Michigan State did not give Tom Izzo the birthday night he had expected. The No. 7 Spartans watched their seven-game winning streak slump in front of a sold-out Breslin Center. No. 3 Michigan walked out of East Lansing with an 83-71 rivalry win on Friday, changing the Big Ten race in one night.
It was not just the loss that hit harder. Instead, how did it happen? Michigan State fell behind early, fought back, then faded again. After the game, Izzo gave his honest take. His voice said what the box score already showed.
Tom Izzo Blasts Michigan State After Costly Rivalry Loss
The game turned messy before halftime. Michigan stormed ahead 42-26, forcing Michigan State into rushed shots and careless passes. The Spartans trailed by as many as 18 early in the second half. They briefly grabbed the lead during a late surge, but Michigan answered with clutch plays from Yaxel Lendeborg and Elliot Cadeau.
In the post-game press conference at the Breslin Center, Izzo gave a blunt message.
“To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I did not like the way we played. I give Michigan credit. They played well — I guess,” Izzo said during his post-game news conference.
Tom Izzo on Michigan State’s loss: “To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. I did not like the way we played. I give Michigan credit. They played well — I guess.”
“I was disappointed in the officiating but more disappinted in my team,” he said. pic.twitter.com/NbeH85SHaG
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 31, 2026
He pointed to effort and execution, not talent. Izzo criticized his frontcourt for turnovers and rebounding lapses, including Carson Cooper’s two-rebound night. He also called out the slow response to Michigan’s physical style.
“We’re starting to have too many turnovers by our bigs. I never thought I’d see the day where Coop gets two rebounds in a game,” Izzo said in the same session.
A controversial hook-and-hold call on Cam Ward against Lendeborg sparked a five-point swing late in the first half. Trey McKenney buried a three-pointer moments later. Still, Izzo refused to lean on the officials.
“The officials didn’t cost us this game. The lack of getting rebounds and playing defense at the right time cost us,” he said after the game.
The loss dropped Michigan State to 19-3 and ended its grip on the Big Ten race. It also gave Michigan coach Dusty May his first win over the Spartans since taking the job in 2024.
Now, the journey ahead gets even harder. Showdown against No. 9 Illinois and No. 12 Purdue are next. Izzo knows the margin is gone. His team must respond fast, or this season’s promise could slip away just as quickly as this rivalry night did.
