Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Champions Classic: Tom Izzo on beating Duke without fans: “I know one thing, I’m not gonna put this as an asterisk”
By JACOB POLACHECK
After knocking off Duke at Cameroon Indoor Stadium with no fans in the building, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo says he is ‘not gonna put this as an asterisk’.
“I know one thing, I’m not gonna put this as an asterisk.”
There may not have been any Cameron Crazies in the building, but that’s not changing the way Tom Izzo looks at his first win at Cameron Indoor: pic.twitter.com/QmSrhOESMB
“I’m sure the Crazies could’ve made it even crazier, but I think the Izzone could make it crazy at our place too,” Izzo said in a virtual press conference Tuesday evening after the No. 8 Spartans defeated No. 6 Duke 75-69 in the Champions Classic behind a 20-point showing from sophomore guard Rocket Watts.
“We’re losing out some. I know one thing, I’m not gonna put this as an asterisk. No fans or fans, it was a good win for us against a good team, great program and a very, very well coached team.”
With the win, Izzo now has a 3-12 head-to-head record against Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
“Big win on the road against a good team. I give our kids credit and my staff credit for this win,” Izzo said. “It wasn’t the prettiest, but it was a grind-it-out Michigan State win, and as our offense gets better I think we’re going to get a lot better.”
