Michigan State coach Tom Izzo 'frustrated with the Big Ten office' regarding rescheduling of Minnesota game
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said he and the university have heard no indications from the Big Ten as to when the Minnesota game will be re-scheduled. And he’s angry about it.
Michigan State’s game against Minnesota, originally scheduled for Feb. 14, was postponed due to the campus shootings which left three Michigan State students dead and five others hospitalized. One of those students, who previously was in critical condition and then serious condition, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.
One student remains in fair condition, two are in serious but stable condition, one remains in critical condition.
Michigan State returned to the court on Saturday, Feb. 18 with an emotional loss at Michigan. The Spartans followed with its first home game since the tragedy on Tuesday, with an 80-65 victory over No. 17 Indiana.
Izzo is trying to focus on what he calls his day job – coaching the Spartan basketball team.
“My biggest worry is what do you do after two emotionally incredibly high games,” Izzo said after practice on Thursday. “We have to get emotionally up every game because we are not talented enough, neither are most of the teams in this league. So I don’t want any letdown. That’s easier said than done.”
The lack of clarity on the rescheduling of the Minnesota game had Izzo riled up on Thursday.
“I’m frustrated,” he said. “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m frustrated with the Big Ten office. I’m frustrated with the way it’s gone. I said I thought I would know something by today. I would think by today or tomorrow we have no choice but to know something. I’m disappointed in the way it’s been handled, to be honest.”
Last week, Izzo indicated that the Michigan State vs Minnesota game was likely to be rescheduled for Thursday, March 2, which will take some schedule jumbling from Minnesota and Rutgers.
Minnesota is scheduled to play at home against Rutgers on Thursday, March 2. But the Gophers have four days off prior to that game.
Rutgers has three days off before traveling to Minnesota for the March 2 game.
There were indications that the Rutgers vs Minnesota game scheduled for March 2 could be moved to March 1 or Feb. 28.
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That could mean Minnesota will have to play on back-to-back nights, March 1 (vs Rutgers) and March 2 (at Michigan State).
But Izzo is angry that he has received no further word from the Big Ten on the matter.
“There is nothing clear,” Izzo said. “There is nothing clear! That’s my disappointment. There is nothing clear.
“It’s a tough situation where I don’t know if multiple teams would have to move. I have not gotten into the weeds of that. I’ve had enough problems of my own. I’m not trying to run the Big Ten office or the scheduling department but I’m not real pleased by the way it’s gone about and the communication. But it is what it is.”
The lack of leadership at the top of the Big Ten could be a factor. Kevin Warren announced on Jan. 12 that he was stepping down as Big Ten commissioner in order to become president and CEO of the Chicago Bears. The Big Ten is in the process of finding a new commissioner, and lack of leadership at the top could be having an impact on Michigan State’s rescheduling dilemma.
“In the last 10 days since this has happened, I’ve had a lot of things on my plate,” Izzo said. “One is not to be the commissioner or the head of the Big Ten or the scheduling man, or any of those people. So yes, I’m a little frustrated. Next question.”
Izzo was asked what he thinks the chances are that the game will be rescheduled at all.
“I have no clue,” Izzo said. “I just gave you as bluntly as I can give you what I think of everything.”
