Joey Hauser shares how big game experience will help Michigan State vs. Marquette

Michigan State is in a place that the Spartans are all too familiar with. They will soon tip things off in Columbus against No. 2 Marquette with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line in the NCAA Tournament. With that much on the line, though, Joey Hauser says it’s not a place that he and his teammates are unfamiliar with.

Hauser spoke about Michigan State’s ‘big game experience’ ahead of their matchup with the Golden Eagles. He said their schedule, specifically in conference play, was a challenge that was specifically designed by Tom Izzo to prepare them for this moment.

“I think just being in close games? We had Kentucky earlier this year. That was a double overtime game. Gonzaga came down to the wire,” Hauser said. “(We’ve) played some big teams.”

“Obviously, the Big Ten season is a gauntlet in itself. So, like (Malik Hall) talked about earlier, Coach Izzo does it on purpose because it prepares you for March,” said Hauser. “That’s his goal. That’s what he wants to do.”

The Spartan’s schedule was filled with top competition this year. They led against the Armed Forces Classic against Gonzaga before losing it against the Bulldogs late. After that, they beat Kentucky in double overtime of the Champion’s Classic, lost versus Alabama in the Phil Knight Invitational, and then faced five more ranked opponents on top of the rest of the league’s competition in Big Ten play.

In other words, Hauser and the Spartans are ready and capable to play in a game that is as big as this afternoon’s. Whether it will have an effect and can actually help them pull it out, though, remains to be seen once things get going from inside Nationwide Arena with a spot in the East Regional up for grabs.

Izzo laughs off clipboard snap, explains reflection on MSU’s defense vs. USC

Defense was a major talking point for Tom Izzo and Michigan State coming into the NCAA Tournament. Now, after handling their business on that end in their 72-62 win over USC, the Spartan head coach couldn’t have been much happier with their effort.

In his postgame interview, Izzo explained his behavior when it came to snapping a clipboard in the second half. While he said it was all for the love of the game, he also pointed out how it was a moment that was reflective of how hard Michigan State wants to coach its players.

“It’s just part of the fun. I’m glad you’re making fun of me. But I love it,” Izzo joked. “You know what? We’re gonna coach our guys. We’re gonna do what we do. Not letting them get away with this and that. We’re gonna be hard on them because defense wins games.”

In March Madness, it only takes one mistake to send you home. The more you do on the defensive end, though, the better off you’ll be, which is something the Spartans learned this afternoon as they went out and earned themselves a spot in the next round.