Yardbarker
x
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo Doesn't Mince Words About Maryland In Story Shared By Spartans Player
Mar 8, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Buzz Williams looks on the court during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo Doesn't Mince Words About Maryland In Story Shared By Spartans Player

Originally posted on Maryland Terrapins on SI
By Jaden Golding  |  Last updated Apr 17, 2026 4:50 PM ET
Google Add us as a preferred source on Google

As if the Maryland Terrapins didn't want to already turn the page on a rough 2025-26 campaign, which saw the program finish with a 12-21 overall record and 4-16 in Big Ten conference play. The finish tied a program-worst for most losses in a single season, set in the 1941 season. Maryland made it to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament after defeating Oregon in the first round; however, they fell to the Iowa Buckeyes, 75-64.

However, head coach Buzz Williams has had a busy offseason of recruiting and moves to improve his program in year two, to get back to the high standards of Maryland basketball.

This week, Maryland was in the headlines courtesy of a conference foe. Michigan State freshman forward Cam Ward made an appearance on the Two Point Show Podcast, where he shared his Tom Izzo story, which many past and present Spartans share when under the Hall-of-Fame head coach.

Ward described a moment where Izzo "went off" on Ward for not doing something properly:

"He was like, 'You wanna be soft? You can go back to Maryland-go be a Terp. You soft Maryland kid. You wanna be a Terrapin? You wanna play for him (Buzz Williams)?"

Ouch, seems like Izzo didn't mence his words when describing Williams or the Terps program.

Although Ward doesn't specify the game where it happened, we can assume it was when Michigan State played the Terrapins.

The two programs met back in January at East Lansing, it was a 91-48 blowout in favor of the Spartans, one of the Terps' worst performances of the season, and one that fans and players wanted to forget quickly.

Why Maryland and Coach Williams?

One can only assume why Izzo mentioned the Terps and Williams; it could've been a heat-of-the-moment thing, with a young player messing up and you needing more from him. It could have been the type of basketball the Terps were playing in the season that Izzo wanted to make an example out of them. Who knows?

It was a hard season for Terps players, coaches, and fans, but it shouldn't have come as a shock when you have that much roster turnover after one season. Results can vary and take time to come to fruition, but if there is anyone more qualified to take that on, it's Williams, who's achieved runs in the NCAA Tournament with Texas A&M, Marquette, and Virginia Tech.

But all I can say is, I doubt it's personal, and Williams probably doesn't care; he has more important things to worry about at this point in April than a comment another coach made to their own player.

When the new-look Terps face off against the Spartans in 2026, they'll be much better, sporting an overall class ranked No. 1 in the country and the services of a potential superstar in the making in Baba Oladotun, who will be looking to shift the narrative of his hometown team.

Next year's matchup will be interesting to say the least, as I doubt Terps fans won't forget this statement.

Stay up to date with the Terrapins by bookmarking  Maryland On SIand follow us on Twitter.


This article first appeared on Maryland Terrapins on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.