Michigan State's Tom Izzo Downplays Retirement Talk: 'I Am Rejuvenated'
Sep 22, 2022
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Tom Izzo isn't going to overstay his welcome at Michigan State, but he has no plans on retiring anytime soon.
The 67-year-old sat down for an interview on the Draymond Green Show and told the former Spartans forward he's "rejuvenated" heading into the 2022-23 season.
"I know one thing I'm not gonna do: I've watched some guys stay or year or two too long," Izzo said (20:51 mark). "I'm not into anything but the day that I feel I don't want to take redeyes, I don't want to go out recruiting, I don't want to have meetings in my office like some of the ones we had, I'm gone. And, if I'm not, I know you [Green] will tell me. ... I got some guys that will tell me, 'It's time.'
"But you are right: I am rejuvenated. Right now, the campus, it's electric right now. Mel [Tucker] has done an excellent job. We've put $70 million into football. We just put a bunch into hockey. We got cranes in the sky again. We got students walking. Two years of COVID. Two-and-a-half years, we had nobody walking around. ... I'm energized by that."
Izzo has been at Michigan State since 1995-96, delivering eight Final Four appearances and the 2000 national championship. Speculation about Izzo's future has spiked in recent season as Michigan State failed to perform to its typical standard, but the Naismith Hall of Famer quelled all rumors in August by agreeing to a five-year extension.
Michigan State will understandably allow Izzo to set his own timeline for retirement, and his new contract even calls for a post-retirement job with the university.
The retirements of Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski in recent years has only served to increase the spotlight on Izzo and Jim Boeheim, the sport's last two remaining pillars of their generation of coaches. Izzo is five years younger than Williams, eight years Krzyzewski's junior and a full decade younger than Boeheim, which likely means we'll see him for at least the next half-decade.
Draymond Green, Hazel Renee Get Married; Stephen Curry, LeBron James, More Attend
Aug 15, 2022
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: (L-R) Draymond Green and Hazel Renee attend the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and actress Hazel Renee were married over the weekend.
As one would expect, it was a star-studded affair.
The couple may have had to tone down their original plans. Renee joked on the red carpet at the ESPY awards in July that the NBA fines Green had recently had to pay depleted their wedding funds.
"There's the wedding budget right there," she said, per People's Nicholas Rice and Natasha Dye. "If anyone wants to know where's the wedding budget, it's right there in text."
Renee told Victoria Uwumarogie of Essence she and Green first met while attending Michigan State but didn't have their first date until years later after they had both left the school.
"We went to a rooftop pool and hung out at the cabana all day, which is still one of our favorite things to do together," she said. "We hadn’t seen each other in a very long time, so we hung out all day, talked and caught up. It was really casual but also reflective of our relationship. We really are best friends."
Tom Izzo, Michigan State Agree to Contract Extension: 'Spartan for Life'
Aug 11, 2022
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans walks off the court after losing to the Duke Blue Devils 85-76 during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Legendary Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo isn't stepping away from the bench anytime soon.
The school announced on Thursday that the Hall of Famer has agreed to a new contract extension that will solidify him as a "Spartan for Life."
"Michigan State has been a home to me and my family for 40 years and I’m ecstatic to sign this contract." pic.twitter.com/PrQF0oOvpq
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) August 11, 2022
According to the university's press release, Izzo received a five-year rollover contract that includes "non-performance related compensation of $5.92 million per year, including a $2.43 million base (up from an initial $430K base on his 2018 contract), $3.09 million in supplemental compensation and $400K from footwear and apparel provider Nike." When adding in additional benefits such as airplane use, the total compensation amounts to $6.2 million per year.
"Twelve years ago, Tom Izzo said he would be a Spartan for Life, and today's announcement further demonstrates and renews this commitment," Michigan State Director of Athletics Alan Haller said. "We have worked collaboratively to come up with a contract which benefits the University, Coach Izzo and his family."
