Michigan State hits the road this weekend, and Tom Izzo isn’t packing light - he’s bringing expectations. The No. 12 Spartans are heading to Seattle for a matchup with Washington, and if there’s one thing Izzo’s demanding from his team, it’s grit.
Last year’s West Coast swing didn’t go well. Michigan State dropped both games at UCLA and USC, and Izzo isn’t letting his players chalk it up to unfamiliar territory this time around. With USC and UCLA now fully integrated into the Big Ten, the novelty has worn off - and so has the margin for error.
“We’ve got to maybe be tougher and figure out how to grind it out there,” Izzo said. “The schedule doesn’t get easier, and we’re still one of those teams where our margin of error is still minimal.”
The Spartans come in at 15-2 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play, fresh off a dominant 21-point win over Indiana. But they’re not expecting a warm welcome from a Washington team that’s already deep into a brutal stretch - three straight games against top-15 opponents, and Michigan State is right in the middle of it.
Washington (10-7, 2-4 Big Ten) might not be where it wants to be in the standings, but this is a team with plenty of talent and a dangerous X-factor in freshman forward Hannes Steinbach. At 6-foot-11, Steinbach is a matchup nightmare - long, skilled, and relentless on the glass.
He’s averaging 17.9 points and leads the Big Ten in rebounding with 11.2 boards per game. Right behind him?
Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, who posted 16 points and 10 rebounds against Indiana and is pulling down 10.1 per game himself.
Kohler is the Spartans’ muscle in the paint - not a shot-blocker by trade, but a physical presence who’s been a rebounding machine with 10 double-digit rebounding games already this season. His ability to flip possessions and ignite transition offense is critical for a Michigan State team that doesn't have a go-to scorer but thrives on defensive identity and physicality.
Washington, meanwhile, is still trying to find its rhythm. The Huskies are integrating a roster that includes 14 freshmen or transfers, and the scouting report from previous years offers little value.
But reinforcements are arriving. Wesley Yates III, who had been sidelined with a wrist injury, returned to play 14 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to No.
4 Michigan. Jacob Ognacevic also made his way back from a foot injury, contributing 10 points in 16 minutes.
For Huskies head coach Danny Sprinkle, the challenge isn’t just finding the right rotation - it’s getting this group to believe they can finish games against elite competition. Washington started 0-for-10 from the field against Michigan and couldn’t dig out of the early hole, falling 82-72. But Sprinkle sees signs of progress.
“You know you have to get over that hump,” he said. “It ain’t good enough to just get close.”
That hump won’t get any easier with Michigan State in town. The Spartans are laser-focused on Steinbach, whom Izzo called one of the most talented players in the conference. Slowing him down is priority No. 1 - and Michigan State’s defensive game plan is built to do just that.
Washington’s backcourt has depth and scoring ability, with Zoom Diallo (14.9 points, 3.5 assists), Yates (13.8), and Desmond Claude (13.3) all capable of creating offense. But the Huskies have struggled from deep, shooting just 31.5 percent from three on the season - and only 27.3 percent in the loss to Michigan.
That plays into Michigan State’s hands. Izzo’s teams are built to protect the paint, limit second-chance opportunities, and grind opponents down with physical, disciplined defense. If the Spartans can keep the ball out of Steinbach’s hands and control the glass, they’ll be in good shape.
Still, Izzo isn’t taking anything for granted. He knows this time of year is when teams start to reveal who they really are.
“This time of year, teams start ... I either see an upswing or a downswing,” he said.
“Very few teams stay the same at this time of year. You’re either moving one direction or the other.”
Saturday in Seattle might not decide the Spartans’ season, but it will say a lot about which direction they’re heading.