What Tom Izzo said after Michigan State smashed NDSU in March Madness
· Yahoo Sports
Michigan State basketball is moving on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans physically dominated North Dakota State in the first round on Thursday, March 19, dunking their way to a 92-67 rout of the Bison in Buffalo, New York.
Visit forestarrow.help for more information.
But anyone who follows Michigan State basketball knows that a big win does not always equate to a happy Izzo.
The Spartans will have Friday off before a tight turnaround to face Louisville on Saturday afternoon in Buffalo again.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Izzo's NCAA Tournament press conference:
What Tom Izzo said about Michigan State's March Madness win vs North Dakota State
"We did the job and we got some points off our bench. So when you shoot it well from the field, shoot it well from the three and shoot 89 percent from the line, I don't know what our rebound total was, it wasn't probably physical -- yeah, plus 12, so it was a good win for us."
On Carson Cooper's growth into a rim-runner and his skills on offense:
"The greatest growth, I think, has come each year, as they alluded to, when you stay in a program and you get better each year.
"I think he went from liking the game to loving the game, and now he's spending more and more and more time. And you usually get what you deserve, you get what you earn, you get what you work for. It's an amazing concept.
"Coop has gotten better. He's gotten better – at one time he couldn't make a free throw, then it was jump hooks. Now he's got a variety of shots, the baseline one, the lobs. Him and Jeremy, remember when he used to not be able to catch the ball? He's a really good athlete for a kid that size.
"It's been fun to watch him grow, and now when he's getting his best, he's only 21 years old. I still think his best basketball is ahead of him. I don't know, the way he can do it now, maybe I can petition or get a judge or something to rule and get him back, who knows."
"Just kidding."
On knowing that there's a school out there that wants to make beating Izzo and MSU its claim to fame:
"First of all, you want to be my publicist with all the good things you said? I could use you.
"You know what, I'm blessed. I really am. Listen, we've got a bunch of guys that the last couple years have just hung together and worked together. I've been on that Division II – I used to play North Dakota State when I was in Division II, drove all the way up there 500 miles to scout them from Marquette. I have a great appreciation for what Dave has done there. He's done a hell of a job, too.
"If they would have beat me, I would have shaken their hand and walked off because I've learned there's a lot of good players everywhere, and some of the upsets already that happened today, I don't take anything for granted. I've been a part of those upsets, and I've been a part of doing the upsets.
"I like when people are shooting at you. That means you're somewhere. To be in the top that we've been, at least right there where it matters if somebody beats you, trust me, that's a good thing. I don't want to be the other thing anymore. I was that early in my career. It's not as much fun."
On whether the Spartans 'played desperate' against North Dakota State, and whether that made him happy:
"I really was. I was happy with the practices we had going in. I took the blame because I thought we did not do as good a job defensively, and that's been our forte forever.
"When you start making baskets, I think you get fooled that you can win games different ways. You can win them different ways, but to win consistently, where you've got to come in night in, night out, play in different arenas, domes, this arena, pro arenas, you'd better bring your lunch bucket and your defense and your rebounding.
"And that's what we've done most of my career. I didn't think at the end of the year we did it as well. I don't know why. But I had to look in the mirror and say I wasn't pushing them as hard maybe.
"So we got back, we had meetings. We talked about it. My radio guy said to me, you look like a team that played desperate. That's a great thing, man. That is OK. If we can play desperate on Saturday, I'd be happy as hell."
On the Spartans' transition offense and setting a fast-paced tempo:
"Yeah, our fast break starts with our defense, though. That's what people don't realize. When you defend well, teams don't get into the paint as much. When they don't get into the paint, your cut-outs are easier because your bigs aren't helping. And when your cut-outs are easier and you rebound the ball, Jeremy is electric when you get it out to him.
"I didn't even think Coen ran as hard early, and we got on him about that. But I thought the guy that ran well, Coop and Cam. I thought Cam did an unbelievable job getting out over the top and had some great plays.
"But it is a big part of our game. Everybody has got something they do really well offensively. And for us, you talk about running plays, I could care less if we run any plays. I'd like to just get our fast break going and make that the biggest part of our offense."
On Jeremy Fears Jr.'s passing and how it fits within MSU's offense:
"You know what, I give them credit. I think some of it comes through free-styling. I'll give us credit, I think a lot of it comes through the defense. We have the ball in his hands a lot, and I trust him with it. He does a great job with it. I think he trusts me.
"But those other guys all play their part. When Coen is running down that left lane, somebody is looking, and then you get Coop down the middle. We struggled a little bit today. We've got to get Kur going a little bit more, we've got to get Jordan going a little bit.
"But when the ball is in Jeremy's hand – and I thought Denham Wojcik came in and did a great job. He had a couple of big baskets, he had a couple big passes.
"There weren't many guys that didn't play pretty well. It was probably – as you asked the question, it was Trey Fort, one of his better games, not just offensively but defensively. And it's amazing when shots go in, you feel a little better about yourself, and I think it helps your defense.
"Yeah, our break, Jeremy is running it, like any good quarterback. But I think we both have a part in it, to be honest with you."
On playing senior Nick Sanders and the Walton twins late against the Bison:
"Well, most of you don't know, but I screwed that up on senior night. It's very important to me. I don't like Nick, I love Nick. The other two are younger. But Nick has done a lot for this program. He's been here five years. He's done a lot academically, he's done a lot socially, he's done a lot in the locker room. As I've said 100 times, he went from Barry Sanders' son to Barry is now Nick Sanders' father, and that's pretty cool.
"I think Barry likes that, but I know Nick – if you ever spend any time with him, one of the most humble human beings I've ever met. It was very important. I was mad that he didn't take that shot in the corner, and he's been making shots.
"All in all, it was a great game for us. But don't leave thinking that North Dakota, they didn't play as well today. They missed shots. That is a very well-coached, a very good team. I really loved them on film. Put it this way: They had Big Ten prep from us. That's how much respect we had for the coach, the program and the players in it.
"We'll try to move on now, and tomorrow I'll talk to you about Louisville."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What Tom Izzo said after Michigan State smashed NDSU in March Madness