Tom Izzo thankful win vs. Maryland didn't mirror the UNC-Duke game
Tom Izzo was left to sweat out win No. 663 as Michigan State watched a big lead slip away vs. Maryland. In fact, he was worried the milestone win slipping away might mirror the final regular-season game of Mike Krzyzewski’s career.
Throughout the first half, Michigan State gained control and clamped down on the defensive end of the floor. In the second half, the Terrapins battled back in a ferocious fashion before the Spartans closed it out behind a 7-point push from Malik Hall.
According to Ryan Black with the Lansing State Journal, that second half had Izzo worried Sunday’s game might turn into the UNC-Duke game of Saturday evening. In that game, the Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils in Coach K’s final home game of his career after entering the game as double-digit underdogs.
Fortunately for Izzo, it was a happy ending – and the B1G’s all-time record – at the final whistle.
Izzo jokes that the way the second half went, he was worried it “might turn into the Duke game,” referring to the team’s loss to UNC last night in Coach K’s final home contest at Cameron Indoor.
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) March 6, 2022
Black also pointed out an emotional Izzo was quick to deflect the attention away from his accomplishment and onto his sending out his seniors in proper fashion.
Tom Izzo visibly emotional as he’s being honored for the accomplishment. “All right, this is enough.” Said it’s more about senior day than anything he’s accomplished as a coach.
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) March 6, 2022
Now, the Spartans will move on to the B1G Tournament. Michigan State is locked into the 7-seed and will face Maryland as the 10-seed in a rematch of Sunday’s regular-season finale.