No. 9 Michigan State is in an unfamiliar spot right now, having lost consecutive games for the first time all year. The Spartans will have a chance to get back in the win column when they host an Oregon team that is on a losing streak of its own.

Tom Izzo came out of Los Angeles with his team's first two losses, but also with a lot of information about his team and how they can move forward. Michigan State will host Oregon on Saturday with a chance to rebound after the long road trip,

It was the second loss in Big Ten play for Michigan State, and a season-defining win for UCLA, as the Bruins took down the Spartans on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. After the game, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin talked about the win, and then had some very interesting comments on how relationship with Tom Izzo, who he spoke extremely highly of.

After an upset win over Michigan State, Tom Izzo defended UCLA basketball head coach Mick Cronin for his coaching style.

LOS ANGELES — Mick Cronin said he knew he was actually in the Big Ten when, at the conference’s media day back in October, he ran into Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. Izzo is the longest-tenured head coach in the Big Ten. He took over for the Spartans when he was 40 years old. He’s 70 now and in his 30th season at the helm.