Jan. 21 (UPI) — Coach Tom Izzo made a noteworthy comparison during a timeout for Michigan State, telling one player that he couldn’t even defend against his 99-year-old mother, Dorothy.
Izzo delivered the remark as the Spartans gathered for a timeout in the first half of their 68-52 victory against the Oregon Ducks on Tuesday in Eugene, Ore. He directed the comment at sophomore guard Kur Teng.
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«Kur, you can’t guard my mother,» Izzo stated during the timeout, which was captured on film by Fox Sports.
Izzo also attempted to energize the Spartans’ offense during the break. The Michigan State Spartans outperformed Oregon with a shooting percentage of 57.1% compared to 39.2% as they secured their fifth straight win. The contest saw seven lead changes and was tied on three occasions.
The Spartans had an edge with 30-20 in points in the paint, 10-2 in fast break points, and 8-7 in second-chance points.
Teng did not take a shot but accumulated two fouls and a turnover in eight minutes on the floor. The 6-foot-5 sophomore played roughly four minutes in each half.
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Senior center Cooper Carson led all scorers with 19 points. Junior forward Coen Carr and redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Senior guard Takai Simpkins was the top performer for the Ducks, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Izzo, in his 31st season at Michigan State, expressed disappointment over the Spartans’ leadership during the game in the postgame press conference. He critiqued their ball movement and turnovers, although he acknowledged they played commendable defense overall.
«No, that’s the unfortunate truth, she lacks game, and he [Teng] still couldn’t guard her,» Izzo remarked.
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Izzo also asserted he was «as serious as a jaybird» when asked about his joking demeanor. He hoped that the jab provoked Teng and inspired him to improve his play.
«We are all heading back to East Lansing, Mich.,» Izzo stated. «He’s off to Appleton, Wis. Check USA Today tomorrow. He and my mom will be tussling in a nursing home gym, and we’ll see how [Teng] performs.»
With the victory on Tuesday, Izzo elevated his career win total to 754, placing him at No. 22 in Division I history. He is just five wins short of former Western Kentucky coach E.A. Diddle.
He is merely three wins away from achieving his 25th season with at least 20 wins with the Spartans.
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Izzo’s No. 10 Spartans (17-2, 7-1 Big Ten) are set to host the Maryland Terrapins (8-10, 1-6 Big Ten) at noon EST Saturday in East Lansing, Mich. The Ducks (8-11, 1-7 Big Ten) will face the Washington Huskies (10-8, 2-5 Big Ten) at 3 p.m. Sunday in Seattle.
