Michigan State coach Tom Izzo did not have the happiest of birthdays when the No. 7 Spartans succumbed to an 83-71 defeat to the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines at the Breslin Center on Friday evening. The loss snapped the Spartans’ seven-game winning streak and dropped them to 19-3.
The win on Friday was Michigan coach Dusty May’s first win against Michigan State since he was appointed in 2024.
Tom Izzo Blasts MSU After Rivalry Game Loss
The Spartans dug themselves into a hole, trailing 42-26 at halftime and by as much as 18 points at the start of the second half. Izzo’s team mounted a stirring comeback at an electric Breslin Center, even taking the lead, before relinquishing it once again and letting their rivals close out a pivotal game.
During his postgame news conference, Izzo detailed his disappointment at his team’s overall performance.
“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I did not like the way we played,” Izzo said. “I give Michigan credit, they played well, I guess. We’re starting to have too many turnovers by our bigs. I never thought I’d see the day when Coop gets two rebounds in a game, none in the first half. I’m sure they had something to do with that.
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“Just did not think we played well enough. I thought there was some bizarre calls. I thought they made plays, especially Yaxel (Lendeborg) made a couple big plays late that were critical. (Elliot) Cadeau made a couple plays. It’s a shame, Jeremy played probably as well as he could play in a lot of ways, he just didn’t get enough help from enough people.”
The Spartans’ slate does not get any easier, with clashes against the No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini and the No. 12 Purdue Boilermakers still to come.
Izzo Refuses To Blame Officials for Spartans’ Loss
The Spartans trailed 29-21 with three minutes left in the first half, before a controversial call by the officials changed the trajectory of the game. Cam Ward committed a classic hook-and-hold flagrant foul on Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg. Despite the call initially going against the forward, he was awarded two free throws after a review.
What followed was a five-point swing, and the Wolverines moved even further ahead with a three-pointer by Trey McKenney. During his postgame news conference, Izzo refused to blame the officials for losing the game.
“The officials didn’t cost us this game,” Izzo said. “The lack of getting rebounds and playing defense at the right time cost us the game.
“To dig a hole like we did, and the hook and hold thing. I did see it, so I have no idea. We’re right down, and we’re going down to shoot two free throws, and that changed the game. I was disappointed in the officiating, but more disappointed in my team.”
The Spartans’ quest for a second consecutive Big Ten championship lay in ruins after their latest defeat, with the Wolverines snatching the baton from them on home court and winning their first game in East Lansing since 2018.
