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Tom Izzo considers whether Michigan struggles impact rivalry

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/01/24•

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Juwan Howard Tom Izzo
Michigan coach Juwan Howard is 4-5 against MSU's Tom Izzo. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Tuesday’s Michigan–Michigan State game was historic for many reasons, including Tom Izzo recording his 700th career win. Nobody better to do it against, taking down the in-state rivals by 19 points. It’s a game Izzo is always looking to win and the Spartans took care of business in the second half.

Questions did pop up surrounding the intensity of this year’s rivalry game. Michigan is struggling at the moment and currently sits in dead last of the Big Ten. Rivalries usually thrive when both teams are playing well and a lot is one the line.

Izzo was still juiced up to face off against Michigan, saying he did not sleep well the night before.

“I was here and not winning much,” Izzo said. “It was still a rivalry. I’ve been here when I was wining a lot. It was still a rivalry. I have enough over my 39.5 years of goods and bads — the rivalry will never die for me. And I’m sure for them too. But nobody has been there that long for them.”

The basketball rivalry between these two schools goes back to 1909, with the first game taking place in Ann Arbor. On 18 different occasions, they have both been ranked in the AP poll leading into the matchup. Michigan State has 11 wins in those games, with Michigan earning just seven.

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We have even seen Michigan-Michigan State take place in the postseason, playing one another in the Big Ten Tournament on three different occasions. Never has there been a showdown in the NCAA Tournament, though.

No matter the circumstances, Izzo will always believe the rivalry is alive. Throw out all the record books because when Michigan State is able to take down Michigan, it’s a win for the program. People in the state want to win this game.

“A rivalry is something that is not about the coaches,” Izzo said. “It’s not even about the teams. It’s about the people that went to school at each place. It’s about people that pull for their teams. A rivalry should go on forever… Doesn’t matter when you play your rival in football, if they’re 0-10, and you’re 10-0. Rivalries are rivalries.”

Izzo will get another crack at Michigan in a couple of weeks, with the return trip to the Crisler Center scheduled for Feb. 17. Even if the Wolverines are still in a bit of a slump, Michigan State will be ready to rock and go for their first sweep since the 2018-2019 season.