Tom Izzo Encourages Rutgers Freshmen To Stay With Pikiell

Rutgers didn’t get the win Tuesday night, but it may have earned something just as meaningful — public respect from one of the most decorated coaches in college basketball history.

After No. 7 Michigan State escaped Jersey Mike’s Arena with an 88–79 overtime win, Tom Izzo didn’t spend much time celebrating. Instead, he spent much of his postgame press conference talking about Rutgers, Steve Pikiell, and a group of Scarlet Knight freshmen he believes should think twice before ever entering the transfer portal.

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In a game where Rutgers led for most of regulation and pushed the Spartans to the brink, Izzo admitted his team had been outplayed and, in his words, out-coached for large stretches of the night. But what stood out most was how deeply impressed he was with the way Pikiell’s young roster competed.

Izzo’s Respect for Pikiell’s Game Plan

Izzo praised Pikiell’s game plan, particularly Rutgers’ use of a smaller, quicker lineup that gave Michigan State problems for nearly 40 minutes. He called the approach “brilliant” and noted how hard Rutgers’ players competed for possession after possession.

That admiration extended beyond strategy. Izzo made it clear he sees what Pikiell is building in Piscataway, even during a season where the results haven’t always followed.

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He specifically pointed to Rutgers’ freshmen — Harun Zrno, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers, and Chris Nwuli — as players who showed toughness, energy, and long-term potential throughout the game.

Zrno had 16 points as his three-point shots fell, while the Knights got double-digit points from Darren Buchanan Jr., Jamichael Davis, and Dylan Grant, in addition to another masterful 23-point performance from Tariq Francis off the bench.

“If He Keeps Those Four Freshmen…”

Izzo compared Rutgers’ young core to Michigan State’s own veterans, saying, “If he keeps those four freshmen, they’ll be like Jaxon Kohler, (Carson) Cooper, Jeremy (Fears Jr.), and Coen (Carr)….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tom-izzo-encourages-rutgers-freshmen-035635817.html

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Publish date : 2026-01-30 03:56:00

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