On Friday night, Michigan basketball and Michigan State will meet in one of the most important games in the history of the rivalry.
It will be one of the most high-stakes matchups between the two teams. Michigan basketball and Michigan State are part of a four-way tie for first in the Big Ten with Nebraska and Illinois. This will also be the highest-ranked matchup ever between the two teams.
There was another game when they were ranked 4th and 8th. But the Wolverines are third in college basketball's AP Top 25, while the Spartans are 7th. Their combined ranking of 10th, between the two rankings, is the lowest it has ever been.
Michigan State has dominated the rivalry in recent years. Tom Izzo owned Juwan Howard. He's also started 2-0 against Dusty May. MSU dominated on the glass last season. It prompted May to make some of the moves he did, building a front court capable of winning a Big Ten championship.
That will be tested on Friday night. Izzo, talking to reporters, offered a reminder about what this rivalry is about, while maybe handing May some bulletin-board matertial, too.
Tom Izzo offers up bulletin-board material for Michigan basketball
"Of course, I hate them (Michigan). They hate us. The key word is "respect," and I do respect them a lot," Izzo said via Owen Oszust on X.
"Of course I hate them (Michigan). They hate us. The key word is "respect," and I do respect them a lot."
— Owen Oszust (@Owen_Oszust) January 29, 2026
Tom Izzo spoke on Michigan State's rivalry matchup with Michigan. @wilxTV pic.twitter.com/pqpRbx1I3v
The Spartans have won four straight in the series, all by double figures. The hatred between the two sides is genuine. So is the respect. This is Michigan's top rival on the hardwood, and this is a game Dusty May needs to win.
After Izzo's comments, and everything at stake, motivation shouldn't be an issue, at least.