Sports

Michigan State's Tom Izzo says his 13th-ranked team could go from good to great this season

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, left, talks with Adreian Payne during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana defeated Michigan State 75-70. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Gary Harris late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana defeated Michigan State 75-70. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says his team has a chance to go from good to great.

Izzo hasn't always believed that this season.

The Spartans stayed at No. 13 in The Associated Press' poll on Monday.

Izzo saw a lot that he didn't like when Michigan State won 17 of its first 20 games. He was more encouraged about a 75-70 loss Sunday at Indiana that snapped a six-game winning streak.

The Spartans were down by two points late in the game despite their leading scorer, Keith Appling, having fouled out.

Michigan State hosts Illinois on Thursday.

___

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larrylage