Tom Izzo lays huge praise on Terps, expects an Xfinity Center crowd "on steroids" for Michigan State-Maryland
"...I think the crowd there is a big difference when they're winning and when they're losing. And so I'm expecting it to be Illinois, Michigan on steroids. I really do. I really believe that. You remember that student section on the end, it's impressive..."
The Maryland men's basketball team will play one of its most highly anticipated games in recent years Wednesday night when it welcomes Michigan State to town.
It will be a top 16 matchup between the 16th-ranked Terps (21-6, 11-5 Big Ten) and No. 8 Michigan State (22-5, 13-3 Big Ten). Spartans head coach Tom Izzo met with the media Monday for a 31-minute press conference. He broke down the upcoming matchup in College Park, praising Maryland's starting five and the XFINITY Center crowd.
"But as far as Maryland goes, this might be the best starting five in the league," Izzo said. "If you look at three guards that are shooting over 40% from the three, [Selton] Miguel and [Rodney] Rice, and [Ja'Kobi] Gillespie is as talented as any guard in this league. And then their two Bigs are guys that we've – played against [Julian] Reese for three years. This is his fourth year. He's big, strong. He's gained weight, he's averaging 14 and nine. And [Derik] Queen is talked about being a lottery pick. He's big. He's a freshman. He may be as good as any in the league. He's averaging 16. So, they're averaging 16, 30 points and nine, nine and a half rebounds between the two of them. Now they do play a lot of minutes. Their depth has been – they haven't played as many players or as many players with minutes. Hopefully that would be an advantage, although they've had a pretty long rest now, they had from Thursday on. So, both teams should be ready to rock and roll, and I still think it'll come down to us not turning it over. They play some pressing, zone pressing. They'll play a little zone. They'll play a lot of aggressive man. I think Kevin [Willard's] done a good job with this team, putting them together and – but we're excited too. They haven't lost a home game, I think, since early in November against Marquette. If you remember a few years ago, we went there when Cassius [Winston] was here, and when they're winning, that place is rocking. And I think it'll be rocking."
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One of the big contrasts in Wednesday's matchup that Izzo was asked about includes the two minutes differences between the two squads. Maryland has a thin bench, and all five starters play at least 27.8 minutes per game. Michigan State goes 10 deep, and no one averages more than 26.3 minutes per game.
"I mean, they run," Izzo said. "They rest their guys, I guess sometimes because they'll run, and then if they don't have a break, they'll walk it up. They'll play some zone, I think, to give their guys some breathers. There's no question, our depth should help us, but their talent is at a high level. Like I said, most coaches I talk to in the league say they may be the most talented starting five in our league. I don't know, our league, I mean, you look at it and it's just so many good teams, and yet so many teams have gone up and down a little bit, but I'm expecting them to be aggressive. I'm expecting the place to be rocking, and I'm expecting them to come at us, and that's why we're going to pray, prepare."
Maryland has been as hot as anyone in the country, having won four straight games, eight of their last nine games and 10 of their last 12 games. Izzo was asked about Maryland's recent stretch and the effects a hot streak could have on the way a team plays.
"Michigan was on a good run. We were on a good run and won 13 a row and went and laid two eggs out west. I think it's beneficial. You're feeling good about yourself," Izzo said. "I think the crowd there is a big difference when they're winning and when they're losing. And so I'm expecting it to be Illinois, Michigan on steroids. I really do. I really believe that. You remember that student section on the end, it's impressive. And so, I think, hey, when you've only lost one game at home, that was to Marquette early. When you haven't, when you're playing your best basketball right now – the last five games, they're shooting a tremendous percentage from both the field and the three. They're shooting well from the free throw line, they get there. And our stats are very even in every area, except, of course, the three-point shooting favors them. So, the rebound battle, I think the missed shot is going to be very important. They got two guys that can gobble those up. We're going to have to be solid in that, and hopefully we can take it at them a little in there and get somebody in foul trouble with the extra depth we have."
