Tom Izzo downplays confidence boost after Nebraska win

On Tuesday, Michigan State was able to start the new year off on the right foot with a victory over Nebraska. With the win, the Spartans improved to 11-4 on the season. But despite the solid start to the year, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is not ready to put his team in the upper echelon of college basketball, at least on the surface. After the Spartans’ victory over the Cornhuskers, Izzo downplayed the notion that the victory hadn’t given him more confidence in his squad.

“I don’t know yet. I’m not confident in this team yet,” said Izzo. “We had one good game period we played decent these last couple of games, but the competition hasn’t been the same as it was during that 11 games in 30 days. But I don’t think Malik is anywhere near the guy he’s going to be. He just brings something to the table. And Pierre hit some shots. (We) got to work a little better defensively. I thought Jaxon Kohler made some nice plays. He, too, defensively struggled a little bit.

“But we got some things that we’ve got to get better at, but I like the fact that I think that the ceiling is a lot higher than it was a couple of weeks ago. And most of that was getting those two guys back healthy.”

Tuesday’s game saw the return of two Spartan key contributors in forward Malik Hall and guard Jaden Atkins. Atkins started in the game and had a rough night shooting going 4 of 12 from the field, one of five from beyond the arc for 9 points. Hall came off the bench and was a force despite the limited playing time, ending the game with five points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Izzo not interested in talking Michigan following win over Nebraska

Michigan is on the clock. But Michigan State coach Tom Izzo wasn’t ready to talk about the Wolverines, at least not immediately after the Spartans’ 74-56 victory over Nebraska on Tuesday.

“What time is it?” Izzo said when asked about Saturday’s upcoming game against Michigan. “I’ll talk about Michigan after midnight. If someone wants to call me, I’ll talk about Michigan then. But I’m going to enjoy this win. I’m not going to talk about Michigan.”

Michigan State split with the Wolverines last year. The rivalry has been mild and somewhat friendly between Izzo and Michigan head coach Juwan Howard. But last year, Izzo had a brief jawing match with Michigan center Hunter Dickinson during the Wolverines’ victory in Ann Arbor.