Tom Izzo challenges starters ahead of Michigan game

Tom Izzo knows the importance of this Michigan rivalry game and he challenged his veteran starters to play better.

Michigan State is gearing up to take on the Michigan Wolverines at home on Tuesday night. In a press conference leading up to the game, Tom Izzo discussed many things about his team and the matchup with the Wolverines.

MSU coach Tom Izzo says he's "looking for my starters to play a little better." Thinks Kohler can bring some offense but isn't moving as well as he can yet in return from injury, likes the progress Booker has made but still has things to work on.

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 29, 2024

One thing Izzo didn’t hold back on is criticism for his team. It’s no secret that everyone on the team has to start playing better, but he specifically challenged one group in particular.

Tom Izzo challenges the starters

When discussing the season in general, Tom Izzo says he’s “looking for my starters to play a little better.”

This obviously is Izzo talking directly to his upperclassmen, the leaders of his team. Michigan State has one of the oldest starting units in college basketball. It features two fifth year seniors, two seniors and a junior. With all that experience, Izzo needs this group to play much better if the team is going to improve.

I think there’s a lot of truth to this statement from Izzo. Can you really rely on your freshman, or underclassmen in general, to lead your team through the Big Ten season? I don’t think so. MSU has to rely on their starters simply because they’ve been through the gauntlet of a Big Ten schedule many times.

Where can this group improve?

The thing this group can improve on the most is their consistency. When this group is at their best they can beat anyone in the country, but on their off nights, almost anyone can beat them. Each individual player is capable of having great games, and they’ve done so this year already. Tyson Walker has been the leading scorer all season, but he’s been in a little bit of a slump recently. AJ Hoggard had a great game against Wisconsin, but he struggled for a few games before that. Malik Hall has probably been the most consistent starter recently, but he, too, has been inconsistent (see the Northwestern game).

If Michigan State is going to improve its season, it starts with this group. The starters have to play much better, and that starts on Tuesday against Michigan. The Wolverines are nowhere near as good as MSU, so this group needs to flex its muscles and dominate from the jump. There’s still plenty of season left, and with a favorable upcoming schedule I have full faith that this group, and the team as a whole, will start playing much better.