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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is catching flak for his postgame comments following a loss to Kansas State. The legendary coach was heard dismissing some of the Wildcats’ notable plays from the overtime defeat.
College basketball fans are now reacting to the remarks online as they post their responses to social media.
The Spartans found themselves in an absolute dog fight with Kansas State in their Sweet Sixteen matchup. The two sides went back and forth for 45 minutes of play.
After falling behind at the halftime break, Michigan State was able to battle back to even the score in the second half. The teams would stay neck and neck from then on out, with neither team leading by more than seven over the final 20 minutes of action.
Every time the Wildcats seemed a shot away from putting the game away, Sparty made a run. The result was an overtime slugfest that ended in a five-point win for KSU.
Kansas State point guard Markquis Nowell was easily the best player on the floor, tallying 20 points while racking up an insane 19 assists. To make that performance even more impressive, the “little kid” as Coach John Calipari called him, was playing at less than 100% for much of the second half.
Nowell rolled his ankle on a layup attempt and was forced to leave the game for a short period of time. With the Kansas State leader on the bench, the Spartans went on a 11-2 run.
Unfortunately for Tom Izzo’s bunch, Nowell returned, and he put on quite a show. Over the final 13 minutes of regulation plus overtime, he racked up 13 points and three steals, including one on the Spartans’ final possession that sealed the game. Not to mention he had some ridiculous assists.
ALLEY OOP FROM THE LOGO @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/J1zd16u1pM
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 24, 2023
When the dust settled, Michigan State’s season came to an end. Tom Izzo was asked about the loss after the game. Here’s what he said.
“Give [Kansas State] credit. They banked in two shot-clock threes. They made some big plays, but some of those plays weren’t big plays. They were lucky plays. I didn’t think we played out best. I think some of it was them and some was us.”
He’s now getting ripped for those comments on social media.
Known Michigan State hater Dave Portnoy sarcastically said, “Mr. March classy in defeat as always. Let’s not forget MSU got back into the game when Nowell got hurt.”
Others shared the same sentiment.
One fan wrote, “Stay classy Tom, why don’t you give credit to a team that beat you.” Another replied, “Tom Izzo is the king of excuses.”
It was definitely a tough loss for the Spartans, but you can’t take anything away from Kansas State. They’ll now gear up for the Elite Eight where they’ll await the winner of Tennessee and Florida Atlantic.