Michigan State basketball responds to early tongue-lashing ahead of featured matchup

EAST LANSING – The lengthy delay for Tom Izzo to go from locker room to postgame press conference was a sign.

The Michigan State coach called out his team’s lack of energy in the second half of last week’s 79-60 win against San Jose State and promised the roster would be challenged. Less than 72 hours later, Izzo was a lot more upbeat about his team.

“We’ve had two of the best practices I’ve had in two years,” Izzo said after the team wrapped up on Sunday. “What will that mean? I don’t know but they got after it. And, by the way, they took it. And, by the way, they gave some of it, so that puts me in a good mood too, to be honest with you.”

This is a good time for No. 17 Michigan State (3-0) to answer an early bell with an annual marquee game on tap. The Spartans will face No. 9 Kentucky (3-1) on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s been physical, it’s been more focused,” point guard Jeremy Fears said of weekend practices. “I think we’ve just got to understand that we have to be more focused.”

Michigan State is the defending Big Ten champion but is still in the very early stages of testing a new roster. There are four starting spots seemingly locked up with returning co-captains in Fears, wing Coen Carr and bigs Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper.

Fears was exempt from Izzo’s postgame tongue-lashing after San Jose State crept back within 10 after being down 23 at the half. Fears is the guy running the show on the floor and there are hiccups to work through.

“A lot of new guys, (defensive) scouts and things change day by day,” Fears said, “so you can’t come in expecting to see one thing or another thing to happen. … I think the sooner we’re able to realize and understand that, we’ll keep getting better.”

Michigan State lost a lot of experience and guard play after reaching the Elite Eight last season. Jase Richardson wasn’t expected to be a one-and-done first-round NBA pick. Tre Holloman’s transfer departure for NC State was also a surprise so Izzo hit the portal with four additions.

From the seniors who have been with Izzo since day one to the newcomers, being called out after a 19-point win isn’t unexpected.

“They told me what they want to accomplish, that’s the difference with me,” Izzo said. “I don’t put goals up every year that are my goals. I say give me a piece of paper, tell me what you want to accomplish then I’ll work mine in within that. They tell me what they want to accomplish, it’s my job to hold them accountable to that.”

After dropping its exhibition finale at UConn, Michigan State won its first three games that count, including a ranked victory against Arkansas. The Spartans will leave the Breslin Center for an early national spotlight at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s always one of the most watched nights of basketball and I look at that as a privilege,” Izzo said. “Yeah, we had to earn it, but it’s still a privilege to play in it so I’m excited to go to New York, I’m excited to see where we are.”