Reaction: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was 'just happy for our people'
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo shared emotional hugs with friends and support staff as he exited the court on Tuesday following the Spartans’ 80-65 victory over No. 17 Indiana.
It was the Spartans’ first game at home since a tragic on-campus shooting took the lives of three Michigan State students and hospitalized five others, on Feb. 13.
“I swear to you, I was just happy for our people,” Izzo said. “I really was. I was happy for our team but I was happier for our students. Some of them are scared to go back into the classroom. Some of them are worried about going into the dorms.
“I tried to walk the campus today, going for a walk in the cold. I just want to make people feel comfortable, you know?”
Basketball isn’t much, but it’s something. And Izzo wants this little something to resonate with anyone who needed it.
“I thought here is one two-hour period where maybe they can forget about all the things that they had to deal with and they get a chance to enjoy, and that’s what sports can do,” Izzo said. “It doesn’t take away all the pain but it’s a like a little aspirin for maybe a couple of hours.
“Our fans did a hell of a job and our players did.”
Michigan State bounced back from an early 12-3 deficit to win by double-digits. The Spartans improved to 17-10 overall and 9-7 in the Big Ten.
Michigan State is in a six-way tie for fourth place in the Big Ten. The top four teams in the Big Ten get a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
Izzo felt the Spartans gave a great effort for most of the game during Saturday’s loss at Michigan, but said there were times when focus and execution wasn’t sharp – perhaps understandably.
“We talked about that in the huddle at Michigan: We’ve got to finish the job, finish the job; stay focused, stay focused, stay focused,” Izzo said. “Easier said than done.”
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They wanted to take it a step further in this game.
“A couple of times in the pre-game talk, I saw guys, and I jumped ‘em a little bit,” Izzo said. “I said it’s going to be 40 minutes of focus time.
“I didn’t mince words. I did feel like we were playing for our community, for our alums. I always feel that way. But this took on a whole new meaning of it and we are playing for three people that aren’t with us anymore and five that are fighting for their lives.
“That’s good if it’s from your heart, but it’s hard when it’s on your shoulders.”
Tyson Walker led Michigan State with 23 points. He hit four straight 3-pointers late in the first half to change the course of the game.
Michigan State played energetic team defense against Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, a strong candidate for first-team All-American honors.
The Spartans out-rebounded Indiana 33-24 and was scrappier than the Hoosiers for loose balls.
“I hope somehow (you) appreciate what the players did because everybody talks about how hard it is on everybody, but our players still had to go to class, had to go to some of those places, had to come here and practice,” Izzo said. “They felt some of the weight.
“Everybody in our building – everybody – from our secretaries to our managers to our student secretaries to our trainers, everybody in the building, we tried to rally everybody. Because everybody is going through a tough time. And I’m hoping and praying that tonight was that little break.”
