Tom Izzo was brutally honest about Michigan State’s performance vs. Rutgers

Tom Izzo had his head in his hands for most of Tuesday night’s game against Rutgers.

The Hall of Famer couldn’t believe his eyes. The team that he had led to six straight double-digit wins found itself down 12 late in the second half against a 9-11 Rutgers team that had lost three straight games and had one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten. It was also one of the lowest-rated teams in the Power Four according to KenPom.

Izzo wasn’t thrilled that his team was seemingly looking ahead to the massive rivalry game against Michigan on Friday in East Lansing that would be for first place in the Big Ten.

Every Spartan fan was frustrated that Michigan State seemingly couldn’t get a single stop in the second half until the final few minutes when it climbed back into the game.

For 37 minutes, Rutgers was the better team by a mile — and Izzo was brutally honest about it.

Nothing he said was a lie. This is why the media loves his post-game interviews.

Izzo was right — Rutgers kicked Michigan State’s butt for most of the game. If not for a missed free throw, a huge three by Divine Ugochukwu, and a missed floater at the buzzer by Rutgers, Michigan State would’ve been sent home with one of its most painful losses in years.

Michigan State did what elite teams do

If we’ve learned anything from following Michigan State basketball over the years, it’s that Tom Izzo is always right. Whether it’s about the transfer portal, the wild wild west of unchecked NIL deals, or eligibility for G-Leaguers and other various pros, Izzo is always right.

And he was right again about Michigan State’s performance. Him saying that Rutgers was the better team isn’t a knock on his guys (although it will be used to motivate), but rather praise for Steve Pikiell’s team.

Michigan State was out-toughed, out-hustled, and out-coached for about 37 minutes on Tuesday night, but the Spartans found a way to win.

Even though Rutgers isn’t a good team, there’s always going to be that game where everything works against you, but you have to find a way to grind out a win. Michigan State did that.

That’s what elite teams do.