Tom Izzo calls for better focus from Michigan State

College sports has more distractions today than ever before. From the media coverage to NIL, there’s a lot more on player’s minds than just how they’re playing. That’s why, ahead of Michigan State’s opener in the NCAA Tournament versus USC, Tom Izzo is really hoping to see improved focus from his Spartans.

Izzo spoke about some of the changes around the NCAA and how it leads to a lack of focus from players. There’s a lot more for everyone in the program to juggle but, still, he says it doesn’t excuse some of the efforts they’ve given as of late, specifically against Iowa towards the end of their year as well as in the Big Ten Tournament against Ohio State.

“I just think that staying focused in for a couple of hours of a game and practices and everything? It’s definitely what a lot of coaches are complaining about right now. And there’s getting to be more and more things, as you alluded to, and we’re dealing with it,” Izzo said. “We’re trying to deal with it in the right way. And deal with the NIL and all the issues that they have with that and the expectations for them.”

“And so I have been disappointed,” said Izzo. “At Iowa, we lost a little focus at the end. Against Ohio State, I thought they played awfully well but we didn’t play as good defensively.”

Michigan State enters March Madness with a 19-12 record and in fourth place in the Big Ten. Even so, the Spartans didn’t close well over their final 15 games with a 7-8 record down the stretch. That included their loss in Iowa City after giving up a 12-point lead in the last minute and a half. It also includes their defeat to the Buckeyes where they were down for the majority of the game.

Still, Izzo believes this team has the connection to be able to compete and to win at this point of the year. If they can just lock in to their objective, there’s no reason they can’t put on yet another vintage Michigan State team at this time of the year.

“In general, I’ve said it since this summer. I like this team,” said Izzo. “I don’t think it’s the most talented team I’ve had. But I do think, for the most part, it’s been a pretty connected team. And that’s what we’ve tried to get back is a little more of that connectiveness that gets you through.