For the second straight season, Toledo walked into the Breslin Center and left with a lopsided loss to Michigan State. And for the second straight season, coach Tod Kowalczyk spent plenty of time afterward talking about something bigger than the final score: how hard it is for a strong mid-major program to even get a game like this on the schedule.
Kowalczyk was generous in defeat, calling the matchup a valuable chance for his team and crediting Tom Izzo for making it happen. He pointed out that games against Big Ten opponents are not easy to land, especially for programs like Toledo.
“First of all, just very, very thankful for the opportunity... These are games that, when you’re a really good mid-major program, are really hard to get.
People won’t play us. And it takes a very secure head coach to play [us]… You look at other Big Ten teams.
They’re not playing the Oaklands and the Toledos of the world. Tom did me a favor taking this game… When Tom says, ‘Hey, yeah, we’ll play you on Thursday, November 5th,’ I can’t say, ‘Well, what about another day?’
You take what you can get.”
On the floor, Kowalczyk said Toledo was better than it had been in last year’s trip. He said his team competed, but also made clear Michigan State’s defense and talent level were a major problem.
“I thought tonight, unlike last year, we competed. I really do...
Give them credit. That’s a really good defensive team.
They’re sixth in the country for a reason, and they have one of the best, if not the best, players in the country.”
Kowalczyk also used the night to make a broader point about roster building in the transfer portal era. In his view, Michigan State’s ability to keep its core intact gives the Spartans a major edge over a program like Toledo, where development takes longer and turnover is part of the reality.
“Michigan State retains virtually all their good players. That’s not the case at [Toledo].
Freshmen always take time, but portal guys take a lot of time… Ray J Dennis is an NBA point guard and a good NBA player. He wasn’t great his first year playing for me.”
He also said Michigan State looks improved from a year ago, especially because of the way its lineup fits together now. Kowalczyk said the Spartans have more shooting, are tougher to guard, and remain elite on the glass. He also singled out Carr’s move to the four as a change that has helped the team.
“I think they’re a better team than [they were] last year. In my opinion, they have more shooters on the floor.
They’re harder to defend. Their rebounding is always elite.
When you look at Carr now playing more at the four, that really, I think, elevates their program and their team. Now they’re more skilled, versus having him play the three.
Give Carr credit, too. He went from a complete non-shooter to a respectable guy that you have to go out and defend a little bit… They’re in the gym working.”
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