Tom Izzo shows state pride; backs Detroit teams and brings Spartans to face alma mater Northern Michigan
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has professed state pride by supporting Detroit-based professional sports teams. Whether it is the Pistons in the NBA, the Lions in the NFL, or the Tigers in the MLB, the former NCAA champion coach is rooting for these teams to do well and win every game.
Izzo was asked which among the Detroit teams he liked the most, and his answer was three-time NBA champions Detroit Pistons.
"Pistons, I always pull (for them), (I've been) a Packer fan my whole life, but it's hard not to pull for the Lions," Izzo said (as per Sports Illustrated).
"When in Rome, do like the Romans. So, I've become a Pistons fan. I want them to win. I believe anybody in our state that wins helps our state — almost anybody — but does help our state. And when the state's better, we're all better," he added.
Izzo and his team were at Comerica Park to watch the Detroit Tigers win Game 3 of their American League Division Series over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.
The Spartans are in the thick of their preparations for the 2024-25 college basketball season. They will visit Marquette, Michigan, to face Izzo's alma mater Northern Michigan in an exhibition game on Sunday.
Izzo expressed excitement about the upcoming clash, noting that he is excited to give back to his former school by bringing in his team for a tuneup game.
"I see where those guys were from. They never go where I'm from. And now, they're going get a chance, and maybe that helps them understand me a little bit better. And so, I'm excited about that, but I'm really excited that a lot of people from down here are going up," he said.
Tom Izzo gains first commitment for the 2025-26 season
Weeks before the 2024-25 college basketball season kicks off, Tom Izzo's Michigan State have the future on their minds as well. Recently, the Spartans gained its first commitment for the 2025-26 campaign in four-star recruit Jordan Scott.
The No. 52-ranked player in the nation decided to play for Michigan State over Big Ten foe Maryland and ACC team Virginia Tech (as per 247 Sports and WILX 10). Izzo aims to add more recruits before the class is finalized to strengthen his team in the future.
Scott, a six-foot-seven forward from Reston, Virginia, admitted that he's a fan of the veteran coach, which made it easier to choose the Spartans over the two other suitors.