The most emotional night of the year for Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is quickly approaching. The Spartans host Rutgers for Senior Night on Thursday, and this year's group of seniors have meant a lot to the Michigan State basketball family.
Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have stayed loyal for each of their four seasons in the green and white. Both have had a very impactful senior campaign. From Kohler's 3-point shooting, and double-double production, to Cooper doing the dirty work at both ends of the floor, these guys have meant a lot to this year’s top-10 team.
You can look back to the last home game, as the Spartans survived an onslaught from Ohio State. Cooper could feel the sense of urgency with only two home games left in the regular season — and in his Spartan career — and he put the team on his back and willed the Spartans to a win.
This group of seniors that also includes Nick Sanders, Denham Wojcik, and Trey Fort, will have their work cut out for them as Rutgers might not be that great record wise, but they play hard. The Spartans know all about that as they needed overtime when they met earlier this season in Piscataway.
It's going to be an emotional night, and Izzo, doesn't want his guys losing focus, especially coming off back-to-back road wins at Purdue and Indiana — something the program hadn't done since 2013-14.
Losing on senior night hurts, just ask Draymond Green. Izzo spoke about sending this class out the right way.
"You always want to see your seniors go out the right way," Izzo said during his weekly press conference. "In each and every way, they (all) have done something for us."
It's March, and this team is really starting to find its groove. Thursday will be emotional, for the players, and Izzo, not to mention the fans. This group has meant so much to MSU.
The duo of Kohler and Cooper has been a pleasure to watch the last four years, and as a fellow Jackson County native, I have always been a fan of Carson.
To think he came from nowhere, to being the most important pieces on the roster, is still fascinating.
Expect a lot of emotion in the building on Thursday.