At 29-2 and 19-1 in the Big Ten, this year’s Michigan team can enjoy the splendor of several unprecedented milestones and records. Near the top of that list — like an undefeated record on the road and the program’s wins record — is sweeping the season series against Michigan State.
Tom Izzo’s Spartans have been the class of the conference, and Izzo has a career record, officially, of 36-16 against the Wolverines. So, for Michigan to take two from its in-state rivals, even when compared to its other broken records, is a big deal.
“Guess the crowd didn’t watch the game because I’m nobody’s damn little brother,” Izzo said. “And neither is my team.”
The Wolverines haven’t won two regular-season games against Michigan State since 2014, and even that year, the Spartans took a rematch in the conference tournament for themselves. Granted, Michigan did win the one regular-season meeting and a Big Ten tournament matchup in 2018.
But more striking than any historical significance is the complete reversal from Michigan State’s spanking of the Wolverines last season. In year one, Michigan coach Dusty May was just unable to get up to speed with the rivalry in time.
Now, May knows it, and he owns it.
“I think it’s a great rivalry. I think it’s a lot of fun,” May said. “I didn’t know how big this rivalry was, and I know I caught a lot of heat from last year when I didn’t know their traditions after senior night. I knew they kissed the floor. I thought it was after the game. I assumed it was just like everyone else, where after the game you go through a ceremony, kind of how we did. But I didn’t know our own traditions here. I mean, I think if anyone knows me, I don’t even know what holidays are like. I don’t and so I can be, you know, whatever, criticized for it, whatever. And I probably need to do a better job on all fronts.”
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