Tom Izzo gave a special shoutout to the Breslin Center crowd for carrying the Spartans past Illinois on Saturday.
Nothing is better than a huge matchup at the Breslin Center. And that’s what we got on Saturday as No. 10 Illinois came to town to take on Michigan State. The Spartans needed to win to add to their lackluster resume, and they did exactly that by winning 88-80,
So many people deserve credit for the win in this game. AJ Hoggard had one of the best games of his career, Malik Hall was on fire, and Tyson Walker shined as he normally does. But Tom Izzo gave a special shoutout to the fans at the game, and man did they deserve it.
Tom Izzo’s message to the fans
Home court is a powerful thing in college basketball. I think the advantage of home court is overplayed in some sports, but it definitely isn’t in college basketball, especially for games at the Breslin Center.
I unfortunately wasn’t at this game, but it definitely felt like it while watching on TV. The crowd was ridiculously loud, especially in the second half, and you could hear it through the TV. Tom Izzo noticed this as well, and shared this message to the fanbase in his postgame press conference:
“Thank God for home court. Thank God for our fans.”
Care to relive one of those awesome moments from the crowd? Here is the fans reaction to a steal and layup by Tyson Walker late in the second half.
Michigan State has electric atmospheres like this a few times each season, but this one felt different to me. Maybe it was because MSU needed this win badly or that the home slate of gams this year have been sub par, but this felt like one of the best atmospheres of all time.
The next home game isn’t for some time as the Spartans next two games are on the road. But the fans are going to have to be ready to go once again when action does return to the Breslin Center. There is still work to be done this season, and the team will need as much help as they can get from the fans. And I have no doubt that the fans will be there for them every step of the way.
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