Tom Izzo is a passionate coach, and he has shown that in almost every game in his esteemed career of over 40 years. Izzo turned 71 on Friday, and that passion hasn’t decreased one bit. He still gives his all to his players, and in interviews, he doesn’t shy away from being brutally honest.
On Friday, the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines met at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The rivalry has always been fierce. Last season, Izzo’s Spartans got the better of Dusty May and the Wolverines twice. This year, both teams have almost identical records, with Michigan State at 19-2 and the Wolverines slightly better at 19-1. In Friday’s game, Dusty May was welcomed with abusive chants from the student section. This surely fired up the Wolverines, who played a strong first half.
The first half totally belonged to the Michigan Wolverines, as they led 42-26. Also, Izzo had an outburst on the sidelines.
A frustrated Tom Izzo was seen frantically moving on the sidelines and arguing with the referee after a foul call did not go Michigan State’s way. Fans on social media ridiculed Izzo for his reaction and called him a ‘crybaby.’ Despite a disappointing first half, the Spartans turned it up in the second half but still lost 83-71.
Michigan State Spartans Fail to Gift Tom Izzo Comeback Win on 71st Birthday
Although the first half completely belonged to the Michigan Wolverines, Tom Izzo lit a fire in Michigan State players, who meant business in the second half. To overcome a 16-point deficit, the Michigan State Spartans overtook the game with strong performances from Jeremy Fears Jr., Jaxon Kohler, and Coen Carr.
Both teams had their ups and downs. After being on the backfoot for most of the second half, the Wolverines locked in when it mattered the most. In the last five minutes, Michigan kept the possession, made the right shots, rebounded well, and defended like their lives depended on it. Michigan State, on the other hand, missed crucial free throws, important rebounds, and gave away too many fouls.
Decisive play towards the end of a highly entertaining battle saved the game for the Wolverines, who won 83-71.
Michigan State Spartans Box Scores:
| Player | Min | Reb | Ast | Pts |
| 0
Jaxon Kohler • F |
36 | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| 55
Coen Carr • F |
34 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| 15
Carson Cooper • C |
26 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 1
Jeremy Fears Jr. • G |
35 | 5 | 7 | 31 |
| 99
Divine Ugochukwu • G |
12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3
Cam Ward |
8 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 6
Jordan Scott |
26 | 4 | 1 | 10 |
| 35
Jesse McCulloch |
8 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2
Kur Teng |
11 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 9
Trey Fort |
3 | 0 | 0 | |
Michigan Wolverines Box Score:
| Player | Min | Reb | Ast | Pts |
| 21
Morez Johnson Jr • F |
29 | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| 23
Yaxel Lendeborg • F |
35 | 12 | 1 | 26 |
| 15
Aday Mara • C |
21 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 4
Nimari Burnett • G |
12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3
Elliot Cadeau • G |
30 | 3 | 6 | 17 |
| 42
Will Tschetter |
17 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 11
Roddy Gayle Jr |
21 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2
L.J. Carson |
12 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 1
Trey McKenney |
23 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
Read more:
LOOK: Michigan HC Dusty May Smiles Through “F*ck You Dusty” Chants From Hostile Michigan State Crowd
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
