed Davidson, the regular-season champs of the Atlantic 10. It also pits Michigan State against a familiar face in ex-Spartan Foster Loyer.
The point guard transferred out of East Lansing during the offseason and turned in a second-team all-conference year with the Wildcats. Loyer averaged 16.6 points per game and shot 45% from 3-point range.
As a team, Davidson shoots the deep ball at a 39% clip with 3 players averaging better than 14 points per game. The Wildcats also have some serious size inside in the starting lineup, making them a dangerous mid-major team in the bracket.
Here’s what Tom Izzo had to say about that matchup, facing Loyer and the injuries to a few Spartans:
Tom Izzo on MSU vs. Davidson: “It’s nice for TV, you know?”
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) March 13, 2022
Izzo on Tyson Walker’s status: “I have no idea where he’s at. …He won’t practice today or tomorrow, I know that for sure.”
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) March 13, 2022
Tom Izzo says he talks to Davidson’s Foster Loyer “quite often” and is friendly with Wildcats coach Bob Killop.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022
Izzo says Loyer is “a coach on the floor.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022
Izzo: “Foster Loyer did not leave here in a bad way. He left here in a great way.” Says a lot of current players keep in touch with Loyer, and Izzo also says he keeps in touch with Watts, Kithier and Hoiberg who also transferred out after last season.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022
Izzo says MSU will monitor AJ Hoggard’s left ankle sprain as well.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022
Izzo said today’s team meeting was about, “Can you do your job?” Adds that he wonders how much he can change in a week for MSU. Defense/ball screens and transition offense are keys. “It’s like what they way, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022
Izzo: “It ain’t gonna be chalk like it was in 2001. … I’m gonna live by that and try to be one of those surprise teams to win the first game and move on.”
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 13, 2022