Michigan State University (MSU) head coach Tom Izzo had much to say about all things Oakland University after the Grizzlies’ 79-62 defeat to the Spartans on Monday, Dec. 18, at the Breslin Center.
OU has squared off against MSU 22 times in program history. The teams first matched up in the 1998-99 season. Ever since, the teams have played each other almost every year.
The last season both teams didn’t play each other was in the 2011-12 season, marking 12 straight seasons the Grizzlies, led by head coach Greg Kampe, have battled with Izzo and the Spartans.
“I’m a huge Kampe fan,” Izzo said. “I pull hard for him all the time, except when they play us. There’s been so many big games, and so this, for me, was a big game. We were concerned about it. Didn’t sleep much over it. He does a phenomenal job, just at a place that doesn’t get the ink most do.”
In addition to having a history with Kampe, Izzo has a history with Rocket Watts. Before transferring to OU ahead of the 2022-23 season, Watts donned a Spartan jersey for two seasons from 2019-2021. Notably, Watts had been recruited by Izzo ever since he was in the eighth grade.
“I was happy for some guys, believe it or not… I’m a Rocket Watts fan. I loved Rocket when he was here. I think Greg and Rocket deserve a lot of credit. He played so much more under control, so they did a better job with him than I did. He’s under more control, solid defensively, he didn’t force things. I told him afterward it was fun to watch him, even though I was ticked off there at the end when he hit some big shots.”
Blake Lampman, a Haslett resident before his time as a Grizzly, played high school hoops just six miles from the Breslin Center and also impressed Izzo on Monday night.
“I’ve been impressed,” Izzo said. “I think he’s missed two-thirds of their games; he’s only played in four games or something like that, maybe five. But he’s got a confidence about him — he’s always a threat, puts it on the floor just enough to hurt you. He’s solid. I was really impressed with him. I was impressed with him on film, but we didn’t have as much on him, but I walked in the locker room, and I said, ‘Damn, kid makes a lot of shots.’ And he does it at game speed.”
Lampman’s return home to square off against the Spartans mirrors one of Izzo’s experiences early in his career as a head coach at MSU. Before coaching the Spartans, Izzo was an All-American guard and assistant coach for the Northern Michigan University (NMU) Wildcats.
“I told our team, I don’t like playing against Rocket [Watts], I don’t like playing against Greg [Kampe], I don’t like playing against Lampman even though I don’t know him as well, but I know what it’s like to come home,” Izzo said. “When Michigan State caved on Northern Michigan University, my third, fourth game of my sophomore year, that’s still a highlight of my life, you know? Even that first half when we [Northern Michigan] were still in the game, the second half wasn’t as good. But I just know what it’s like to be home and I thought he did a great job.”
Expressing empathy for OU’s close contests, Izzo acknowledged the challenges of being on the brink of victory in numerous nail-biting games. Although the Grizzlies have never beaten the Spartans, three of their losses have been by four points or fewer.
“So, for those here that are here from Oakland, this thing isn’t going to last forever, and when I say I feel for them because they have been in so many games that have been right down to the wire, tonight wasn’t, and I thought it would be. I’m sure when I talk to Greg, he thought it would be. But they’ve got a good team, and in their league, they’re going to do well. I’m hoping and pulling for him, same with Rocket.”
In a sports world often marked by fierce competition and rivalries, Izzo’s commendations serve as a refreshing reminder that, sometimes, the true victory lies in the camaraderie shared between opponents.