More than five months ago, Michigan State University men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo wasn’t sure where his team would be skill-wise.
He didn’t know the Spartans would go undefeated in December and January, finish the season with a 17-3 conference record or how his players, both old and new, would enter new roles and attack the season. But what matters now is thinking about the near future — No. 2 MSU’s Friday matchup against No. 6 Ole Miss in Atlanta in the Sweet Sixteen.
Izzo is emphasizing consistency.
The Spartans have rarely been inconsistent, even more rarely for an entire game, but they’ve found themselves having to come back from early deficits often lately. Adjusting from first-half mistakes have become more common, having trailed in 10 of its last 14 games, including their win over No. 10 New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last weekend.
In future matchups like Friday’s, MSU might not be able to recover from early deficits. Izzo knows it, and he’s making sure his players understand the importance of starting strong.
“Sooner or later, you’re going to run into a team that’s just better, or the comebacks won’t work,” Izzo said on Tuesday during a press conference. “We have to figure out a way to do better in the beginning.”
Izzo mentioned that MSU has worked on minor adjustments. Free-throw shooting has dropped recently, and small mistakes — often overlooked — can become game-changers in one-and-done situations, especially against an Ole Miss team shooting 49% from three in the NCAA Tournament.
Izzo has faced these small mistakes, upsets and late-game thrillers throughout his 30 seasons as head coach, including 27 straight NCAA Tournaments and 16 Sweet Sixteens. He knows how things can go either way — and he’s ensuring his players understand that, too.
“You got the chance to do something few people have the chance to do in their lifetime,” Izzo told his players. “We never understand until we’ve gone through it ourselves.”
Now, Izzo and his team will face it, though the outcome remains uncertain. Consistency will be key, especially in first-half versus second-half performances against Ole Miss. Izzo didn’t know this is where his team would be at the start of the season, but they’ve arrived — and must continue to show what’s made them successful. Time will tell.
“It’s not the best team, it’s who plays the best,” Izzo said. “And that’s what we got to do.”
No. 2 MSU and No. 6 Ole Miss will tip off on Friday, March 28, at 7:09 p.m. in State Farm Arena. CBS will broadcast the game.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