A 2016 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Izzo will be entering his 28th season has head coach of the Spartans in 2022-23. The 67-year-old has coached Michigan State to 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, a Big Ten record.
Izzo has been named National Coach of the Year eight times. Under his leadership, the Spartans have achieved 10 regular-season Big Ten Championships, six Big Ten Tournament titles, eight Final Four appearances and the 2000 NCAA National Championship. His career record of 666-267 gives him the highest win total of any coach in conference history.
With Izzo remaining in the fold for the next five years, the future appears to be bright in East Lansing. Per 247Sports, Michigan State's 2023 recruiting class is ranked third in the nation.
Lawrence Dority Pleads Not Guilty in Shooting Death of Former MSU Star Adreian Payne
May 10, 2022
VILLEURBANNE, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 04: Adreian Payne, #33 of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne during the 2019/2020 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 23 match between LDLC Asvel Villeurbane and FC Bayern Munich at The Astroballe on February 04, 2020 in Villeurbanne, France. (Photo by Romain Biard/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
Lawrence Dority pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a charge of first-degree murder with a firearm in the shooting death of Adreian Payne, per Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press.
Dority, 29, is accused of killing Payne early Monday morning after the former Michigan State forward and his girlfriend attempted to assist a woman they knew who was allegedly in an abusive relationship with Dority, per Solari.
According to the police report, Dority told police he felt threatened by Payne, who he said was "making movements with his right hand in the right side of his waistband" and making verbal threats at Dority.
The report also said Dority, who is 5'8" and 150 pounds, felt threatened by the 6'10" Payne because of his size. Dority said he went into his home after the verbal altercation with Payne and retrieved his gun before coming outside and firing one shot at Payne as a means of protection.
"This man tried coming to my house, he cut around my block, and he tried shooting me. … He act like he got a gun, and I shot him," Dority said.
Florida is a "stand-your-ground" state, meaning a person does have the right to use lethal force if they perceive a threat to their safety.
However, a witness contradicted Dority's account of the events, saying Payne never threatened him. Police also found that Payne was unarmed and wrote in the affidavit that they believe Payne "did not pose an immediate threat to Dority."
Payne starred at Michigan State from 2010 to 2014 before being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft. He would play for the Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic during his NBA career before finding success playing professional basketball overseas.
Adreian Payne Dies at 31 in Shooting; Michigan State Star Drafted by Hawks in 2014
May 9, 2022
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne (33) drives with the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in New Orleans. The Timberwolves won 112-110. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Former Michigan State, Atlanta Hawks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic player Adreian Payne died in a Florida shooting on Monday morning, the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Kyle Austin of MLive.com.
Payne was 31.
Orange County officers arrested 29-year-old Lawrence Dority at the scene of the shooting on suspicion of first-degree murder. Payne was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Payne spent four seasons at Michigan State, averaging 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and a block per game. He was excellent in his senior season, posting 16.4 points and 7.3 boards. The Spartans reached the Elite Eight that year. He was an All-Big Ten selection as both a junior and senior.
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) May 9, 2022
#RIP Adreian Payne. A truly great Michigan State Spartan on the court, but I'll remember him for this more than anything. https://t.co/M1Tc2TMCls
— Brandon Champion: Low Ego, High Output (@BrandonthaChamp) May 9, 2022
So sad to hear that former Michigan State star Adreian Payne passed away at the age of 31. AP was an outstanding player for Tom Izzo, and befriended Lacey Holsworth through her battle with cancer. RIP Adreian Payne. pic.twitter.com/YLXVGwINCV
Been to a lot of big events at MSU. Never seen a more emotional moment than Adrien Payne’s silent dunk in honor of Lacey Holsworth. Wasn’t a dry eye in the arena.
Payne, 31, has died. He was always understated, but a very good man. A gut wrenching loss. pic.twitter.com/vVEaLaONv6
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) May 9, 2022
The Hawks made Payne the No. 15 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, though he appeared in just three games for the team before he was traded to the Timberwolves for a future first-round pick.
