Tom Izzo was not happy about the loss to Michigan on Sunday, though he will say that he’s proud of the way his team battled. The Spartans just ran out of gas against the No. 3 Wolverines at Crisler Center on Sunday afternoon, falling 90-80 to complete the season sweep by Michigan.
Michigan State will need to find a way to bounce back from this, but you can’t be upset with how the Spartans played for about 30-35 minutes.
Heck, Michigan State had a lead with under 10 minutes left, but Michigan’s post depth just wore Michigan State out. The Wolverines have been wearing just about everyone out in the post this season, and that’s led to the 19-1 Big Ten record and conference championship.
Izzo isn’t worried about the loss, and he didn’t also didn’t love the way Michigan fans were chanting “little brother” at the end of the game.
The legendary head coach gave a fiery opening statement in regards to that chant by saying that he’s no one’s little brother and he’s not taking a backseat to anyone.
Tom Izzo opens press conference: "I guess the crowd didn't watch the game. I'm nobody's damn little brother, and neither is my team." Says Michigan shot about "100 free throws" as a difference. "I ain't taking a backseat to nobody" but adds U-M deserved B1G title with its play.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 8, 2026
Izzo has made it known that he doesn’t like Michigan but he respects the program and how good they’ve been this season. He said that Michigan deserved the Big Ten title by how well they’ve played, but he’s not just going to roll over and be called “little brother” after they were in the game until the very end.
Michigan State had chances to pull away when it had a five-point lead in the second half, but Michigan’s offense and post depth was just too much.
He’s right, though: Michigan State is no one’s little brother.
Unfortunately, Michigan has bragging rights over Tom Izzo, MSU
While there was nothing truly on the line Sunday other than bragging rights, the game was still intense and filled with controversial plays on both ends.
Izzo may not like the “little brother” chant, and he’s right to be offended based on the program he’s built and the fact that he has a 36-18 all-time record against the Wolverines. He’s not Michigan’s little brother, but he has to take the trash talk when the Wolverines do get the better of him every now and then. He hasn’t been swept by Michigan since 2014, so he has a gripe here.
Michigan is going to talk that trash, and they unfortunately have every right to after this regular-season sweep.