Tom Izzo’s first Big Ten game came against Bob Knight’s Hoosiers in 1996, and after upsetting Indiana, he was prepared for the worst.
“You know my first game was Indiana at home, they were good, we weren’t, and we upset them. Everybody told me boy if that happens you’ll see the other side of him (Knight),” Izzo said in November after Knight passed.
“I never saw that other side of him, he was nothing but an incredible human being to me, to my program. Helped me in a lot of ways and I think that’s the hardest thing as I watch the passing of Bob, of Coach Knight.”
The Michigan State head coach showed up in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday wearing an “RMK” pin on his shirt as a tribute to Knight during Indiana’s 65-64 win. And this time it was Izzo who was ready to extend a helping hand to one of Knight’s former players.
Izzo was clearly aware of last week’s news Mike Woodson was going to be retained by Indiana for a fourth season.
The 69-year-old Izzo was asked about the impact Kel’el Ware had on the game, and he immediately jumped to Woodson’s defense. Izzo said it was “mind-boggling” Woodson was on the hot seat.
“I give Mike (Woodson) credit,” Izzo said. “Somebody’s gotta stick up for him for coming back next year? What a joke.”
Ware’s size and efficiency was too much for Michigan State on Sunday. He poured in 28 points and added 12 rebounds for just the latest in a run of dominant efforts by the 7-footer.
When it looked like Michigan State might run away with the game in the second half, it was Ware who scored 10 straight points for Indiana to keep them afloat.
“He (Woodson) did a hell of a job with Ware,” Izzo said. “He deserves a lot of credit. I played against Ware last year (when he was with Oregon), and he wasn’t very good. He’s kind of like our kid, (Xavier) Booker. I think that strength, and he’s tougher. Earlier in the year he was okay, but the last half of the year he has been a force to reckon with.
“I give Mike a lot of credit and Ware a lot of credit on that.”
Ware has been far more efficient from the field as a sophomore under Woodson. His overall field goal percentage has jumped from 45.7% to 59.9%, and he’s improved from 27.3% from three to 44.7%.
Most of Ware’s per-40 minute averages are up as well, including points (16.8 to 20.2), rebounds (10.3 to 12.3), and assists (1.3 to 1.9).
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