EAST LANSING -- Tom Izzo walked to the postgame podium with one topic foremost on his mind on Sunday night, and it wasn't his team's 106-82 win over Florida Gulf Coast.
What concerned the Spartans' Hall of Fame head coach was the way the game was officiated, and in particular new rules emphases that led to multiple extended stoppages and three flagrant fouls being assessed against Florida Gulf Coast.
"I think it's sad what we're doing to the game," Izzo said.
In Izzo's view, this season brought more rules changes and emphases that favor offense against defense, a continuation of the "freedom of movement" style rules of recent years that have led to tighter rules on what defenses can do.