What Tom Izzo is looking for in the Michigan State exhibition final

EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo was at track practice a few weeks ago when a trainer approached him with shocking news.

Virginia coach Tony Bennett retired at age 55 after 15 seasons and a national championship.

Izzo has a longstanding relationship with Bennett and his father, and it was a huge disappointment to see another successful coach in his prime resign amid the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

“I told him I didn't know if I was proud of him or jealous of him,” Izzo recalls.

Although Izzo continues to be outspoken about the problems he sees in the current era, his main focus is elsewhere. He's entering his 30th season leading Michigan State and has a new team to prepare.

“I’ve been on every committee trying to change the world,” Izzo said. “The world is on my heels. Now I’m going to try to put my team in their place and worry about my team.”

The Spartans host Ferris State on Tuesday (7 p.m., BTN+) for their second and final matchup before the games. After a 70-53 win at Northern Michigan on Oct. 13 in Izzo's home game in the Upper Peninsula, this game will be more focused on basketball.

“I’m still more worried about us than our opponent,” Izzo said, “although with all the new guys they have, it’s hard to spot any of those guys.”

Coach Andy Bronkema, now more than a decade in the job, led Ferris State to a Division II national championship in 2018, and the Bulldogs are coming off a 28-8 season that ended in the Elite Eight. They added seven new additions in the offseason with four rookies and three transfers.

“You see a little bit of what they did on offense last year,” Izzo said of the Bulldogs, “but as far as personnel goes, it’s going to be more difficult, and that’s the tough thing about these games early in the season.”

NCAA rules allow teams to conduct two preseason trips with either exhibitions or closed competitions. The chance to compete with another top program away from the spotlight is tempting, but that won't happen for the Spartans this season because of the trip to UP

“If it was a normal year, I like an exhibition game and a scrimmage, but it's just a special year, so we did it the way we did it,” Izzo said. “The exhibition games are good. I think it gives our fans a chance to see us, us a chance to be on the floor and experience someone completely new.”

Izzo wasn't thrilled with the performance in Marquette, but made a long-running tribute to his roots before returning to East Lansing. After the departure of the three top scorers, there is still a lot to do with a new squad.

Senior guard Jaden Akins is expected to take the lead as leading scorer, while Jeremy Fears leads the way at point after his freshman season ended early due to a gunshot wound to the leg. There are two experienced transfer additions in winger Frankie Fidler and center Szymon Zapala, and the revamped squad got off to an early start with three games during a ten-day trip to Spain in August.

“I would say this is the tightest group I’ve had in a long time,” Izzo said.

Michigan State completed a practice last week focused on details, from jump balls to rebounding missed free throws. These will continue to be a priority for the Spartans ahead of their season opener on November 4th against Monmouth.

“We feel like we have to steal possessions, and the more possessions we have, the more shots,” Izzo said. “That's why turnovers are going to be big, offensive rebounds are still going to be big, not giving them extra shots on rebounds or missed free throws is going to be big.”

With nearly everyone on the roster taking on a new role, Izzo juggled a lot of lineups in Spain and Marquette. There is a mix of returnees, a few veteran transfers and outstanding newcomers who are still finding their roles.

“We’re going to play a lot of people,” Izzo said of Tuesday’s matchup against Ferris State. “Hopefully I can achieve a certain level of consistency, for example when it comes to the question of who we start. Maybe it’s not there yet, but it will be soon.”