For all of Tom Ezo’s success in college ledge basketball, there was one thing he never did: win at Cameron Indoor Stadium against Duke.
Until Tuesday.
The No. 8 Michigan State Champion Classic came back from a nine-point start to beat No. 6 Duke 75-69 in the first game.
“We came down here to win the game,” said Izo, who was 0-3 in Kazron. “I think I’ve done poorly over the years. I either hyperide for the game or give them more credit. I think we were a good team that could beat them. I think they have a good team, but I thought our defense and our depth – and that’s how it turned out. “
It also marks the first victory at the Duke of Michigan State, the previous three attempts coming under Izo.
It was Duke’s third non-fiction conference home loss since 2000, but second in the last two seasons after losing 85-83 to Stephen F. Austin last November. Cameron had no fans at the indoor stadium for Tuesday’s game, but that would not be far from Izo’s victory.
“I know one thing: I don’t put this as a star.” “It was a good win for us against a good team, a great program and a very well trained team.”
Rocket Watts made his way to Michigan State with 20 points, but Joy Hauser and Malik Hall were both double-doubles and Aaron Henry finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steels.
Henry said, “For the deeds he did for me and whenever he had my back, behind closed doors, on my face, not on my face, he could at least do it for me.” “He has helped me more than win for him tonight. I really appreciate him. I’m happy for the coach and his career, and I’m glad I’m one of the players who won him here in Cameroon. With the fans or It’s a difficult place to win without what I understand, and it was still tough. But I’m glad it happened, and I’m glad I can do it with it. “
Michigan State turned it seven times in the first 10 minutes, helping Duke get into the easy basket to move to the early lead. But once the Spartans settled and stopped allowing the Blue Devils to get points in transition, the momentum turned to Michigan State. Duke could not score consistently against a fixed defense and the Spartans put pressure on the offensive end, became more aggressive with the ball and attacked the basket.
Duke scored just 5-23 from a 3-point range, and the only player to find a way to make a consistent score in the second half was Matthew Hurt, who finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
“I felt like we had a huge jump from our first game,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “We have to be good right now. I’m not disappointed in my team. They came to win, and they didn’t win. But we lost to a really good team.”
Michigan State has made a stronger-than-expected start after all-American point guard Cassius Winston and fellow draft pick Xavier Tillman bid farewell. Returnees have taken further steps, particularly Hall and Watts, while Joshua has experienced the return of Langford and the arrival of Hozer.
And on Tuesday, Sofmore made a difference with the emergence of Julius Marble. Aras played a total of six minutes in the first two games, but he came off the bench to get 12 points in 12 minutes against Duke.
“He’s another person I’m very proud of,” Izzo said. “He’s a hurricane. We put him on the scout team … and he took full advantage. Was he surprised? No, I’ve seen this for two weeks. He’s smart, he’s athletic, he’s got one thing. What I like; it’s hard. “
David Hale of ESPN contributed to this report.
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