Michigan State basketball continues to impress Tom Izzo. But you know he’s not relaxing

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EVANSTON, Ill. – Even with a 23-point first-half lead, in front of a large contingent of Michigan State basketball fans filling Welsh-Ryan Arena, Tom Izzo knew Chris Collins’ team would make a run.

What he needed to see in Sunday afternoon’s second half at Northwestern was how his 14th-ranked Spartans would respond to that response.

The result left Izzo feeling good overall about his team’s tenacity and hot start but also a bit miffed at how it unfolded and potentially could have unraveled in the 78-68 victory.

“It doesn’t make me feel good. You want to finish strong,” Izzo said after MSU’s ninth straight win. “I mean, finishing games is a big key. And I did not like the way we finished. But I really was impressed by the maybe the first 20-some minutes, I really was. And I don’t get impressed easy.”

The win streak is the longest for the Spartans (14-2, 5-0 Big Ten) since they also won nine straight in 2021-22. The five-win start to conference play is MSU’s best since opening the 2018-19 Big Ten slate with nine straight victories en route to Izzo’s most recent Final Four appearance.

Jan 12, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Ty Berry (3) defends Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson (11) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

But it also was a second straight game in which Izzo watched his team appear to let off the gas after building a big lead.

In Thursday’s 88-54 blowout of Washington, the Spartans allowed 13 first-half points and 41 in the second period. That somewhat concerned Izzo, despite being ecstatic over what at one point was a 41-point lead.

MSU carried that swagger and all-around play at both ends of the floor into the opening half against the Wildcats (10-6, 1-4), who have lost three in a now but also are a veteran group under Collins.

GAME STORY: Michigan State basketball’s beautiful game dazzles Northwestern 78-68 in 9th straight win

All 10 Spartans who saw first-half…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-basketball-continues-impress-110840226.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-01-13 11:08:00

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