Tom Izzo, the legendary Michigan State coach, just came out and said his team’s practices are “ugly.” Yeah, you read that right. But for Izzo, in his 32nd season at the helm, that’s not a complaint, it’s a badge of honor, hinting at a level of internal competition that could propel the Spartans far this season, maybe even all the way to Ford Field for the Final Four in April.
Izzo’s “Noah’s Ark” Roster Is Built to Bruise
It’s October 7th, and the Spartans have already thrown down in an exhibition against Incarnate Word, but Izzo sees an upcoming intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, October 9th as an even tougher test. That’s how deep this squad is. Izzo said himself he’s loving these early days because “we’ve got good players. And we’ve got good backups, and so competition is better.” This isn’t just talk, either. Former Lansing Sexton coach Doug Herner, who’s been MSU’s assistant video coordinator for 18 seasons, apparently called the practices “ugly.” Izzo totally agreed, saying “The second team can guard the first team and the first team can guard the second team.” He thinks that internal war, fueled by guys fighting for slim minutes, makes the practices “uglier at times, but I think better in the long run.” This roster is truly a “Noah’s Ark” situation, two of everything, and on paper, their backups could absolutely humble some Big Ten starting fives. The goal now is to make sure that paper potential translates to the hardwood.
New Blood Getting the Full Izzo Treatment
Anyone who knows Izzo knows he doesn’t do “kid gloves.” Not even at 71 years old, heading into his 32nd season. That fire still burns bright, flaring up when a player misses a cut-out, runs a play wrong, or flubs a pass. These are the kinds of mistakes that, as Izzo put it, “doomed 30 of his seasons with a loss.” So, for the fresh faces on the team, like transfer Anton Bonke and freshmen Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent, and Ethan Taylor, every single detail right now matters. They’re hearing it from multiple coaches, and as Izzo sees it, they’re probably “going home and questioning themselves.” He knows Bonke is feeling the heat, acknowledging, “I really think we’re pushing some of those guys and some of the things that happen, you know, there’s a mission to my madness.” That mission is big.
The Road to Ford Field Starts with Bruises
All this intense, “ugly” practice, all this high-stakes competition, it’s all aimed at one thing: cutting down the nets at Ford Field in April for the Final Four. Izzo believes this roster, packed with talent and depth, gives them “the best shot in quite some time” at achieving that. But it’s not going to be easy, and it certainly won’t be pretty these next few weeks. These crucial weeks of practices and upcoming exhibitions, against Connecticut on October 20th and then on the road at Marquette on October 25th, are what will truly shape the team’s direction for the entire season. The hype around this squad is real, but as Izzo pointed out, “Everything changes when some guys aren’t playing as much as some guys are. Everything changes when you lose a couple games.” There are 33 games plus a postseason to go before they can live up to any grand visions.
So yeah, there’s a ton of work ahead. But with the Spartans squaring off against themselves in that intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, October 9th, and Izzo saying he loves the “direction we’re headed,” the foundation for a deep run is being laid right now, one ugly, competitive practice at a time. Get ready, college hoops.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply