Spartans’ Tom Izzo not happy with defense of his SGs

EAST LANSING – Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo’s pause and smile said enough when he was asked whether his team is making defensive progress at shooting guard.

“No,” Izzo said simply after the pause, at his news conference after Friday’s 101-46 exhibition win over St. Cloud State.

Consider the defense of Alvin Ellis and Bryn Forbes to be priority No. 1 now that No. 18 MSU is in its first game week. The Spartans open Friday night at Navy in the Veterans Classic (9 p.m., CBS Sports Network).

“I was just disappointed, if I was to be honest with you,” Izzo said. “I just told Alvin … Bryn, as you know, his hand (is hurt), so he’s been out (of practice). He’s got a semi-cast on it for another little bit of time anyway. But Alvin, he’s a better defender and he’s better with the ball, and he’s just kind of playing kind of casual to me, you know? And I’m struggling with that a little bit. I’d say, right now, that’s our weakest spot, and we’ve got to improve that and, hopefully, he’s ready to work, because we’re gonna put some work in.” - Read more at Freep.com