Tom Izzo Has Spartan Basketball Defying Odds With One of His Best Teams
Breslin Center
East Lansing, MI
Tom Izzo has accomplished many things. That is why there is no doubt he is entering the Hall of Fame this year. But in the midst of his teams current record of 21-5 (8-5) and being ranked sixth in the Big Ten, somehow his team holds the national ranking of eighth. Yes, you read that right. While MSU is sixth in the Big Tenthey are ranked eighth nationally.
So how is that possible? Izzo said, “Get better every day. Get better every day. I don’t care where we’re ranked; I don’t care what we’ve got. You know, you wanted certain things because you didn’t want to have to play in the Thursday night game in the Big Ten tournament. I don’t know, I don’t know if it matters. You want a higher seed that definitely matters. So we’re playing for those two things now. We’re not sitting here thinking we can win the Big Ten unless a bunch of people explode. So I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about us getting better every day. I thought we had a decent week of practice, I don’t think it was as good as it needs to be.”
But Izzo doesn’t want to talk about his team after blowing out Indiana. A tough Wisconsin team that beat his Spartan back on January 17 in Madison 77-76 is on the horizon for Thursday night.
Izzo said of the incoming Badgers that, “Now we play a team that’s won six, seven in a row, and beat us, started it with us I think, or close to it. And that was the day after we lost Tum. So now we’re on our own mission on what we want to do. But almost more than win games, I want to get better every day, because I know what the tournament’s gonna be like and that’s kind of what you’re looking forward to now.”
But Izzo is a big picture guy. His tea will make the NCAA tournament for sure this season, but he wants more. With is 19th straight tournament invite most certainly in hand he is rooting for the Big Ten. Well, kind of. “Pretty soon I’m gonna be hoping for all these Big Ten teams to keep winning, because I think we’ve got a lot of good teams in our league. Thanks.”
The Spartans tilt with the Badgers tips off at 9PM and that game can be seen on ESPN.
