Michigan State’s Tom Izzo praises Greg Gard ahead of big matchup
The Badgers are coming down the stretch of the regular season and have their sights set on a Big Ten Championship. First though, they’ll need to get past the top dog in conference. Ahead of the huge matchup on Sunday between No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 8 Michigan State, Spartan head coach Tom Izzo gave his thoughts on the job Badgers’ head coach Greg Gard has done this season.
Tom Izzo give Greg Gard some high praise ahead of their game
“I think he should win Coach of the Year with what he did,” said Izzo. “I have been impressed with what he’s done with his team. He’s changed who he is a little bit, and who they are. But he’s got some very good players, he’s got some experience, he’s got some age and he’s got a couple guys that really came on.”
That’s strong praise coming from a Hall of Famer and a several time winner of various Coach of the Year awards himself. Gard and the Badgers were largely written off this preseason, and were projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten. But after hitting a home run in the transfer portal with John Tonje, and unveiling a new electrifying offense, Wisconsin has a real chance at a Final Four.
A Wisconsin coach has never won a Naismith Coach of the Year before, but Gard’s resume this season is hard to beat, especially if the Badgers finish first after projected to be in the bottom half of the conference.
The Badgers will face Izzo’s Spartans on Sunday at 12:30. There’s a lot on the line for both teams, and the winner could end up as the regular season champion.
