Rutgers didn’t walk away with a win on Tuesday night - but they may have earned something just as valuable: the respect of one of college basketball’s all-time greats.
After No. 7 Michigan State survived a scare at Jersey Mike’s Arena with an 88-79 overtime victory, Tom Izzo didn’t spend his postgame press conference basking in the win. Instead, he turned the spotlight toward Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell and a young Scarlet Knights team that gave his veteran squad all it could handle - and then some.
Izzo’s Admiration for Rutgers’ Fight
Izzo didn’t mince words: his Spartans were outplayed and, in his own estimation, out-coached for long stretches of the night. Rutgers led for most of regulation and had Michigan State on the ropes, forcing overtime in a game that saw the Scarlet Knights’ energy and execution shine through.
What stood out most to Izzo wasn’t just the Xs and Os - though he had high praise for Pikiell’s game plan, especially the decision to go with a smaller, quicker lineup that gave Michigan State fits. It was the fight.
The toughness. The way Rutgers battled for every possession, refusing to back down from a top-10 opponent.
“This was a brilliant approach,” Izzo said, pointing to how Rutgers’ tempo and defensive pressure disrupted his team’s rhythm. And he didn’t stop there.
A Shoutout to the Freshmen
Izzo made sure to single out Rutgers’ freshmen - Harun Zrno, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers, and Chris Nwuli - as a group that impressed him with their energy, poise, and potential. Zrno led the way with 16 points, knocking down shots from deep and playing with confidence well beyond his years. Alongside him, Rutgers got strong contributions from Darren Buchanan Jr., Jamichael Davis, and Dylan Grant, while Tariq Francis came off the bench with a team-high 23 points in a performance that turned heads.
Izzo’s message to those young players was loud and clear: stay the course.
“If he keeps those four freshmen,” Izzo said, “they’ll be like Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears Jr., and Coen Carr. That’s what makes great teams.
So I’m gonna publicly tell those kids: stay put. You’ve got a good coach.
The fans were awesome tonight. That team is gonna get better.”
That’s not something you hear often - a Hall of Fame coach encouraging another program’s players to stick around. But it speaks volumes about how much Izzo respects what’s being built in Piscataway. He didn’t just see a team that played hard; he saw a foundation.
A Loss That Showed the Bigger Picture
For Rutgers fans, the loss stings. It was a winnable game - one where the Scarlet Knights had a real shot to knock off a top-10 team in front of a fired-up home crowd. And in a season that’s been filled with growing pains, close calls like this one can be tough to swallow.
But Izzo’s comments offered something else: perspective. From someone who’s built a perennial contender, his praise wasn’t just empty coach-speak. It was a nod to a program that, despite a tough season, is still doing the right things.
Yes, it’s been a frustrating year. The offense has sputtered at times.
The consistency hasn’t been there. And after a previous season that featured the one-year brilliance of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, the drop-off has been noticeable.
But what Izzo saw - and what he made a point to highlight - is that the core principles of development, toughness, and smart basketball haven’t disappeared.
Pikiell’s Blueprint Still Holds Weight
Steve Pikiell has built a reputation on defense, player development, and culture. And while the wins haven’t come as frequently this year, Izzo made it clear that the blueprint is still intact. What Rutgers showed Tuesday night was a glimpse of what could be - a young, hungry team that executed a sharp game plan and nearly took down a veteran-laden powerhouse.
That kind of performance doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of coaching, buy-in, and growth - even if it hasn’t translated into the win column just yet.
Izzo didn’t just compliment the Scarlet Knights. He validated the direction of the program and encouraged the young players leading that charge to stay committed. That kind of endorsement carries weight - especially coming from a coach who knows what it takes to build something sustainable.
Looking Ahead
Rutgers fans are right to feel the frustration. It’s been a challenging season, and moral victories don’t show up in the standings.
But Tuesday night showed something real. This young group isn’t just playing out the string - they’re learning, competing, and showing signs of what could be a very bright future.
If those freshmen stick around - and continue to develop under Pikiell’s guidance - the payoff could be big. And when someone like Tom Izzo tells you that, it’s worth listening.