Tom Izzo compares free throw struggles to having cancer

On Saturday, Michigan State fell 77-74 to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals. In the loss, the Spartans shot 19-24 (79%) from the free-throw line. However, three of their five misses at the charity stripe came within the final six minutes of the game. After the loss, MSU head coach Tom Izzo was blunt about his team’s free throw woes late in the game.

“I talked about some guys that didn’t cut it at the free-throw line, and we lost to a team that went to the Final Four. Those are the little things that we talk about,” Izzo said. “It makes me sad because it’s kind of like cancer, where you never really appreciate it and how horrible it can be until it happens to you or someone close to you. What happens to preventative management? What happens to listen to the doctor that tells you don’t smoke or whatever the issue would be?

“I think I really hit on that with our players last night and today. Does it mean a little more because we got away with a bunch of wins? I hope not. I think that’s the hardest part about the changing coaching is it’s almost illegal to be as demanding, but I did a better job this year. Not quite good enough.”

For reference, Michigan State still shot above its 78.1% free-throw shooting average this season. Nonetheless, Izzo demands more from his team in March.

After all, Michigan State defeated Wisconsin 71-62 just 13 days before its loss on Saturday. In the win, the Spartans shot 13-16 (81.3%) from the charity stripe. If the Spartans had been as efficient in their rematch against the Badgers, they might have been playing for the Big Ten Conference Tournament title on Sunday.

Alas, there’s nothing Michigan State can do now but learn from the experience and prepare for the NCAA Tournament. Tom Izzo certainly believes his team still has room for improvement.

“Today there was a lot of things to learn,” Izzo said on Saturday. “Like the last two weeks I’ve been talking a lot about free-throw shooting, you know. Everybody’s got a different philosophy. Most people are afraid to deal with the white elephant in the room. I never have been.

“Oh, you don’t want to put too much pressure on the kid. Oh, you don’t want to make him nervous about his shot. That’s just not who I am. I’ve been harping a little bit on getting in and getting extra free-throw shooting. I think guys felt a little comfortable, and we went from an 82 percent shooting, the last five games we shot about 70. One or two free throws today might make the difference in the game.”