Tom Izzo Gives Classic Response to Mick Cronin Sending His Player to the Locker Room

The longtime Spartans coach is never shy about giving a good sound bite.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo gave a great sound bite about Mick Cronin's decision to send a player to the locker room. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 15 Michigan State emphatically got itself back in the win column with an 82–59 home victory over UCLA on Tuesday night in East Lansing, Mich.

The Spartans, who entered as losers of three of their last four—including a 92–71 blowout defeat on the road at unranked Wisconsin over the weekend—led by 20 at halftime and cruised to a stress-free win to get off the schneid.

While the strong bounce back by Michigan State should have been the story coming out of the game, it was UCLA’s Mick Cronin making the headlines instead. Cronin sent forward Steven Jamerson II to the locker room with just over four minutes to play, taking exception to a technical foul committed by his big man in the midst of the blowout.

During his opening remarks after the game, Spartans coach Tom Izzo gave his thoughts on Cronin’s decision, as only he can.

“I felt for Mick. His team’s a lot better than that … and I guess he upgraded that to a flagrant 2, huh? That’s the first time I’ve seen a coach do it, but that sounds like Mick, so he’ll get that straightened out.”

Tom Izzo on Mick Cronin ejecting his own player:

“I guess he upgraded that flagrant to a flagrant 2. That’s the first time I’ve seen a coach do it, but that sounds like Mick.”

🎥: @TheSpartanMag pic.twitter.com/vkaxgzF1jF
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 18, 2026

The Spartans featured a balanced scoring attack on Tuesday night, who never relented as they cruised to victory. Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr scored 16 points apiece for Michigan State, while Kur Teng added nine points off the bench.

Michigan State hosts Ohio State this weekend, while UCLA heads home to battle No. 10 Illinois in the final installment of a three-game stretch against ranked opponents.

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