Tom Izzo’s goal for Michigan State basketball: Don’t worry about others in Big Ten race

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EAST LANSING – When Tom Izzo last stepped to the Breslin Center podium, beating Wisconsin meant everything for Michigan State basketball.

Then Michigan lost at home to Illinois a few hours later. Suddenly, Sunday’s celebration had new meaning. The Spartans now need just one win to clinch his record-tying 11th Big Ten title.

By the time No. 7 MSU tips off Thursday at Iowa (8 p.m., FS1), however, Izzo and his team will know if they’re playing for an outright championship. The 15th-ranked Wolverines host No. 14 Maryland on Wednesday in a game that will shape the importance of the final days of the regular season.

If U-M loses, the Spartans will clinch at least a share. If the Wolverines win, MSU gets a piece by beating the Hawkeyes. And a U-M loss coupled with an MSU win gives the Spartans the outright title and renders their rivalry rematch moot in the Big Ten title picture.

Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo show disappointment after arguing a call with the referees during the second half in the game against Wisconsin on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Yet Izzo on Tuesday, at the same podium, said he has not talked to his team about what’s at stake since it won a fifth straight game and fourth against a ranked opponent against the Badgers. He insisted the Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) won’t celebrate at Carver-Hawkeye Arena one way or another if they win, either a portion or the outright crown.

First, he said, because he would never do that on an opponent’s floor. Secondly, because of the respect he has for Fran McCaffery, his coaching staff and the Iowa fans.

“And third of all,” Izzo said Tuesday, “we have bigger goals than just winning it. Winning it, and winning it outright.

“And there’s other goals that we have, playing better all the time so we get more prepared for the tournaments that are coming up when it’s one bad day, one bad half, and now you’re out.”

In his 30th season, Izzo can tie Indiana’s Bob Knight and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/tom-izzos-goal-michigan-state-110802272.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-03-05 11:08:00

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