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Tom Izzo previews Michigan State’s weekend rivalry clash vs. Michigan
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Michigan State was rolling into a road trip vs. Michigan earlier this season off of an 8-game winning streak. That contest against the Wolverines was called off due to COVID-19, and the Spartans have since struggled on the court.
The Spartans are 2-2 since the canceled game vs. Michigan with 3 of those 4 games decided by a total of 5 points. Most recently, Michigan State lost by 1 to a shorthanded Illinois team as the Illini claimed first place in the B1G.
It has been a different story for Juwan Howard’s Michigan squad. The Wolverines are 3-1 since having games canceled against Michigan State and Purdue with big wins against Maryland and Indiana in that stretch.
On Thursday, Tom Izzo previewed Saturday’s looming visit from the Wolverines. Izzo pointed out Michigan State’s practices have been ramped up heading into the rivalry clash. He was also complimentary of Michigan’s improvements since the time of the first originally scheduled rivalry game.
Tom Izzo presser underway head of Michigan game: “We’ve had a couple of great days of practice so far … any time you play a rivalry, things get picked up, it doesn’t matter the sport or where you are.”
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 27, 2022
Izzo says Michigan’s improvements since the first time MSU scouted the Wolverines have come with them shooting the ball better and scoring more.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 27, 2022
Izzo says the MSU-Michigan rivalry is not the same without fans, as the games were played last year due to COVID restrictions.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 27, 2022
Izzo highlighting Michigan’s size but adds how his favorite player is Eli Brooks. Again calls Michigan “one of the more talented teams in our league.”
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 27, 2022
Izzo: “We’re 15-4. We’ve shown where we can play awfully well.” Turnovers limiting the Spartans’ shot and scoring totals lately. MSU charting every turnover in practice.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 27, 2022
Izzo on loss at Illinois: “Guys were down about how they played. They were disappointed in themselves. I was disappointed in myself. If we played well and lost, that is tolerable. But if we didn’t play well and lost, that’s not tolerable.”
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 27, 2022
Saturday’s tip-off in East Lansing is set for 12:30 pm EST on CBS.
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.