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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Ohio State win in Big Ten tourney

By Connor Muldowney

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 15: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans meets with Aaron Henry #11 in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 15: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans meets with Aaron Henry #11 in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. You have to love Tom Izzo

When Michigan State built a 22-point lead with under five minutes to go, it seemed like the Spartans had it in the bag and all he wanted to do was get his young guys some reps.

Then Ohio State made a run. Actually, the Buckeyes went on a 17-0 run to cut the Spartans’ lead to five points with under 20 seconds left and Tom Izzo had no choice but to sub Cassius Winston back in the game to make sure he could get some easy free throws and inbound the ball effectively.

But he gave his young guys a chance, even when the run got to 10-12 straight points for the Buckeyes. He never stopped coaching and that was truly a learning moment for his team.

Don’t think that he couldn’t have stopped the Ohio State run if he wanted to — all he had to do was sub the starters back in — but he wanted his young guys, as well as vets, to learn that these late-game situations are going to rise in the NCAA Tournament.

Sure, it would have been nice to close out with a 20-point win, but the young guys have to learn how to weather the storm.

Next. 5 bold predictions for 2019 Big Ten Tournament. dark

Win No. 600 didn’t come without a late headache, but you have to love Izzo for never skipping a teaching moment with his team.

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