Sparty was tough. Sparty was poised. Sparty was physical. And Sparty never backed down in Tuesday's win, even in front of a pro-Kentucky crowd, writes CBB_Central
While most college coaches spent the months of April and May restocking their rosters with transfers, Izzo largely stood pat. After previous bellyaching about the portal’s impact on the game, the Spartans didn’t take a transfer in the spring. In fact, the team’s lone roster move once the season ended was the addition of late-stock-rising freshman Carson Cooper, the clear 10th man in a 10-man Spartan rotation.
Yet through three games and two high-profile tests, Izzo’s bet on his young team growing up has paid off. And after coming up just short Friday against No. 2 Gonzaga, Michigan State got its signature win, rallying time after time in a wild double-overtime win over No. 4 Kentucky at the Champions Classic in Indianapolis.Darron Cummings/AP
“That’s what my frickin’ program stands for, and that’s what it’s going to stand for … Loyalty is a two-way street,” Izzo said. “Some of the culture that I lost during COVID and some of the things that went on at our place, I vowed we were going to get that back, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
The Spartan coach also didn’t hunt for a veteran wing, instead sticking with veteran returners Malik Hall and Joey Hauser. Hauser kept MSU in it in regulation with big shot after big shot after regressing last season offensively and struggling mightily against Gonzaga. In total, Hauser finished with 23 points and 8 rebounds on 8–for–16 shooting in what may have been his signature performance as a Spartan.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Five-Star Guard D.J. Wagner Commits to KentuckyFive-star basketball recruit D.J. Wagner announced his commitment to Kentucky on Monday afternoon
Read more »
Kentucky school bus crash: 18 students, driver to hospitalsAuthorities say a school bus crashed over an embankment and landed on its side in rural Kentucky, sending the driver and 18 children to hospitals with injuries
Read more »
21 Kentucky school students hospitalized after 'serious' bus accident, officials say | CNNA bus driver and 21 students were hospitalized, some with critical injuries, after a Kentucky school bus accident Monday, officials said.
Read more »
18 students, driver injured in Kentucky school bus crash, officials say | CNNAll 18 students and a driver have 'varying degrees of injuries' after their bus crashed in eastern Kentucky early Monday, a school official said.
Read more »
Camden basketball star DJ Wagner picks KentuckyWagner, a 6-foot-2 guard, is the nation’s No. 1 recruit, according to ESPN.
Read more »
Dick Vitale Makes Broadcast Return In Kentucky—Michigan State GameThe iconic broadcaster returned to the sideline to call the first game of the 2022 Champions Classic.
Read more »