Don't get lax, Izzo tells MSU players

EAST LANSING - After passing tough road tests at Bradley and Brigham Young last week, ninth-ranked Michigan State is taking a step back for finals week.

But a major showdown is looming.

On paper the Spartans (8-1) should easily defeat Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (4-4) on Saturday and then San Jose State (6-2) next Wednesday, Dec. 19 - both at Breslin Center.

"I could give you the generic coach's answer and say no," Spartan coach Tom Izzo said when asked if he was worried about his team looking past its next two opponents. "In the real world, I would say yes."

That should setup a battle of top 10 teams as MSU travels to the Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday, Dec. 22 to tangle with fifth-ranked Texas (9-0) in the annual Spartan Clash.

The Longhorns have been impressive this season blowing out then-No. 7 ranked Tennessee, 92-77, and following that with a 63-61 road win over then-No. 2 ranked UCLA, ending the Bruins' 25-game home win streak.

MSU's last match-up of top 10 teams came nearly two years ago on Jan. 6, 2006, when the seventh-ranked Spartans fell to sixth-ranked Illinois, 60-50.

Izzo feels having time away from basketball will do his team some good although the paranoid side of him is worried about this week's game against IPFW.

"The week off, I think, is going to be good for us - sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't," Izzo said. "Scary game on the weekend because how do you get upset? You usually get upset by the 3-point shot, and this team has a couple of guys that can flat out fill it up."

Against BYU, Izzo was pleased with MSU's offensive execution down the stretch and how they stayed in the game by controlling the offensive glass.

"We stayed in the game because of an effort-related stat, and that was offensive rebounding - namely Raymar Morgan and Goran Suton," Izzo said.

And while MSU held its turnovers down to 12, many of them were costly ones that led directly to baskets.

"As I looked at the film, turnovers definitely were an issue because they were sloppy and unforgiving ones," Izzo said

Izzo also said he plans to give freshmen wings Chris Allen and Durrell Summers more playing time, but he couldn't against BYU because, "We changed up some things on defense." Allen played just seven minutes and Summers played 10.

"We have to get those two involved," Izzo said. "One of my goals this week is to get those guys going."

BIG CROWDS: MSU played before two record-setting crowds last week. The rabid 11,597 fans at Bradley was the largest to ever witness a home game at Bradley.

In the win over BYU, a record crowd of 16,412 filled the EnergySolutions Arena, the largest ever to witness a game in Salt Lake City, Utah.

THE IZZO TREE: Aside from MSU's win over BYU, the Izzo's coaching tree had an impressive night Saturday.

Former assistant Brian Gregory led Dayton (7-1) past No. 14 Louisville, 70-65, denying Cardinal coach Rick Pitino his 500th-career win.

Former assistant Tom Crean also had a big night as No. 11 Marquette (6-1) went on the road and defeated Wisconsin, 81-76, ending the Badgers' 28-game home win streak.

"I was proud of both of them," Izzo said. "I talked to B.G. (Gregory) and he was still on Clould 9. That was a big win."

"It was a good night for the Spartans."

A NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER: MSU's group of post players has been called big men by committee, but that group may be growing. "Yeah, I want to add one more to that committee," Izzo said. "I want to get (Tom) Herzog in there."

HALFTIME SPEECH: A number of MSU players pointed to Izzo's emphatic halftime speech at BYU as a reason for their strong second half. Izzo had fun with it saying, "It wasn't as bad as you think. Chalkboards are still in place. Showers were still in place."

HUDDLE UP: Izzo mentioned the MSU players were growing. Even in the huddles there has been improvement. "I really enjoyed the huddles," Izzo said. "A lot of guys were talking... that's a positive sign because it means the guys are thinking the game."