The Michigan State men's basketball team defeated Oakland by a final score of 77-58 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday night.
The 19-point final margin does not highlight how tough the Golden Grizzlies — playing without forward Buru Naivalurua, who averages 12.6 points per game — played in the first half.
At halftime, Michigan State clung to just a one-point lead, 31-30. However, the Spartans outscored the Golden Grizzlies 46-28 in the second half to secure a runaway victory.
Michigan State is now 23-0 in the all-time series against Oakland. Still, it is stressful for MSU head coach Tom Izzo to go up against friend, OU head coach Greg Kampe, each year.
Izzo and Kampe wore matching "The Grinch" sweaters on Tuesday, which Izzo called "the ugliest sweaters" he's ever seen.
"There's part of me that hates this game, I said it every year," Izzo said about playing Oakland. "But, you've gotta give Kampe credit — the time he's put in there, the job he's done, the different lineups he's had to play, the injuries he's going through. I thought the kid —number seven, who's been out — (Isaiah) Jones (played well). I mean, this team's gonna be damn good in that league. I think it's gonna be really good."
Much more here:
michiganstate.rivals.com
The 19-point final margin does not highlight how tough the Golden Grizzlies — playing without forward Buru Naivalurua, who averages 12.6 points per game — played in the first half.
At halftime, Michigan State clung to just a one-point lead, 31-30. However, the Spartans outscored the Golden Grizzlies 46-28 in the second half to secure a runaway victory.
Michigan State is now 23-0 in the all-time series against Oakland. Still, it is stressful for MSU head coach Tom Izzo to go up against friend, OU head coach Greg Kampe, each year.
Izzo and Kampe wore matching "The Grinch" sweaters on Tuesday, which Izzo called "the ugliest sweaters" he's ever seen.
"There's part of me that hates this game, I said it every year," Izzo said about playing Oakland. "But, you've gotta give Kampe credit — the time he's put in there, the job he's done, the different lineups he's had to play, the injuries he's going through. I thought the kid —number seven, who's been out — (Isaiah) Jones (played well). I mean, this team's gonna be damn good in that league. I think it's gonna be really good."
Much more here:
Tom Izzo 'hates' playing Oakland, but has the utmost respect for Greg Kampe
MSU head coach Tom Izzo discussed his relationship with Oakland head coach Greg Kampe, and the Spartans' win.
