Category: Tom Izzo

Michigan State basketball beats Michigan for Tom Izzo’s 700th win

Tom Izzo gets win 700 as Michigan State handles Michigan in the second half for a 19-point victory

After a start to a game where Michigan could not miss from the field, Michigan State basketball was able to pull away to beat the Wolverines at home 81-62, earning Tom Izzo his 700th win as a head coach. A fitting way to celebrate the milestone for the Hall of Fame coach, and on his birthday nonetheless.

This was a very balanced game for MSU, with four starters scoring in double-figures. However, this game was really the Jaden Akins show. Akins could not miss from three, going 7-for-10 on the night, in what was easily his best game of the season.

A.J. Hoggard also stood out tonight with 15 points and seven assists, playing physical at the rim and making great plays for his teammates. Malik Hall and Tyson Walker both scored 12, and neither of them hit a three-pointer on the night. Both players found ways to get inside and score at the rim to help the Spartans close it out.

The Spartans are now 13-8 on the season and 5-5 in the Big Ten. They will host Maryland Saturday in a game where the Terrapins will definitely be out for revenge.

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QUOTES: Tom Izzo talks to press conference to kickoff Michigan State basketball rivalry week

Tom Izzo talks to the media to kickoff Michigan State basketball rivalry week

It’s rivalry week at Michigan State basketball. The women’s team already handled business against Michigan this weekend, and now it’s the men’s team’s job to host and defeat the Wolverines on Tuesday night.

Before the game, Tom Izzo hosted his usual Monday press conference to talk about his team, the rivalry, and even commented on the Detroit Lions playoff run.

You can see a few of his most notable quotes below.

WATCH: Tom Izzo comments on Detroit Lions’ NFC Championship loss

WATCH: Tom Izzo comments on Detroit Lions’ NFC Championship loss

If you follow the career of Tom Izzo even a little bit, you have probably found out that the Michigan State basketball head coach is a big-time football fan. So it wasn’t a big surprised that Izzo had some thoughts about the Detroit Lions Sunday night NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Specially, Tom Izzo came to the defense of fellow head coach Dan Campbell, who was criticized by some for his aggressive decisions in a heartbreaking loss.

You can watch Izzo’s full comments below:

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Quotes: Tom Izzo talks to media before big Michigan State basketball road game vs. Wisconsin

Tom Izzo talks to the media before big Michigan State basketball road game vs. Wisconsin

It was a huge weekend for Michigan State basketball, as the Spartans became just the third team to beat Maryland in College Park in the last two years, giving their NCAA Tournament dreams a lot of much-needed help.

Now, the Spartans turn to another very difficult road game, as they get ready to head to Madison to face a Wisconsin team that ranked No. 13 in the nation.

Before the game, Tom Izzo had his weekly press conference on Tuesday to give some updates on his program. You can find the most notable quotes from that session below.

WATCH: Tom Izzo explains technical foul against Minnesota

Watch Tom Izzo explain his technical foul during the Minnesota game:

In a closely contested second half against Minnesota on Thursday night at the Breslin Center, MSU head coach Tom Izzo took a technical foul.

After the game, Izzo spoke to the media and explained why he got the technical and what he said to the official.

Watch what Izzo said about his technical foul, courtesy of Spartans Illustrated’s David Harns via X:

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Quotes: Tom Izzo critical of his Michigan State basketball team following win over Minnesota

Six quotes from Tom Izzo team following MSU’s win over Minnesota

At the end of the day, the computers will look at this 10-point win against Minnesota favorably, and it will help Michigan State basketball’s NCAA tournament resume. In reality, it wasn’t a perfect day for the Spartans against the Golden Gophers.

MSU gifted the Golden Gophers numerous easy looks and couldn’t hit shots, even from the free throw line, where it shot 65% on the night.

After the game, Tom Izzo was still a little hot about his team despite the win, and as always, he wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts. You can find the most notable quotes from Izzo’s postgame presser below.

Five quotes from Tom Izzo following Michigan State basketball’s loss to No. 10 Illinois

Five quotes from Tom Izzo following Michigan State basketball’s loss to No. 10 Illinois

Michigan State basketball suffered yet another road loss on Thursday night, falling to No. 10 Illinois 71-68 on the road at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

The pressure continues to mount for an MSU team that is now 9-7 on the season and will need to go on a big run to ensure they can make it back into the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans started the season as one of the top teams in the country and are now securely on the bubble.

Following the loss, Tom Izzo spoke to the media. You can find the top five quotes from that session below.

Tom Izzo comments on Nick Saban’s retirement: ‘I think he’s the greatest coach in the history of football’

Tom Izzo commented on his old friend Nick Saban’s retirement

Nick Saban is retiring. The former Michigan State football head coach who won six national championships with Alabama and one with LSU will ride off into the sunset after one of the greatest careers of any coach the sport has ever seen.

It’s no secret Saban and Tom Izzo are friends. They were assistant coaches at MSU at the same time, and they became head coaches at MSU at the same time. So, naturally, Izzo was asked to comment on the momentous news that Saban will be stepping away from the sport, at least as a coach.

“I think he’s the greatest coach in the history of football,” Izzo told Larry Lage of the Associated Press. “There are a lot of great coaches, but what he’s done and the consistency that he did it — in an era where so many people and things are coming at you — is remarkable.”

Gallery: Photo’s from Nick Saban’s tenure with Michigan State football

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WATCH: Tom Izzo addresses Izzone Alumni after Michigan State basketball win over Penn State

WATCH: Tom Izzo addresses Izzone Alumni after Michigan State basketball win over Penn State

It was a big night for Michigan State basketball as they took out Penn State by 31 at home. It should probably be no surprise that the Spartans won by a large margin, as this was the Izzone Alumni reunion game, and a crew of former Izzone members were in attendance to support their team.

After the game, Tom Izzo addressed the Izzone Alumni with a cool message. You can watch it below:

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Quotes: Tom Izzo pleased with Michigan State basketball’s win over Penn State

Quotes: Tom Izzo pleased with Michigan State basketball’s win over Penn State

It was a great day at the office for the resurgent Michigan State basketball team as they hosted Penn State in some Big Ten action, which is rarely an easy night no matter who you play. The Spartans handled the Nittany Lions at home with a final score of 92 to 61.

The MSU defense smothered Penn State all night, and Malik Hall and Tyson Walker both scored over 20. Jaden Akins, A.J. Hoggard and Tre Holloman also added 10 points each.

After the game, Tom Izzo was extremely pleased about the performance and spoke to the media about his squad. You can find the best quotes from that session below.