Tom Izzo Takes Exception When Questioned About His Record vs. Duke
A 1-2 record through three games is not the start to the 2023-24 season that anyone expected for Michigan State men's basketball.
While we all knew that a matchup against Duke in the Champions Classic would be a challenge for the Spartans, none of us imagined Michigan State would drop its season-opener to James Madison. Despite those setbacks, head coach Tom Izzo reiterated after a 74-65 loss to the Blue Devils that he believes he has "a damn good team."
While Izzo is disappointed in how the season has began, he was more optimistic than one would expect after the loss to Duke. One question in his postgame press conference, however, clearly irked the 29-year veteran.
"Tom, you're 3-14 against Duke," the Detroit News' reporter Madeline Kenney noted. "Why does it seem like they always have the upper hand?"
After taking time to contemplate, Izzo replied.
"Probably because their players have played better, and their coaches have coached better," izzo said. "We've had battles with them for a lot of years. There's not many people in our league that will play them 15, 16, 17 times."
Izzo noted that not many (if any) programs outside of Duke's conference opponents in the ACC have scheduled the Blue Devils willingly as often as the Spartans have done over the past 29 years.
"Why am I 3-14? That's probably 12 times more — I'd like to know what their record is against a bunch of other people," Izzo said. "They're good, you know? Give them credit, they're good. And give me blame, because I've had different players and still lost, so it's got to be the coach. And I accept that."
Tuesday's matchup was the first time Izzo coached against a Duke team not coached by the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, whom has a 13-3 head-to-head record against Izzo. Following Krzyzewski's retirement after the 2021-22 season, his former player and then-assistant Jon Scheyer took on the mantle.
"I sent Mike [Kryzewski] a text the other day, 'I'm going to miss you on the bench'," Izzo said. "He said something back about...me being a favorite and a good guy. I said, hell yeah, anybody I beat as much as you've beat me would be my favorite too. So, I understand that."
Izzo took on a more serious tone to conclude his answer.
"I don't like that. I don't like that question because I don't have a good answer, but I'm playing them," Izzo said with a glare. "And guess what, if I leave this freaking place I'm going to play them again."
As the press conference was concluding, Izzo brought the topic back up saying, "I'll try to correct it, guys. I'll call Jonny tomorrow, schedule Duke again" before asking what Michigan State's recent record was against the Blue Devils. The Spartans were 2-2 in the four meeting prior to Tuesday night's.
"That's probably a better record than most people have had against Duke," Izzo said. "Sorry for being sarcastic on that, but I don't know what you want. They beat us because they've been better. And they beat us because they're better-coached. I've got no problem saying that.
"Tonight, I give Jon a lot of credit, I think he did a hell of a job...He's had a good mentor, he did a good job and Michigan State's still in good shape. We're just not playing as well as we can."
For more coverage of Michigan State Athletics:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @SpartanNationPodcast
- Follow us on Facebook: @SpartanNation
- Follow us on Twitter: @mlounsberry_SI | @a3danm