He remained with the Timberwolves through the 2016-17 season, though the team didn't pick up the fourth-year option on his rookie deal. He then spent five games with the Orlando Magic in the 2017-18 season but was released after an ESPN report detailed former Michigan State student Carolyn Schaner's rape accusations against Payne and MSU teammate Keith Appling in 2010.
No charges were filed in the case.
Following his NBA career, Payne played overseas in Greece, China, France and Turkey.
🕊️We are devastated to hear the sad news of Adreian Payne passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Rest In Peace 🙏🏿 #OlympiacosBCpic.twitter.com/hiVYWbsFPZ
He last played for Juventus Utena in Lithuania this past season.
Tyson Walker Hits Game-Winning 3 to Cap MSU's Upset of No. 4 Purdue
Feb 26, 2022
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball under pressure from Isaiah Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of the game at Breslin Center on February 26, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Tyson Walker drilled a three-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining as the unranked Michigan State men's basketball team upset No. 4 Purdue 68-65 at East Lansing's Breslin Center on Saturday afternoon.
Purdue tied the game at 65 with 30 seconds left when big man Trevion Williams followed his own miss with a putback.
After a Spartans timeout, Williams was left to guard Walker behind the three-point line. The junior guard then drained a long-range shot for the upset.
Purdue still had a chance for a miracle finish, but a long inbounds pass caromed out of bounds.
There were still four-tenths of a second remaining, though, with some drama to resolve.
Malik Hall's inbounds pass sailed over Walker's head, and as he tried to save it, Walker was called out of bounds. After a lengthy review, the call stood, and Purdue had another chance.
However, Hall deflected the inbounds pass, and the clock hit zero.
Michigan State benefitted from a balanced scoring attack led by Gabe Brown's 13 points. Julius Marble II (12 points), Max Christie (11) and A.J. Hoggard (11) also scored in double figures, while Hoggard pitched in six assists. Walker had eight points off the bench.
Purdue sophomore center Zach Edey scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, and Jaden Ivey added 16 points. Williams had 11 off the bench. The Boilermakers shot 52.1 percent from the field but made just one of nine three-point attempts.
Purdue out-rebounded Michigan State 34-24 but committed 17 turnovers to the Spartans' 10.
MSU led by as many as 11 points after Marble's Iayup with 10:43 left. Purdue chipped away at the lead, though, with some great defense and eight points from Edey.
Ivey went to the free throw line with 52 seconds remaining and a chance to put the Boilermakers up 64-63. He made the first and missed the second, but Edey committed a loose ball foul on the rebound to send Marble to the line for a one-and-one. He hit both free throws for a 65-63 advantage, leading to the game's final moments.
Purdue fell to 24-5 overall and 13-5 in the Big Ten. Michigan State is 19-9 and 10-7.
The Boilermakers will close the regular season at Wisconsin and at home versus Indiana. MSU has road tilts with Michigan and Ohio State before it hosts Maryland.
MSU's Tom Izzo Against Eliminating Handshake Line After Juwan Howard Altercation
Feb 22, 2022
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo gives instructions during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. Illinois won 79-74. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is strongly against the idea of eliminating the postgame handshake line in the wake of Sunday's incident between Michigan's Juwan Howard and Wisconsin coaches Greg Gard and Joe Krabbenhoft.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Izzo called the possibility of not having the handshake line "the biggest farce, joke, ridiculous nature of anything I've ever heard of."
The Big Ten Conference announced on Monday that Howard has been fined $40,000 and suspended for the rest of the regular season for shoving Krabbenhoft in the face after the Wolverines' 77-63 loss to Wisconsin.
Juwan Howard strikes Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft after Michigan-Wisconsin game https://t.co/fbv0WKzbT6
Izzo attempted to equate the postgame handshake line with teaching players lessons about sportsmanship and values.
