Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, front left, moves in on the attack as Northern Michigan University’s Derek Merwick, right, and teammate Brandon Trilli, behind Merwick, play defense during a college men’s basketball exhibition game at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sunday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

Despite a valiant effort from NCAA Division II NMU, the Division I Spartans were just too physically superior and emerged with a 70-53 win. The exhibition, however, was more than just a basketball game played on a football field, it was a significant event for the community and a personal homecoming for Izzo.

During the game, the Spartans wasted no time asserting themselves, quickly building a 5-2 lead within the first four minutes. Though Northern fought to keep pace, MSU’s defense often stifled the Wildcats’ offense. By the halfway point of the first half, the Spartans extended their lead to 18-8, prompting NMU to call a timeout to regroup.

The Wildcats found themselves trailing 31-19 by halftime. Fouls and turnovers hampered their momentum, while MSU’s defense continued to impose its will, keeping Northern in check throughout. NMU’s standout player in the first half was Jackson Dudek, whose timely 3-point shooting kept the Wildcats within striking distance.

The second half began with MSU increasing its lead significantly, going up 45-23 after a long scoring drought for NMU. A relentless defense, something Izzo’s teams have come to be known for over the years, continued to pressure the Wildcats, forcing NMU into tough shots and turnovers.

Northern Michigan University athletic director Rick Comley holds the framed jersey of Tom Izzo’s, which has been retired by the university, on Sunday in the Superior Dome in Marquette. Izzo, second from left, stands with a number of family members, including his wife, Lupe, left, and his 98-year-old mother, Dorothy, between Izzo and Comley, along with Izzo’s son Steven, right, who played for the Spartans from 2019 until this year. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

With just under 12 minutes left, the Spartans maintained a comfortable 50-25 lead.

But the Wildcats showed resilience, clawing their way back to bring the score to 54-28 midway through the second half. A series of free throws and layups helped narrow the gap to 57-35 as the ‘Cats refused to give up, though eventually MSU would ice the game with a late 3-pointer for their final 17-point margin.

“It really wasn’t about the game this time,” Izzo said in postgame remarks. “Now, I have to go analyze the film, and then it’ll be about the game. But right now, it was about bringing a bunch of people together and being able to say thank you, thank you for helping mold me.”

Izzo, whose jersey was retired by NMU during the weekend, acknowledged that the honor was about more than just his coaching success.

“Most people do that when they scored 20 a game and win national championships,” Izzo said with a smile. “I don’t think just a gift, but I think it was a different kind of jersey retirement. I think they looked at my entire book, not just a chapter or two, and but there’s a lot of guys more deserving of it than I am, and I don’t say that humbly. I said it honestly.”

Michigan State coach and Northern Michigan University alumnus Tom Izzo embraces Spartans head hockey coach Adam Nightingale at courtside before a college men’s basketball exhibition game played between Izzo's Spartans and NMU at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sunday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

Though humble about his own accomplishments, Izzo’s legacy is undeniable.

He has had opportunities to coach in the NBA and at other prestigious colleges, but his loyalty to Michigan State and his roots in the Upper Peninsula have kept him grounded.

“I’ve had chances to go to more than a few NBA teams,” he said. “And yet Michigan State’s been good to me and my old boss, (Spartans former head coach) Jud Heathcote, used to say a good deal is when it’s a good deal for you and a good deal for me. I do think I’ve been a good deal for Michigan State.”

For Izzo, the lessons learned growing up in Iron Mountain and his time at NMU shaped not only his coaching philosophy, but also his outlook on life.

“I hate entitlement,” Izzo emphasized during the postgame press conference. “You aren’t going to find many entitled people of where I’m from, and I’m damn proud of that.

“You know, if you earn it, you get it. But entitlement means you haven’t earned it yet, and you expect it, and there’s a process and a journey to be successful in whatever we do. You, me, everybody else, and it’s getting a little lost right now, but I’m vowing to bring it back.”

Despite the final score, Izzo shared his respect for the NMU men’s basketball team and the tenacity the Wildcats bring.

“They cut as hard as anyone we play,” he said, praising NMU coach Matt Majkrzak’s team. “He’s going to compete for a league championship again. You watch. He’s a good coach.

“His team plays hard. He’s got a couple good additions. I’m not saying it to blow smoke. I like this team. I said in my huddles a couple times, I said it at halftime, I said at the end of the game. So, I think Northern’s back rolling.”

As the crowd in the Superior Dome roared throughout the game, Izzo reminded everyone that events like this are about more than wins and losses.

“People had fun today,” he said. “You know, we’ve done some crazy things, and those crazy things were memories that I’ll have for the rest of my life. Today, today may top all of them.”

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.