MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during practice prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)Michigan State suffered its second loss of the season on Tuesday, when it fell short to Virginia Tech in the Maui Invitational. Despite entering this season with championship expectations, the Spartans already have two losses in just six games.
Tom Izzo’s squad lost its season opener to the Kentucky Wildcats in the Champions Classic. It’s not a bad loss for the Spartans when you consider how much talent the opposing side has.
As for yesterday’s loss to the Hokies, it’s hard to excuse the Spartans for what took place.
Following the game, Izzo issued an apology to Michigan State’s fan base, which had a large presence in Maui for this year’s tournament.
From ESPN:
“I publicly want to apologize to maybe the greatest fan group that was here,” Izzo said after Monday’s loss in Hawaii. “I feel like I let them down, and it’s been an interesting couple of weeks and we just weren’t as sharp today.”
“Well, I’ve said this for 20 years. Upsets happen,” Izzo said. “And that’s no insult to them, but it is an upset. Upsets happen.”
Izzo also pointed out that standout guard Cassius Winston struggled because of mental fatigue. This has obviously been a difficult time for him since his brother passed away earlier this month.
Winston bounced back for Michigan State on Tuesday afternoon as he finished with 28 points and eight assists in a win over Georgia.