"We've already taught these poor 18-year-olds that when you're told to go to class and you don't like it, you can leave. We've already told these kids that if you're not happy, you can do something else. We've already told these kids that it's hard to hold them accountable," he said.
Howard put his finger in the face of Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard, who appeared to stop Howard from walking past him in the line by grabbing his arm, and grabbed at his shirt before Krabbenhoft intervened.
During his postgame press conference, Howard explained he took exception to Gard calling a timeout with 15 seconds remaining in the game when the Badgers were up 76-61.
"I didn’t like the timeout being called, to be totally honest," said Howard. "I thought it was not necessary at that moment, especially being a large lead."
In the aftermath of the skirmish, there were conflicting discussions from members of the media about doing away with the postgame handshake line.
And I don't want to hear people say "this is why we should get rid of handshake lines." If you can't handle a handshake line, you shouldn't be in college athletics.
The time has come to eliminate the line after games of shaking hands . Too many incidents taking places with the action in the @BadgerMBB vs @umichbball being SICKENING . Punches thrown behavior was out of control & UGLY ! The @B1GMBBall Commish must act on what happened .
There were multiple opportunities for Juwan Howard to apologize or admit he erred during his postgame press conference. He instead doubled down, calling Greg Gard's timeout "not necessary" and insisting that Gard touching him in the handshake line was what "escalated it."
Howard has had issues with opposing coaches before. He was ejected in the second half of a 2019 Big Ten tournament game against Maryland for getting into a verbal altercation with Mark Turgeon.
A member of Michigan's famed 1991-92 Fab Five team, Howard was named head basketball coach at his alma mater in May 2019. He led the Wolverines to a regular-season Big Ten title and an appearance in the Elite Eight in the 2020-21 season.
Michigan (14-11, 8-7 in the Big Ten) has five games remaining in the regular season. The Big Ten tournament will begin March 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Wolverines and Spartans are scheduled to play at the Breslin Center on March 1. Michigan State beat Michigan 83-67 in Ann Arbor on Jan. 29.
No. 6 Baylor Uses Strong 2nd Half to Beat Michigan St., Win Battle 4 Atlantis Title
Nov 26, 2021
In this photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services, Baylor guard James Akinjo (11) and Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) battle for the ball during an NCAA college basketball game at Paradise Island, Bahamas, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)
No. 6 Baylor pulled away from Michigan
State in the second half to capture the 2021 Battle 4 Atlantis men's
championship with a 75-58 win at Imperial Arena in the Bahamas.
The Bears carried a slim two-point
advantage into halftime following a back-and-forth opening 20
minutes that saw neither team lead by more than six. They used an 8-0
run early in the second half to increase their lead to 13 and then
cruised to the finish line to remain undefeated (7-0).
It's the second Battle 4 Atlantis title
for Baylor, which won the event in 2016. The Spartans
dropped to 5-2, with the other loss coming against then-No. 3 Kansas
in their season opener.
Notable Stats
G James Akinjo (BAY): 15 points, 5 assists, 3 steals
G Adam Flagler (BAY): 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
G Matthew Mayer (BAY): 8 points, 7 rebounds
F Gabe Brown (MSU): 13 points, 5 rebounds
G Jaden Akins (MSU): 12 points
Baylor Bench Continues to Provide Major
Boost
Baylor has one of the deepest rosters
in the nation, and that was on full display throughout its run to the
Battle 4 Atlantis championship.
LJ Cryer, the Bears' leading scorer,
tallied 15 points off the bench in Wednesday's win over Arizona State, and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua recorded 13 points and eight rebounds
in Thursday's triumph over VCU in the semifinals.
Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Cryer and Jeremy
Sochan all played pivotal roles in Friday's victory. The reserve
trio combined for more than a third of BU's scoring (26 of 75 points)
while knocking down 10 of their 18 shots (55.6
percent).
