Tom Izzo is back in full force, leading Michigan State to their first Big Ten title since the 2019-20 season. On Thursday night, the Spartans pulled off a dramatic road victory over Iowa, something that’s been tough for them in recent years. Even better, the Spartans secured the title outright, with no need to share it with another team.
After the game, Izzo reflected on the win, the championship, and Iowa’s struggles under increasing fan pressure.
Here’s a summary of his comments:
On the win
“That was a tough game. They outplayed us for most of it. I remember coming here a few years ago with a team missing three centers, and we were just average. But Iowa really competed today. I have a lot of respect for Sandfort and McCaffery—they’ve done great work. In the first half, we didn’t show up. We tried to change our style and it didn’t work, shooting too many threes without defending. But I give credit to my team for digging deep, especially on the road when it didn’t seem like it was our night. Iowa’s offense is the toughest we’ve faced this year.”
On halftime deficits in recent games
“It’s frustrating, and I’m not proud of that. We know these games are battles, but we didn’t play the way we should have. We have flaws—if we don’t play strong defense or get rebounds, we struggle. Jase kept us in the game, and some guys really stepped up. I’m thrilled we won the Big Ten, but I won’t sugarcoat things—there’s a lot we need to improve on.”
On Coen Carr’s impact
“Coen’s really changed the energy for us. He’s doing the little things that make a big difference—blocking shots, running the floor, getting offensive rebounds. As his shot continues to improve, he’s going to be a great player.”
On winning the outright Big Ten title
“Every championship team has its rough patches, but our consistency has been amazing, thanks to my staff and players. Tonight’s game was a wake-up call—if you stray from your identity, things can fall apart. Winning the title outright is huge, but now we need to see if we can handle success and finish strong.”
Izzo’s message is clear: while the victory is a major achievement, there’s still work to be done for Michigan State to reach their full potential.
On Iowa and their fans who may be growing impatient
“I’ve been through a time when people wanted me out. Iowa doesn’t have the same resources as others, and Fran has done a great job with what he has. People need to be careful what they wish for—Fran is one of my favorite coaches. He’s smart, tough, and a key part of this conference. He’s got plenty left in the tank, and tonight showed that. To the fans, not everyone feels that way, and I know the coaching community respects him.”
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