Tom Izzo took a lot of heat, for some reason, following Michigan State’s loss to Michigan.
On his birthday, his team was unable to hang on to another come-from-behind lead, falling at home by 12. Michigan fans were critical of his star player, Jeremy Fears, and then they jumped on Izzo, criticizing him for a quick handshake with Dusty May as the final buzzer sounded.
Admittedly, it was a quick handshake. Izzo kind of brushed by Dusty with a handshake and no words which, for him, isn’t very common. Other coaches do this all the time, but Izzo is usually a guy who stops, has a few words with the opposing coach, and takes his time with the opposing players.
Not this time, however.
And now Izzo is being called a “sore loser” because he didn’t give everyone a hug and words of encouragement that they were expecting for whatever reason — and that’s incorrect.
Izzo addressed the quick post-game handshake during his Monday press conference, and his answer was actually so much better than I expected.
Tom Izzo spoke about the postgame handshake with Dusty May.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) February 2, 2026
“Some guys I talk to. I have no interest in talking to my rival. Some guys I don’t,” he said.
“It was not a... it was a handshake. I walked by, it was a handshake. It was probably no different than the one last year if… pic.twitter.com/XCU26ItgLJ
Incredible.
Tom Izzo’s response was better than expected
”I have no interest in talking to my rival.”
What an incredible answer to that question. He went on to question why no one had asked Dusty about his timeout with 30 seconds left and up by 14 — which was a great question, by the way. He was told that Dusty called that timeout to make sure his players didn’t do anything after the game, and Izzo kind of smiled and said that it was a good reason.
That timeout with 30 seconds left was interesting, especially since the game was in hand and the Spartans were lifeless after snagging a lead and then falling behind by 14 within a span of seven minutes.
Michigan State fans have to love this fire from Izzo lately in the rivalry, and I can bet that the March rematch is already on his mind. He wants to beat this team and the hate is obvious.
Sure, Izzo will play it off like the handshake was a regular one that didn’t need to be turned into a controversy, but he really doesn’t mess with May and Michigan.