Having an offensive game-changer like
Cryer as a sixth man is one thing, but featuring three different
players who can provide high-end contributions off the bench gives
the Bears depth that will be hard for opponents to match
all season long.
In addition, the size of Tchamwa
Tchatchoua (6'8", 245 pounds) and Sochan (6'9", 230) gives head
coach Scott Drew the ability to mix and match his lineups. It helps
alleviate concerns that teams with multiple talented bigs can give Baylor trouble.
While it's early in the campaign,
the depth is a major reason Baylor is in position to defend its March Madness title.
MSU's Stock on the Rise Despite Loss
Michigan State didn't generate much attention coming into the season. It was ranked outside the Top 25
and couldn't keep pace with the Jayhawks in a 13-point loss in
the opener.
The Spartans have played well
since that loss, though. They won their next three games by an
average of 29.7 points and then scored hard-fought victories over
Loyola of Chicago and No. 22 UConn to punch their ticket to the Battle 4
Atlantis final.
They went shot-for-shot with Baylor in
the first half and appeared to have a chance for the upset before the
Bears caught fire early in the second half. They still made a strong showing in the Bahamas.
Brown, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Malik
Hall represent a matchup advantage over most teams on
the interior. How far the Spartans go this season will depend
on how much shooting they generate around those post players.
MSU entered the day shooting 32.7
percent from beyond the arc, and it made only four of 15
three-point attempts against the Bears. A few more makes and it's a
competitive game down to the wire.
Michigan State has work to
do if it wants to contend with the nation's elite by season's end,
but it looks like a Top 20 team with upside.
What's Next?
Michigan State returns home to the Breslin Center to host Louisville on Wednesday as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Baylor is off until Dec. 4 when it welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff to the Ferrell Center.
No. 3 Kansas Downs MSU Behind Ochai Agbaji's 29 Points at Champions Classic
Nov 10, 2021
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 09: Ochai Agbaji #30 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks the ball against Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans during the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
No. 3 Kansas kicked off its 2021-22 season with an 87-74 win over Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday.
Ochai Agbaji led the way for the Jayhawks with a career-high 29 points in the neutral-court game at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The game was close in the early going until a late Kansas spurt gave the team a 39-32 lead at halftime. The Big 12 squad took control of the game in the second half while finding a lot of success on fast breaks.
Michigan State was within three points with about 16 minutes remaining in the second half, but the margin quickly ballooned to 15 thanks to a 21-9 run.
The Spartans couldn't keep up despite four players reaching double digits, led by 17 points from A.J. Hoggard.
Kansas has won five of the last six years in the Champions Classic.
Really impressed with Ochai Agbaji and the improvement in his ability to put the ball on the floor. Has made a couple of big-time plays tonight exploding to the basket.
The efficiency was especially impressive as the guard finished 9-of-17 on the floor and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Agbaji withdrew from the NBA draft last July, and it looks like he has made the right decision through the first game.
Of course, this is a deep roster with a lot of experience entering the year.
David McCormack, Mitch Lightfoot, Remy Martin, Jalen Coleman-Lands and Agbaji are all seniors in the rotation and will be relied upon heavily this season.
McCormack showcased his skill set on the defensive end with two blocks:
This Kansas team showing its depth without Jalen Wilson. Bill Self not afraid to go with his freshmen tonight, and Zach Clemence and Bobby Pettiford giving KU quality minutes.
Hoggard averaged just 2.5 points per game last year but looks like an impact player to start 2021-22.
Max Christie could be another weapon in the backcourt as a 5-star recruit with high expectations. He showcased some upside Tuesday on his way to nine points.
The team also got limited production from Tyson Walker (two points), who transferred in after averaging 18.8 points per game at Northeastern last year.
There is enough talent to improve as the season progresses, but the level of play was nowhere near good enough to match up with the No. 3 team in the country.
What's Next?
Both teams will now prepare for their home opener Friday. Michigan State will host Western Michigan, while Kansas will take on Tarleton.
