Tom Izzo previews Michigan State's rematch vs Iowa, late-season push for Spartans

Michigan State is playing better but still in unusual territory entering Saturday’s rematch against N0. 15 Iowa.

The Spartans are 4-7 in conference play and 10th in the B1G, and that mark is thanks to back-to-back victories for Tom Izzo’s squad. After a four-game losing streak sandwiched around a long layoff due to COVID-19, Michigan State has won some games and is looking to do enough down the stretch to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.

Even though Michigan State lost its first game to Iowa on Feb. 2, it could still be said that it was the six-point loss to the Hawkeyes that began to turn things around for the Spartans. Aaron Henry led the team with 24 points in that game with Michigan State fighting all the way to the end.

On Friday, Izzo addressed everything from the health of the Spartans and potential decisions for the starting lineup to the mindset of the team entering the critical late-season stretch to the season.

MSU coach Tom Izzo says his team is “fairly healthy” right now heading into Saturday’s game vs. Iowa.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 12, 2021

Tom Izzo presser underway … after day off Wednesday, said Thursday's practice was good as Iowa is up next on Saturday. "Guys realize now every opportunity is against a good team."

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) February 12, 2021

Izzo says he'll be starting Malik Hall again tomorrow against Iowa

— Kyle Austin (@kylebaustin) February 12, 2021

Notes that Josh Langford and Gabe Brown are both removed enough from their COVID recoveries to contribute more and team is essentially healthy

— Kyle Austin (@kylebaustin) February 12, 2021

Asked Izzo about the lack of a normal preseason affecting working on rotation and combinations. Says MSU is about a month or two behind where it normally is in making those assessments, which makes sense after the 20-day COVID stoppage with the shortened nonconference schedule. https://t.co/qLtf55gUFs

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 12, 2021

Izzo: “Our margin for error is slimmer than it’s been in other years.” Feels winning a few games in the next few weeks “changes everything” for the Spartans.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) February 12, 2021

Saturday’s game is scheduled to tipoff at 2:30 pm EST on FOX.