Michigan State's Tom Izzo: 'We Might Just go to the Beach' to Pass Time Until NCAA Tournament | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Thursday / March 28.
  • Michigan State’s Tom Izzo: ‘We Might Just go to the Beach’ to Pass Time Until NCAA Tournament

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    By MIKE McCURRY

    NEW YORKTom Izzo is accustomed to learning Michigan State’s first-round opponent in the NCAA Tournament moments upon the conclusion of the Big Ten Tournament.

    But this season, with the conference tourney being pushed up a week on account of being relocated to Madison Square Garden, the Spartans—who fell to in-state rival Michigan 75-64 in Saturday’s first Big Ten semifinal—won’t know where they’re headed or who they’re facing in the Big Dance for another eight days.

    They will go at least 12 days and potentially even 13 days until their next game.

    This is unchartered territory for the Hall-of-Fame coach. So, the question begs, how will Izzo and Michigan State pass the time?

    “We might just go to the beach, East Lansing, and see if we can play a little beach basketball and—we’re going to do something,” Izzo said immediately after losing for a third consecutive time to Michigan. “We talked about doing something in Chicago and going over and seeing [Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine] play. We might go down and see the Pistons or do something as a team.”

    Miles Bridges came alive in the second half on Saturday, finishing with 17 points and 7 boards prior to fouling out, but his supporting cast left much to be desired.

    Cassius Winston shot 3-of-10 from the field, missing all four of his three-pointers. Jaren Jackson Jr. required 13 shots to get his 13 points, committing three turnovers as well. Joshua Langford scored just two points on a 1-of-8 shooting display.

    “So we just gotta use this to fuel our fire,” Winston said. “I think everybody didn’t play their best game today. And we just gotta get back to the shop and become that team we can become.”

    While the loss likely costs Michigan State a shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans still figure to be one of the favorites to cut down the nets in San Antonio.

    “The one thing that I would remind everybody, this team has won 12 games in a row and won 29 games this season,” Izzo said.

    “Now, do we have to get it back on track?” he asked shortly after. “Yeah, we do.”

    Maybe the extra rest will benefit Michigan State. Considering all the controversy the program has been embroiled in this season, it’s probably best that next week happens to be spring break at the school, eliminating any needless distractions.

    Of course, if Michigan State performs as we all expect it to in the NCAA Tournament, the unprecedented lengthy layoff will be viewed as a positive mental reset of sorts.

    If the Spartans underachieve, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany better duck.

    Photo: B1GMBBall

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