SAD REPORT, The all time player for Michigan state Spartans basketball has officially announced his leaving due to his marriage 

SAD REPORT, The all time player for Michigan state Spartans basketball has officially announced his leaving due to his marriage

Charlotte, North Carolina — After a season-ending loss, there are lots of tears, hugs, and emotions in the locker room.

All of that was present in the Spartans’ locker room on Saturday night at the Spectrum Center.

Saturday’s 85-69 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s second round marked the end of Michigan State’s campaign.

Following the Spartans’ defeat, Tom Izzo and the Michigan State players said the following:

Tom Izzo: “I’m disappointed and confused. attempting to say something like, “Hey, you know what, it’s great your team fought back, your team didn’t quit.” They had every right to resign in February given the mistreatment they endured. I didn’t and now don’t hide behind any of that. We underperformed, in my opinion, and I bear a large portion of the blame.

“We came out and hit first, as we were talking about, hitting first and being the aggressors,” said Jaden Akins after the game. From there, we kind of let it get away. We managed to rejoin the game, but we were unable to put together enough stops to keep it close.

Regarding the explosive opening quarter of the game, Carson Cooper said, “I believe we were just playing Spartan basketball and taking advantage of some mismatches they might not have been prepared for.” The key, in my opinion, was our ability to make shots early on, Tyson’s ability to make a few jumpers, and Malik’s willingness to work in the post.

Regarding his coaching, Izzo said, “I just need to work harder.” I’m very disappointed in myself for not performing better. I’m not attempting to deflect any attention from them. All I have to do is work harder, and I will work harder.

Akins’ assessment of the season as a whole: “I think we underperformed and could have done a lot of things better.” We made an effort to get things rolling toward the end of the year, won the first game of the tournament, and I think we had a chance to win tonight but fell short.

“I’ll remember this season as a group of guys that fought every day, who battled a lot of adversity and came in with a hard hat every day and never quit,” said A.J. Hoggard regarding Michigan State’s squad.

Izzo: “I believe there were moments when you witnessed a really good basketball team, so I think this one will hurt a bit longer. We’ve always stressed consistency—consistently inconsistent—in this curriculum. I’ve got to be made to answer for that.