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Izzo's focus still on survivors and team, not 'OTL' report

February 17, 2018
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo interacts with sophomore guard Miles Bridges (22) during the second half of the men's basketball game against Wisconsin on Jan. 26, 2018 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Badgers, 76-61. (Nic Antaya | The State News)
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo interacts with sophomore guard Miles Bridges (22) during the second half of the men's basketball game against Wisconsin on Jan. 26, 2018 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Badgers, 76-61. (Nic Antaya | The State News) —

After men's basketball's 65-60 comeback victory against Northwestern Saturday afternoon, head coach Tom Izzo declined to answer questions about the most recent "Outside The Lines" report in his postgame press conference.

Instead, he referred to interim president John Engler's Friday comments and said "as much as can be said at this time."

"I appreciate his leadership and support," Izzo said in his postgame press conference. "But as I said guys, right now my focus continues to be on the healing process of those survivors, our university, our community and my team. And that's what I'm going to stick with.

"There will be more said." 

The report details an investigation by Ingham County prosecutors into a freshman walk-on player for an incident in August 2017. No formal charges have been filed by the prosecutor's office. 

MSU police classified the incident as a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Izzo said the ongoing investigation into the freshman didn't affect his decision in recent weeks to not answer general questions about sexual assault.

The Hall of Fame coach said there's still a "good amount of normalcy" going on between his staff and their lives, but said college campuses sometimes don't have a lot of normalcy.

"It's been challenging, but I think that should speak more than anything. Definitely not about me, but about those players," Izzo said. "I heard (Golden State Warriors head coach) Steve Kerr catch a lot of, whatever, from a lot of reporters about a player-coached team. I couldn't agree with what he did more. I've done it a many of times to be honest with you."

Izzo said a player-coached team is a "model in our locker" and the model has helped his players "really grow up."

"I think they've done a hell of a job," Izzo said.

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