Tom Izzo claims Dusty May has done a 'heck of a job' in first year at Michigan

Tom Izzo is very fond of the job Dusty May has done so far at Michigan. The legendary coach said so following Michigan State’s win over the Wolverines.

Usually, coaches are a little more complimentary when it comes to their team losing to another good team. But Izzo sent compliments towards the first-year head coach following the battle between two top 15 teams. The Spartans got it done in Ann Arbor no less.

“That is the strategy: we score, they don’t,” Izzo began. “Our defense has been really good all year. We’re No. 1 in the league for a reason, that’s what we started saying. Those guys are starting to say it now. I think 3:58 left there was a timeout and they talked about cranking up the defense, not giving up shots, we couldn’t give up 3s, couldn’t foul guys. We did a hell of a job because that’s a damn good team, very well-coached. (Coach Dusty May) done a heck of a job there in his first year.”

As far as what’s different with the rivalry, Izzo didn’t point out anything specific. But there’s no doubt May brought a different look and a new intensity to one of the better showdowns in college basketball.

“Well, what’s new over the last couple years is we’ve won down here. I don’t know if much is different,” Izzo said. “There’s nothing better than beating your rival on their home floor, that’s just the way it is. And they’re gonna get a chance to do that to us now coming up. I think our guys prepared very well. I was really concerned, two-day prep with those big guys and the way they run that pick-and-roll for each other. They’re very good at it, and I thought we did a decent job. 

“We let (Vlad) Goldin get free a couple times, but he got free a couple times because we didn’t get back defensively. I was really mad (during) a couple of those timeouts because I didn’t think we were getting back and we weren’t communicating. They do a good job. They got players. I like the two (bigs), but I like Donaldson, I like Burnett, I like Jones. Tschetter is a guy you can’t let score and he scores a 3. They got a lot of different weapons.”

The two teams will square off again, but this time on Izzo’s team’s homecourt in East Lansing on March 9th at 12:00 p.m. ET.