ST. LOUIS – Coaches, and Tom Izzo in particular, talk about getting “punched in the mouth” early in games – but this was a headlock and several jabs to the jaw.
Middle Tennessee State did everything right for five astounding minutes. Michigan State did everything wrong. And it was Midwest No. 15 seed Blue Raiders 15, No. 2 seed Spartans 2 before some of Tom Izzo’s players seemed to grasp what was happening to them.
That start loomed largest two hours later, when it was over – arguably the worst loss in Michigan State men’s basketball history.