What Tom Izzo had to say following MSU’s narrow win over Ohio State

Michigan State basketball survived an upset scare on Sunday afternoon, holding off a pesky Ohio State team to earn a 66-60 victory.

Following the win, head coach Tom Izzo spoke with the media about his team’s performance:

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“Ohio State did a better job than we did. I’m just really disappointed in our team. I cannot sugarcoat it. The unforced turnovers, we had one 10 seconds into the game.”

“The whole gameplan was to keep Bruce Thornton out of the paint, and that did not happen.”

“We have a unique thing in basketball, you have to play offense and defense. There is no question that last year Cooper was one of my best defensive bigs. But we have to get more out of him, it’s not enough.”

“I will take blame for most of it, as the coach. But I will not take blame for the first one (the first play being a turnover).”

“I felt bad for the Izzone, this was their last game. We didn’t give them enough to cheer about. I don’t know if everyone knows this, but kissing the logo is a tradition, and our Izzone seniors are kissing it after their last game.”

“We found a way, then we missed free throws and didn’t guard. I bet you everyone knew that Thornton was going to take the ball and drive it, we just didn’t respond. I am disappointed in myself, I didn’t get through to the team.”

“This is the time of year you have to get better. Today, we did not get better. We will have a team meeting tonight.”

“We just did not do what we were supposed to do.”

“They were not ready to play. When you throw the ball away the first play, you are not ready to play.”

“Players did a better job, it was not better coaching,” on the difference first half to second half.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: What Tom Izzo had to say following MSU’s narrow win over Ohio State

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tom-izzo-had-following-msus-215134632.html

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Publish date : 2026-02-22 21:51:00

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