Fair or Foul? Tom Izzo quotes Bo Schembechler during MSU basketball's 'Senior Day'

Could anyone other than Tom Izzo get away with this?

This past Saturday, after Michigan State men's basketball defeated Ohio State to conclude its regular season, Spartans coach Tom Izzo raised my eyebrows and drew some uncomfortable murmurs while addressing the Breslin Center crowd on 'Senior Day'.

After praising his senior players — Malik Hall, Tyson Walker, Jason Whitens and Joey Hauser — Izzo noted the adversity that the group had battled through over the past few seasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries.

Izzo also lamented the lack of banners that Michigan State had raised over the previous two seasons, but said the Spartans had the chance to raise a couple soon with the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments, due in no small part to the fact that these seniors chose to tough it out and return for another season.

“There’s a process to this whole thing," Izzo said. "Sometimes it takes longer than others but, I guess it was Bo Schembechler – I hate to say it – but ‘Those Who Stay Will Be Champions’.”

My first thought was, "Isn't it kind of sacrilegious to quote Bo Schmebchler around here?" My second thought was, "Could anyone other than Tom Izzo get away with that?"

I intended to ask Izzo both of those questions at his post-game press conference, but never got the opportunity. So I'll present the question to you, Spartan fans — What do you think about Izzo, a Michigan State basketball legend, quoting the former and legendary Michigan football coach?

While Izzo's quote of Schembechler drew that murmer at the Breslin Center, other parts of his address to the crowd were met with universal cheers and applause.

“It’s been an incredible year, one we’ll look back on and say, ‘We had the toughest schedule in the Big Ten. Ranked No. 1 [schedule] in the Big Ten. We dodged no one.’ These guys fought through those injuries and the things we went through," Izzo said.

“On ‘Senior Day’ we’ve raised quite a few banners around this place. We’re not going to raise one today, but there’s a tournament coming up. In fact, there’s another tournament coming up after that. So, as they say, ‘We’re not dead yet.’”

After something of a slump in January and early February, Michigan State quietly went 5-2 in its final seven games in the regular season. That provides some momentum for the Spartans heading into "March Madness", and Izzo is confident in his team.

“We appreciate your support. We love you," the head coach said. "There’s room for a banner up there… There’s room for a banner. Let’s go to work!”