Michigan State basketball’s deep rotation gives them fresh legs when it matters most

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EAST LANSING – There exists a beauty in the team-first basketball Michigan State continues to play.

A deep rotation. Contributions from throughout the roster. Balance across the board, from production to minute distribution.

And in doing so, Tom Izzo – who often talks about “unintended consequences” of decisions – is learning his shift in philosophy for these Spartans is reaping some unexpected benefits as March arrives.

“We’ve had some good benches, but not where they were utilized like these guys,” Izzo said after practice Friday. “We just got a togetherness that they all understand what each guy is doing.”

No. 8 MSU (23-5, 14-3 Big Ten) carries a four-game win streak into a fourth straight ranked matchup Sunday against No. 11 Wisconsin (22-6, 12-5). Tipoff is 1:30 p.m. at Breslin Center (CBS).

Feb 21, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tre Holloman (5) talks with forward Jaxon Kohler (0) and center Carson Cooper (15) during the second half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

After years of whittling his stretch-run rotation by January with success – 26 straight NCAA tournament appearances, 10 regular-season Big Ten titles and five other second-place finishes in 30 seasons attest to this – Izzo continues to deploy 10 Spartans in waves.

And continues to get buy-in without ego from all of them.

“I think what’s nice about us is that we have a lot of guys that aren’t worried about their personal stats or their personal records more than our team winning,” junior center Carson Cooper said Friday. “I think that’s something that we might not have had as strongly the last two years. This year, everyone’s really set on doing what they’re best at to the best of their ability to help our team win.

“And when winning is ultimately the main goal, it kind of changes the whole dynamic.”

IZZO: IB1G title within Michigan State basketball reach ‘if we take care of our business’

Though roles have shifted…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/michigan-state-basketballs-deep-rotation-110900460.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-03-02 11:09:00

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