Izzo still not sold on Spartans after 72-60 win

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The Wofford Terriers came to East Lansing looking to give the MSU men’s basketball team a dogfight. And, for most of the night, they did.

The Terriers hung tight with the Spartans most of the way, despite being outdone in most of the key statistical categories Friday night. MSU eventually pulled away in the late stages of the game, as the No. 9 Spartans captured just their second win in the last four games — a 72-60 victory at Breslin Center.

“I have a lot of respect for (Wofford head coach Mike Young) and the job they did,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said after the game, disappointed in the Spartans’ performance. “That was impressive to me
and I thought his team played with the heart — I don’t think my team did.”

MSU shot 55 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Terriers 43-23.

Senior forward Raymar Morgan continued his hot streak, pouring in a season-high in points (19) and rebounds (11). It was the third consecutive game in which Morgan scored 17 or more points.

“It’s coming back; I’m getting healthy each day,” Morgan said. “I think I’m a versatile player and coach is allowing me to do a lot, so everything is starting to feel good.”

The night was off to a memorable start before the tip when senior guard Isaiah Dahlman met his brother, Wofford junior forward Noah Dahlman, at halfcourt for player introductions.

From there, the Terriers jumped out to an early 9-4 lead behind the leadership of Noah Dahlman before the Spartans regained their composure, going on separate 7-0 and 8-0 runs in the first 20 minutes. MSU headed into the locker room at half, leading 31-26.

“All we need is that fire,” junior guard Kalin Lucas said. “The first five minutes is real key for us right now. If we start out real good, I think our team is just going to keep rolling.”

Lucas finished with 13 points and nine assists.

The Spartans appeared poised to break away early in the second half, surging to a 43-33 lead after a 3-pointer and free throw from Lucas, but the Terriers, in turn, cut the lead back down to two.

Again, the Spartan went on a small tear — this time, a 8-3 spurt highlighted by lay-ups from junior center Tom Herzog and junior guard Chris Allen — to force a Wofford timeout at the 10:14 mark.

“That’s a team that’s going to go a long way,” Young said. “If they won the whole blasted thing, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised. For our guys to come in here and compete … and give ourselves a shot is testimony to toughness and grit of our boys.”

That time, the margin stuck and the Spartans coasted the rest of the way.

Still, Izzo was displeased with the team’s performance rebounding from a loss at North Carolina as MSU prepares to head back onto the road to face The Citadel on Monday (7 p.m., ESPNU).

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” Izzo said. “Not insurmountable work. But we’ve got to start playing for the name on the front, not the name on the back and start playing unselfish and with a little more passion. That’s what I’m going to work on tomorrow for many, many hours.”

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