Tom Izzo Previews Road Test at Penn State: Spartans Focused, Not Fazed by Opponent’s Recent Loss
Michigan State heads back into Big Ten play this weekend, and Tom Izzo knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits his team. The Spartans will travel to Happy Valley for a noon tipoff against Penn State on Saturday, and while the Nittany Lions are coming off a lopsided loss at Indiana, Izzo isn’t taking anything for granted.
“You don’t judge a team off one game,” Izzo said Thursday during his media availability. “Especially not a young team that’s still figuring things out.”
That’s the tone Izzo struck throughout his session - measured, focused, and fully aware of the unpredictable nature of conference road games. He emphasized that Penn State, despite its recent struggles, is a well-coached squad with the kind of youthful energy that can rebound quickly. And in the Big Ten, that bounce-back can come fast - especially at home.
Finals Week Fatigue and the Challenge of Resetting
Michigan State hasn’t played since their loss to Duke, and Izzo acknowledged the timing of this next game isn’t ideal. With players just coming out of finals week, the focus hasn’t been solely on basketball. That’s a reality Izzo is used to managing this time of year.
“First game after finals - it’s always tricky,” he said. “Mentally, guys are drained. But we’ve had a few good practices, and I think we’re starting to get our legs back under us.”
That extra practice time has been a welcome break in the schedule. Izzo noted that the layoff has allowed the team to get in more reps, reset mentally, and work on some of the issues that surfaced during the Duke game.
Cam Ward Trending Up
One of the more encouraging updates came on the health front. Guard Cam Ward, who’s been working his way back from a recent injury, looked sharp in practice this week. In fact, Izzo called Thursday’s session Ward’s “best practice since the injury,” a sign that the Spartans may be getting a key contributor back to full strength at just the right time.
Ward’s return to form could be critical as Michigan State looks to sharpen its offensive rhythm. With the team still searching for consistent perimeter shooting, Ward’s presence and playmaking could provide a much-needed boost.
Shooting Woes and Searching for Confidence
Speaking of shooting, Izzo didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room - his guards need to start knocking down shots.
“We’ve got guys who can shoot it,” he said. “They just need to believe it. I think it’s coming.”
He singled out Jordan Scott as someone who’s shown promise in practice. “He’s got a good-looking shot,” Izzo said. “Now it’s just about confidence at this level.”
That’s been a theme for this group - flashes of potential, but still searching for consistency. Izzo remains confident that the work being done in practice will soon translate to game results.
Lessons from the Duke Loss
The Spartans’ last outing, a loss to Duke, offered plenty of teaching moments. Izzo said the team has spent time reflecting on that game, and the message was clear: everyone - coaches and players alike - could’ve done more.
“We all could’ve been better,” he said. “And that’s what we’ve been working on since.”
There’s no panic in East Lansing, just a veteran coach pushing for growth. The Spartans are still in the early stages of their journey, and Izzo knows December is about building habits that pay off in March.
What’s Next
Saturday’s matchup at Penn State won’t be easy, and Izzo isn’t pretending otherwise. The Nittany Lions may be young, but they’re scrappy, and they’ll be playing in front of a home crowd eager to see a bounce-back performance.
For Michigan State, this is a chance to show maturity - to take the lessons from the Duke game, apply the work from practice, and execute in a tough road environment.
Izzo’s been through enough Big Ten battles to know what’s coming. And if his team can match his focus and energy, they’ll be ready for the challenge.